The Wood’s Story
A Girl & Her Dog
by Maddie Epply
What comes to mind when you hear the words foster care? For me, I see kids being loved and supported by foster parents. For Jeanna Wood, she sees her Goldendoodle, Penny Sue, lying on the floor, snuggling against her 3-year-old daughter with sensory processing disorder (SPD).
When her daughter, Ella Kate, came into Jeanna’s care, she was a micro-preemie; not even preemie diapers would fit her. Ella couldn’t even fit in a car seat. She only got a day’s notice before getting Ella and had nothing but oversized clothes from the last foster baby that came into her care. She did the only thing she knew to do. She went right to Sammy. With the help of Sammy Laney, owner of the DEB Project, Jeanna was able to get diapers, socks, and words of hope.
"Sammy stopped and hugged me and said, “You’re okay,” and I’ll never forget that,” Jeanna said. “Ever since then, Sammy’s just walked along side us in our foster care journey.”
Sammy spent countless hours working to find diapers and socks that would fit, which made a huge impact on both Jeanna and Ella. The only way Jeanna could explain Sammy’s impact was she went above and beyond for their new family member, something that Jeanna never even had to ask for.
After a while, Jeanna started noticing Ella having issues. She would get upset if there was a lot of noise, or if her shirt had a tag on it that itched her skin. Ella was diagnosed with SPD, a disorder where her brain has trouble receiving information through her senses, making it difficult and even painful for her to feel safe in her surroundings. When discussing options, the doctors suggested a therapy dog, but unfortunately, Jeanna knew her family couldn’t afford something like that. Then, out of nowhere, Sammy’s words of hope came back once again.
I just remember Sammy saying, “Oh, by the way, it’s taken care of,”’ Jeanna said. “I started crying and thinking, I’m so thankful that there’s someone else that loves my
baby as much as I do.”
So, through the DEB Project’s Unleashed Therapy Dog Program, Jeanna was able to find a haven for Ella. Something, or rather someone, that calms Ella when she’s upset, or makes her feel safe in hard situations, or gives her the companionship she so desperately needs.
Jeanna said that Penny Sue gives not only Ella comfort, but gives Jeanna comfort, too. She performs tasks that Jeanna can’t. Ella has trauma with cars, so when Ella feels unsafe and gets upset while Jeanna’s driving, Penny Sue will lay her head in Ella’s lap. Or, since Ella has recently discovered how to open doors and go outside, Penny Sue will start barking to get Jeanna’s attention.
Jeanna said Penny Sue has been the best thing for Ella. And thanks to the DEB Project, now Ella and Penny Sue can have more fun things to do together. Last Christmas, through the DEB Project’s Christmas Tree Project, Sammy was able to get a sponsorship from a local church to help Jeanna get what she needed. Ella wanted a trampoline, which Sammy provided. Now, when Ella needs to regulate herself, she can jump on the trampoline in her room – with Penny Sue. The two bounce and bounce and bounce almost every day.
Jeanna laughed and said it’s like a circus in her house. Ella’s happy with her new best friend and loves coming to the DEB Project (she never leaves hungry!).
Still, the relationship between Ella and Penny Sue is much more than just friendship. What Jeanna and Sammy have come together to do is much more than a relationship. It’s giving a child a life they deserve, all with the help of a furry little friend.