When John Poston watched his son Blake and daughter Margot go off to college and leave Margot’s twin, Michael, behind because of Down syndrome, John knew he had to do something. “It’s not right. My other children were going off to have fun, socialize, learn, and Michael was at home watching television,” said John. With years of experience in real estate behind him, John got busy developing Daymark Living for adults with IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities).

But the story begins really after Michael was born, when there was no pre-school that would take him.
“We heard about a pre-school in Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Rise – where Gene Stallings (famed Alabama football coach) and hiswife Ruth Annwereheavily involved,” saidJohn.Hewent to Tuscaloosa with his former father-in-law, John Duncan, and they witnessed a four-year-old with Down syndrome reading and writing. They looked at each other and said, “We’re in.” The non-profit Rise school in […]

Courtney Craig, 214-259-4658
June 5, 2018
DALLAS, Texas

Canine Companions for Independence has placed the Lone Star State’s first facility dog trained specifically for a community of adults with special needs.

The non-profit organization’s South Central Region trained and placed a Labrador/Golden Retriever cross named Yoshi with Daymark Living, the DFW area’s first neighborhood for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

Opening this summer, Daymark Living provides a state-of-the-art residential community dedicated to helping adults age 18+ with IDD live, learn and thrive, in an all-inclusive environment that includes housing, education, and connections to employment.

“Yoshi was specifically matched with Daymark because of her calm and gentle temperament,” said Erin Christensen, Canine Companions for Independence Apprentice Instructor. “She has been trained in interactive commands and skills that her handler can utilize with residents, and with her affectionate personality she will love interacting with residents to provide fun and a sense of comfort.”