Pet store donates dog to help autistic boy
CAPE CORAL, FL - A family has cleared one hurdle in their search to get a service dog to help their autistic son.
Maxwell Cushion, 3, was presented with a 9-week-old goldendoodle puppy on Thursday courtesy of thePetland store on College Parkway. The goldendoodle is created by breeding a golden retriever and standard, miniature or toy poodle.
Victoria Cushion, Max's mom, said the donation helps the family reduce the expected $15,000 cost of dog and training to about $10,500, a daunting figure for the family nonetheless.
"We will keep fundraising until we have enough," she said. Fundraising efforts continued on Thursday with a bingo event from 5-9 p.m. at Valerie’s Lounge, 17264 San Carlos Blvd., on Fort Myers Beach. The event was planned by the Lewis P. Tabarrini Children's Music Outreach Foundation with proceeds going to Max's service dog fund.
There is also a Gofundme.com page that as of Thursday was at $2,470.
Max's mom is dedicated to getting what is needed to help her son. "There's always a car wash," she said. "I have faith that this will all work out."
Petland owner Mary Rhoades said she read the story in The News-Press on Mondayabout Max's plight and decided to offer the family the dog.
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