The Best of Buddies
Special things happen when least expected. Now 15 years-old and silently non-verbal, Max Hank was diagnosed with autism at 22 months. With special challenges, Max has traveled many places for medical treatment and visiting family and friends. Since age 5, Max's best buddy is in fact named "Buddy", his trained golden retriever service dog.
At 11 years-old, Buddy was reaching his golden retirement age and it was time for him to begin training a new companion dog that would continue special care of Max. Max's parents, Stephen and Christine began thinking about adding a new canine to the family.
The Magic Moment Didn't Take Long
Dr. June Paradise Maul raises and trains a special breed of German Shepherd and donates available puppies to the Seena Magowitz Foundation for pancreatic cancer research fund raising.
At the 2010 SMF Celebrity Golf Classic, "Brianna" was that special puppy that would bring joy to its new family. Little did anyone realize that Brianna was destined to become Max's new service dog, companion and friend to Buddy, his aging golden retriever.
Max's Mom, Christine is the receptionist/customer service representative for Dr. Daniel Von Hoff at Clinical Trials Virginia G Piper Cancer Center in Scottsdale.
Love at first visit. Six-month old Brianna became a new member of the Hank family in 2010. Max was tasked with training Brianna and they have developed a strong personal bond. Buddy has also worked with his new canine friend to make sure that all expectations of a service dog are accomplished with safety, security, convenience and continued love.
Buddy is now enjoying his retirement while Brianna takes the major role of caring for Max. No doubt Buddy knows that Max will be in "great paws". Max takes great care of both of his "buddies" including feeding and continued training of Brianna.
Although Max remains mostly non-verbal, over his 15 years he has learned to read, write, and express love and hopes. He has a deep personal and spiritual connection with God, friends and family.
According to Max and his parents, Stephen and Christine, "These times have brought special magical moments."
Max typed this at school
at the beginning of September 2011.....
“Max is my name.
Up to me to be true self.
At ACT School we access learning.
We teach our brain and really, we each want real teaching.
Hope is found in yourself.
Very smart, I want each person to see me.
To type shows the real Max.
Time shows the real, true me.
Body tells lies, not tell true, nice Max.
The Max thank you.”
About Dr. Jane Maul:
Dr Maul shows, and on occasion breeds German Shepherd Dogs, as working dogs and family companions. All of her dogs are from Germany or are German Bred. Her dogs are all house pets and puppies are raised in her home and office. She competes with her dogs in Schutzhund. And some of her dogs are also shown in Sheepherding. Dr Maul’s dogs are all trained in Schutzhund by Tino Reinke -- who trained dogs for Schutzhund, police work, drug detection, and service work and has competed in Germany for over 20 years.
