From the voice of Josh:

“Hi! I’m Joshua Caufield! I am nine years old. I live with my mom. Oh yeah… and my brothers, sisters, and dad too!

My favorite animals are baby polar bears. And I also like doggies. Dogs might be my favorite animal now. I currently have two dogs named Boots and Mexi. They love to bark!

I like to create my own games, play Super Mario Maker, and watch Zoboomafoo. I think I also love Super Mario Odyssey. I don’t like avocados. And also, I do NOT like spiders. I don’t like the feeling of shirts and clothes, they make me itchy. Too tight around my neck. I want to stretch them out. Loud and unexpected noises I also don’t like. I have to cover my ears and sometimes I run away to make the noise less loud. I don’t like going to school because I have to get dressed and leave the house, which is hard for me to do. Oh boy do I ever like salami sandwiches!”

From the advocating voices for Josh:

Josh is truly an incredible young boy. Josh is often described as charismatic, comical, chatty, caring, sensitive, animated, and energetic. Josh has a bold and bright personality that brightens a room instantly. Despite being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder on May 10th, 2017, neither us nor Josh let that deter him.

On April 13th, 2023, Josh and his family received an acceptance letter from Pawsitism Inc., Service Dogs for Those With Autism, confirming their placement in their program to begin the exciting, new adventure for Josh! For those unfamiliar with this organization, Pawsitism Inc. is a new nonprofit organization in the area that is training Autism Assistance Service Dogs for children with autism. They actively stand by their mission of striving to provide families with a personally and professionally trained service dog that will enhance the life of a child with autism, and ensure success through continued education for the family. Service Dogs are trained in a variety of tasks and skills that can address a range of symptoms, behaviors, and issues corresponding to Josh’s everyday life and functioning with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

A Service Dog to Josh would mean:

Assisting in eloping occurrences to increase his safety and body awareness both within the home and in public

Interrupting, redirecting, and/or preventing self-harming behaviors

More ease in navigating transitions

Social-emotional and behavioral disruption, management, and regulation

Promoting his confidence and independence

An Autism Service Dog would be a life-altering and dependable resource that will continually aid, assist, and guide Josh’s growth and development physically, emotionally, socially, behaviorally, and intellectually. Josh himself shares: “My Service Dog would be named Reese. I would play with him. I would teach him all of the tricks that I want to.”

In addition to asking for your support and assistance financially to make this wish and dream come true, we hope that in sharing Josh’s voice, we are not only spreading awareness and education about Autism Spectrum Disorder, but also illuminating information revealing the copious, beautiful resources Service Dogs have across all domains and populations. No amount is too small. Every little bit helps get us closer to our goal. Please pray that we find the perfect dog for Josh. We thank you in advance for your support. Miracles can and do come true.