Three Kids, One Dog, and a Ripple of Hope
When Kaylie, a mother of three, began navigating life with her children: Wesley (5), Logan (10), and Lilyanne (15), all on the autism spectrum—she knew creativity and resilience would be key. Together with her husband, Scott, Kaylie developed strategies to help her children thrive. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic upended their routines, it brought significant challenges, particularly for Logan, who struggled to leave the house.
“He had regressed to the point where he wasn’t leaving the house,” Kaylie recalls. Life became a balancing act, with the family dividing tasks to manage their children’s needs. Seeking solutions, Kaylie, a lifelong dog lover, considered a service dog. After discovering Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines, she was inspired by their mission and applied for a dog—unaware of how profoundly their new family member would impact their lives.
HADLEY: The Lab-Golden Retriever with a Big Heart
The Schmidt family’s journey to meet their service dog, Hadley, began with a 10-day training program in California. Leaving her children in Minnesota was no small feat for Kaylie, but the experience of meeting Hadley made every challenge worthwhile.
“One of the hardest parts was keeping my kids calm while we waited,” Kaylie says. She stayed connected to her family through Facetime, and when Logan first saw Hadley on the screen, his emotional reaction brought the family to tears.
Hadley, a Labrador-Golden Retriever mix, turned out to be the perfect match: playful, friendly, and highly skilled. Upon returning home, Hadley seamlessly integrated into the family, quickly becoming an invaluable support system.
A Diagnosis and an Unexpected Role
Just a week after Hadley joined the Schmidts, Kaylie received devastating news: she had Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. While her prognosis was positive, she would require months of chemotherapy. During this challenging time, Hadley stepped up in ways no one could have predicted.
“For those first six months, she worked for me just as much as for the kids,” Kaylie shares. Hadley provided comfort during chemotherapy sessions while continuing to assist Logan and the other children.
Hadley’s skills, such as deep pressure therapy, proved transformative for the children, helping to alleviate sensory challenges. “Sensory input can be overwhelming or underwhelming for kids on the spectrum,” explains Kaylie. “If they’re struggling, I can position Hadley to lie across their laps or feet to calm them down and make them feel secure.”
Bridging Gaps and Building Connections
Beyond providing therapeutic support, Hadley has been a powerful social tool for the Schmidt children. Pre-trained with commands like “wave,” “bow,” and “fist bump,” Hadley helps the kids navigate social interactions.
“The nuance of social interactions is complex for kids on the spectrum,” Kaylie says. “Most people like dogs, so Hadley is a great way for them to meet people and connect.” The family even created stickers featuring Hadley’s face to help foster engagement.
Hadley also eases daily stressors by assisting with tasks like fetching shoes or helping with laundry, reducing anxiety around demand avoidance—a common behavior in children with autism
A Life of New Possibilities
Hadley’s impact on the Schmidt family has exceeded all expectations. What began as a quest to support Logan has grown into a transformative experience for the entire family.
“When I applied to get Hadley, I simply dreamed of going to the grocery store without issues,” Kaylie reflects. “This year, we went to Disneyland for an entire week, staying until the park closed every day. Hadley even got to come on some of the rides with us!”
Hadley has given the Schmidts more than stability—she’s given them hope, joy, and the confidence to dream bigger.
“We had accepted our reality of being unable to do things together as a family,” Kaylie says. “Now, my husband and I get to experience our children together. We just dream bigger—I see so much more on the horizon than I did before.”
The Schmidts’ journey is a testament to the transformative power of service dogs and the unyielding love of family.
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About Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines
Guide Dogs of America | Tender Loving Canines provides expertly trained service dogs to individuals and families at no cost. Learn more about our programs by visiting our page HERE.
