Everett and Woofster at ball game - AAD.jpg

Woofster plays her first baseball game with Everett Bradford, 6, of Madison, Ala. Bradford was born with spina bifida and can't walk unaided. HIs parents launched a crowdfunding campaign to get him a mobility service dog. (Courtesy of Highland Canine Training | autismassistancedog.com)

On a white dry-erase board hanging on Everett Bradford's bedroom door was a countdown. He watched each week as the number grew smaller and the day drew closer when he would finally get the dog he'd been dreaming about since he was 4 years old.

He knew he would name her Woofster - after a character on one of his favorite shows - and that she would be his best buddy. She'd be there to help him when he fell down, to open doors when he had trouble with them, to comfort him when he got scared.

Last week, the day finally came. Woofster's trainers brought her to Alabama from North Carolina. When school let out Thursday afternoon, Woofster was outside the school waiting for Everett.

A trainer caught the moment on video, as Everett, 6, hopped toward Woofster on his bright green crutches, giggling and exclaiming "There she is!"

It was a day the Bradfords had been anticipating for more than two years. Everett isn't your average first-grader and Woofster isn't just any dog.

When AL.com first met Everett, he was a rambunctious 4-year-old with Thomas the Train sneakers and brightly-colored leg braces. He had just learned to use a walker because he couldn't walk on his own.

Everett was born with spina bifida, a congenital condition that caused nerve damage in his spine and left him partially paralyzed from the waist down. "He doesn't let it slow him down," said Mandy at the time - an observation as true today as it was two years ago.

Now Everett is an energetic first-grader who loves Transformers and Star Wars, reading books and playing at the playground. He does still face more hurdles than most kids. While he is mentally typical for his age, has some sensory issues, gets overheated easily and can tire quickly.

"Even though he's learned to use crutches and can walk well, he still has stability issues and falls frequently," said Mandy.

That's where Woofster comes in. She's a service dog that's been specially trained just for Everett. She's a sturdy support for Everett if he needs help balancing or getting back up. She can open cabinets and drawers for him so he doesn't have to let go of one of his crutches. The Bradfords are teaching her more intricate skills, like picking up his crutches in her mouth and bringing them to him.

"Once his crutches are taken away there's no way he can walk, so it's a big deal to have a dog that can retrieve the crutches for him so he's not having to crawl on the ground," said his mom, Mandy Bradford.

"Woofster gives him a little independence and some dignity."

A community effort

Woofster is a 2-year-old labradoodle who was trained to be a service dog by a private company in North Carolina called Highland Canine Training.

A few years ago, when the Bradfords realized Everett would benefit from having an assistance dog, they began researching. Getting a dog like Woofster is not a quick process. The dog must be specially trained to meet the user's needs, and the wait time can be anywhere from two to three years. Insurance does not cover trained service dogs, which typically cost around $10,000, plus associated expenses including travel.

Back in 2014, the Bradfords decided to start a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign called 2 Braces 4 Paws to help defray the cost of a service dog for Everett.

Through fundraising events and online donations from friends, family, the community and complete strangers, the Bradfords were able to raise nearly all the money needed to bring Woofster home.

"We can never overemphasize our thanks to everyone who gave to us," said Mandy. "There's no way we could have raised this money ourselves."

Alabama boy gets service dog named Woofster 6 Gallery: Alabama boy gets service dog named Woofster

Bed buddies

Nighttime used to be a scary time for Everett.

"Everett was an anxious sleeper and would want somebody with him while he falls asleep and would wake up multiple times in the middle of the night," said Mandy.

Now that Woofster sleeps in bed with Everett, Mandy said she's seen a huge difference in his nighttime routine.

"He doesn't ask me to stay with him (while he falls asleep) and I don't hear him get up in the middle of the night," said Mandy. "She is such a good comfort for him."

The Bradfords are working with Woofster to improve her skills and build on the training she already has. The learning is a two-way process, as Everett and his parents learn to give her the correct commands and how to handle a service dog in public.

At home, once her service vest comes off, she gets to play. One of her favorite things to do with Everett is to catch the balls he throws to her in their back yard.

"He's wanted a dog from the day he could say the word 'dog,'" said Mandy. "The other day I caught them sitting on the couch together and he was explaining to her the show they were watching together.

"It's a dream come true for him."