Sarah is a true miracle for her family. After years of fertility challenges, her parents, Andrea and Dave, finally made their family dreams come true through embryo and domestic adoption. Just as their second child was about to be officially adopted at six months old, they received the unexpected and exciting news: they were pregnant again.
Their joy quickly turned into heartache when they learned their baby girl would be born with Down Syndrome and several congenital conditions that would require multiple surgeries. When Sarah arrived five weeks early, she needed immediate surgery and spent twelve weeks in the NICU. The first years of her life were filled with hospital visits and surgery after surgery, with nine operations by the time she turned four. But Sara was tough! She fought through these early struggles and has flourished into a vibrant and healthy seventh grader. Today, she loves swimming and rock climbing and can often be found spending time with her sisters and her extra special furry friend, her Stink Bug dog Dakota.
Andrea and Dave first learned about The Stink Bug Project through a friend who adopted a dog through the Colorado Correctional Industries K9 Training Program. Their own dog, Dakota, needed additional training to manage his excitement, which sometimes overwhelmed Sarah.
“Dakota would get really worked up and bark, and that would upset Sarah,” Andrea explained. “It was hard to see her distressed because she loved Dakota so much.”
Though finances were tight, Andrea recognized that training Dakota could significantly benefit Sarah. Thanks to The Stink Bug Project, a program of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Health Foundation, they were able to get Dakota the training he needed.
Witnessing the bond between Sarah and Dakota has been heartwarming. Sarah finds comfort and companionship in her furry friend, which has been invaluable, especially since she doesn’t have many friends. This special connection is made possible by our incredible community of supporters who care deeply about pediatric patients and their families, who might need a little extra comfort from a dog.
“We are so grateful,” Andrea said. “These people must really love dogs. Their generosity is heartwarming, and it’s inspiring to know there are people who want to help kids, dogs, and families. It’s truly a full-circle program.”
