When Wally and his parents Kimberly and Charles visited ECAD and met several of the Service Dogs-in-Training, 

they knew immediately that an ECAD Service Dog will increase Wally’s independence and quality of life.

Meet ECAD Client Walter “Wally” Fick

Wally was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in 2016, a few months before he turned three years old.  Now, at age seven, Wally LOVES everything about the alphabet and numbers.  He also loves art, yoga, and playing with Thomas trains.  He has a little brother, Leo, who is four and a half years old, and another little brother, Theodore, who was born at the end of March, 2021. Wally is very affectionate and has the best giggle you have ever heard!

Wally loves to explore and be outside.  He is a great climber and fast runner.  Sadly, adventure out-of-doors is a huge challenge for us because Wally often elopes (runs away) when we are outside.  Going to new places gives Wally a lot of anxiety, so more often than not we stay inside so that Wally is safe. 

For Wally, having an ECAD Service Dog would mean freedom in ways he has not yet experienced.  We are grateful for ECAD and excited for a dog to be trained to anchor Wally and walk with him so that we can go outside and explore new places.  Thank you for helping us give Wally and other autistic children like him more independence and freedom! We greatly appreciate your generous support.

 Thank you for your generous gifts to ECAD in honor of Wally Fick.