FRANKLIN, Mass. — A Massachusetts family is making an unexpected trip to Raleigh to pick up a service dog that was supposed to be specially trained for their son with autism.
However, the 8-month-old dog was not fully trained.
Tim and Kristie Maxfield raised more than $15,000 from donations to get Teddy from the Raleigh nonprofit RyCon.
The Maxfields hoped Teddy would prevent their 6-year-old son from running out into the busy street they live on.
The family later learned the company was going out of business and Teddy was not fully trained.
RyCon describes its service dogs as hearts of gold wrapped in fur.
[Boy's service dog poses for adorable yearbook photo]
"I care very much about this family, but the business itself has simply become unsustainable," said RyCon owner Mark Mathis.
The Maxfields are concerned the dog will not be able to help their son.
"I'm in the moment right now, trying to deal with this crisis. So, I can't comment on what I'm going to be able to do in the future except to say, I will do all I can," said Mathis.
"At this point, $15,000 has been wasted. Money other people gave us, trusted, to help our son, has not been spent on a puppy," said Tim Maxfield.
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