When 10 families learned last year that they would receive autism service dogs for their children courtesy of a Pepsi Refresh grant, they were ecstatic. Today, however, many are feeling duped.

The dogs were supposed to come from the Illinois-based Animals for Autism which won a $50,000 grant from Pepsi to train and place 10 dogs.

But after the families were told by the organization to expect service animals by this spring, they heard little more. Inquiries with Global Giving, which administered the grants on behalf of Pepsi, also resulted in few answers.

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Now, the families have largely given up hope, with many wondering if the animals they were promised ever existed. The Illinois attorney general is also investigating the matter since some families gave money to Animals for Autism prior to learning about the grant and have yet to be refunded.

“My gut tells me that even if by some miracle we received a dog, the quality of animal and training would be very suspect,” one parent told the Chicago Tribune. To read more click here.

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