DELPHOS, Ohio (WLIO) — The Do-Right Motorcycle Club is helping a local family move closer to obtaining a specially trained service dog for a 4-year-old boy with autism.
The club recently hosted its Ride for Autism fundraiser, with proceeds benefiting Carter, a young boy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The $500 will help his family purchase a service dog that can provide emotional support and assist with his safety.
Club President Robert E. “Red Hot” Ordwey said supporting causes like this aligns with the organization's mission of service and charity.
“This is something my founder would want us to do. Everybody in this club, every member in this club has a heart of gold and then we preach that quite a bit and that's why they're here today to do we are a service and charity club and they all wear the heart on their sleeve,” says Robert E. “Red Hot” Ordwey, Pres., Do-Right Motorcycle Club.
Carter’s parents said the donation brings them one step closer to securing a service dog named Remy, which is being trained through R.B. K9.
“The service dog's going to mean a lot to him, not only to us but to him as well in terms of safety, his elopement, helping him regulate with his over stimulation. It's not just a service dog that you can take into Walmart with a little bow. This is a full K-9 trained dog which is going to help him in many ways,” says Mark Tassell, Carter’s dad.
According to R.B. K9 trainer Ryan Hefner, the dog will receive specialized training to help locate Carter if he wanders away, a common safety concern for some children with autism.
“But we're going to make this kind of a dual-purpose dog. So, if Carter was to run away, I'm going to put this dog on live odor. They can start the search right away. Whether he just be down the road in the weeds or out in the woods, something like that. All they got to do is give the dog command and he starts searching,” says Ryan Hefner, R.B. K9.
Tassell said the fundraiser also helps shine a light on autism awareness and safety concerns related to elopement.
“There's not enough communication, there's not enough awareness about autism, elopement, safety. A lot of people see kids running around and think that they're just playing, and it's far more than that. It could be a kid running for sensory reasons, going to going to water, they're completely unaware of dangers," adds Tassell.
The Do-Right Motorcycle Club plans to continue its charitable efforts with another ride scheduled for June 13 to benefit the Veteran Food Pantry.
“This is kind of what we do. We are a help us, help others club. Kindness goes a long way,” adds Ordwey.
Those interested in supporting Carter's service dog fund can donate through a GoFundMe page established to help cover the costs.
