How a Service Dog Helped a Child with CACNA1C-Related Disorder (Timothy Syndrome) Gain Independence – with Sue Bresnahan
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!
