'Huge animal lover' Landon Schust qualifies for a service dog

The Schust family is asking for public support to help their son Landon in an enjoyable quest: he's qualified for a service dog.

“Landon is a huge animal lover,” said Kendra, Landon’s mom. "Having a service dog for him not only will help with his balance and independence, but he’ll have a best friend he can rely on."

When three-year-old Landon Schust was just a newborn — born seven weeks early — testing showed he had feeding issues and apenea bradycardia, meaning a period when breathing stopped with a slow heartbeat caused by a drop in blood oxygen level. After a month in the hospital, he was able to come home and join his twin brother, Parker.

Landon did well for the next two-months, but his battle wasn’t nearly over. An MRI showed that a stroke on the left side of his brain brought weakness to his right arm and leg. At two-years of age, he had difficulty keeping his balance and tired easily. Adding to that, he also began having uncontrollable seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy.

Due to the generosity of family, friends, and the caring public, Landon attended intensive therapy sessions at the Neurological & Physical Abilitation Center (NAPA) in Boston.

Ups and downs

Recently, he started having uncontrollable seizures that have gotten significantly worse, lasting longer and longer, and his rescue medication isn’t working. He was put on a breathing tube due to a cluster of seizures lasting three hours.

“Landon’s health continues to have its ups and downs. January was our most devastating health care scare,” said Kendra. “We still live everyday in fear, waiting for the next seizure to happen.”

Lastly, Landon has recently been diagnosed with autism, having a hard time soothing himself, screaming and crying for as long as 45-minutes, in addition to self-harm.

Having a companion dog would certainly make life much brighter for Landon and his family.

“Landon is a sweet, silly, brave, and motivating little boy,” said Kendra. "Having a seizure alert dog will alert us when Landon is having a seizure. This will help him gain a little more independence and a little peace of mind for mom and dad, especially at night! Importantly, the service dog will help soothe Landon when he is having a hard time calming himself down, and finally, he’ll have a best friend he can always count on when he is feeling alone."

With the dog’s price totaling $17,000, the Schusts, Kendra and Timothy, are hoping the community will join them in covering the cost. The agency they’re working with, 4 Paws for Ability, will accept mail and online donations.

Make checks out to 4 Paws for Ability with “Landon Schust” on the memo line, mail to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Avenue, Xenia, Ohio 45385. Or go online at mightycause.com/story/4paws4landon. To aid in travel costs to Ohio and other expenses, checks can be made out to Kendra Schust and mailed directly to 700 County Route 1, Pine Island, N.Y. 10969 or online through gofundme.com.

“To see Landon enjoy his life like a ‘normal’ little boy is the best feeling,” said Kendra.