March Gallagher, who is Hannah Berryan’s attorney, said that simple things could ultimately save families’ anguish, and the state agencies seem to have difficulty working with state money.

“When (advocacy agency) Care Design…inquired back to OPWDD whether or not a seizure dog, in particular, could be supported,  they were told ‘no,’” said Gallagher, who also is Ulster County Comptroller. “Once (advocates) got involved, suddenly OPWDD said, ‘actually a seizure dog could be paid for, but we’ve never done it before, and we can’t really provide you with an example of a successful application.’”

The Daily Freeman | 9/15/21