Jaiden’s Story

Jaiden was one of four children, full of life and excitement and experiencing the normalcy of school, little league and family vacations. When in September of 2015, Jaiden unfortunately contracted meningitis and throughout the months it was a struggle getting Jaiden to respond to nurses, doctors and even her own parents, she was clinically diagnosed as being in a vegetative state. 

During her time in the hospital, there was a therapy dog that would make rounds once a week and her parents noticed when the dog would visit, Jaiden would follow the dog with her eyes and reach out. So, the response they were looking for with nurses and doctors was not there but would appear when the therapy dog was around which was amazing to see.

Eventually Jaiden was released from the hospital still with the occasional maintenance check ins, but still with no real improvements in the original diagnosis. Her parents began their search for a therapy dog for them to bring into their home and for Jaiden to improve with. During her search, Jaiden’s mom found that the organizations in which they were looking to work with were saying because Jaiden was not ‘conscious’, and because her child couldn’t respond to the dog, she was considered ineligible or unqualified to receive a dog. Bella’s Buddies was so saddened to hear that news being that we work with people in similar conditions and we have seen that dogs can connect and communicate when even the most intelligent humans cannot. 

Amanda and Tommy decided to place a buddy not only with Jaiden but with her family who have all endured this new process that not only is emotional but physical and financial as well which can be an extremely difficult adjustment. 

We have so much appreciation for the strength of Jaiden’s family and things they have withstood to ensure Jaiden has the opportunity to gain part of that personality and life that she was living before. We truly believe that with this puppy, Jaiden’s quality of life will improve and the dog will allow her to communicate her needs once again.