Service dogs are often associated with guiding the blind or assisting with mobility, but their impact goes far beyond traditional roles. In this episode, I’m joined by Sue Bresnahan, a pediatric nurse and rare mom, whose son has CACNA1C-related disorder (Timothy Syndrome). When they welcomed Yammy, his service dog, into their family, everything changed. Yammy didn’t just provide companionship—he unlocked a level of independence and confidence that Sue never imagined possible for her son.
Sue shares their journey, the process of getting a service dog, and why families of kids with disabilities should consider this life-changing support. If you’ve ever wondered how a service dog could help a child beyond the traditional reasons, this episode is for you.
In This Episode, We Discuss:
✔️ Sue’s journey as a rare mom and navigating CACNA1C-related disorder (Timothy Syndrome)
✔️ The unexpected ways service dogs can support kids with disabilities
✔️ How Yammy transformed her son’s independence and confidence
✔️ The process of getting and training a service dog
✔️ What families should know before pursuing a service dog
✔️ Overcoming challenges and misconceptions about service dogs
✔️ Advice for families considering a service dog
Resources & Links:
📌 Learn more about CACNA1C-related disorder (Timothy Syndrome)
📌 Service Dog Organizations & Resources - ECAD
📌 Connect with Sue Bresnahan - Instagram
📌 Want to support Once Upon a Gene? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts & share this episode!
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