John Fish's Autism Therapy Dog
My name is Laura Tobia, I am a special education teacher and I'm on a mission to make my brother John as happy as possible. John has autism...he is 43 years old and has resided in a group home for the past 10 years. Since then, he's just not been very happy. He would prefer to live at home with his family, however that is not possible. We have tried every thing we can think of to help him adjust to life "on his own" and although he ultimately accepts his way of life, deep down he's sad. Very sad. It has been heartbreaking to watch him cry....to ask to leave his group home...and look at us and say, "I'm not happy."
I was blessed to watch a service dog with an autistic individual in my school and I saw something special. I immediately thought of my brother and wondered, "Could we do something like this for him? Could we get a dog that would be in tune to his emotional needs and help him adjust and be happy?" You see, even though he's an adult...he still has the needs of an autistic individual. Adulthood doesn't make the autism go away. There are melt downs, emotional outbursts and days of weeping. I began my quest and mission....I knew in my heart this would be a win/win situation. Growing up, we always had a dog and John LOVED them. He just makes a special connection to them...it's actually magical to watch.
I researched agencies. I made phone calls. We discovered that we could not do a service dog (*one that can go into any public venue in accordance with the laws of the American with Disabilities Act), but we could do a therapy companion dog. Essentially, the dog is put through the same training as a service dog....it will be trained to respond to the same needs, but because John cannot pass a handler test and he does not have a 1-1 person who would act as the handler (*these are the laws that service dogs and their handlers are bound to), we decided to pursue a therapy companion dog. This dog will intervene when he has an emotional melt down or having a bad day. It's job will be to distract him, love on him and cuddle up to him to settle him down. I would also like to add that this will be the first Therapy Companion Dog that will reside in a group home setting around WNY. During my research, we found that there is no other situation like this around town or in the near vicinity.....so we are also blazing a trail here. (how exciting!) I am thankful that the agency that provides John's services (Claddagh Commission) and his service cooridnator through Aspire WNY are on board and willing to allow this to happen. For years, I have watched the therapeutic interventions be another pill prescribed to help with anxiety....or help with behaviors.....and this time, I want a non medicinal, holistic intervention that won't cause side effects to his body other than peace, calmness and love from a dog trained to do so.
This money raised will be used for the adoption fees, training fees, vetting, travel fees for the dog and trainer and care and maintenence of the dog. The immediate need is for $3,000.00 for the down payment and to begin the process of training. Once that has been attained, I can send the contract and money in to the agency (*We have chosen Wilderwood Service Dogs in Tennessee http://www.wilderwood.org/
). Money that will be donated after the intial down payment goal has been met will be used to complete the contract and training process. I have been told that the training can take up to 18 months....but we wait with eager anticipation of the final outcome. Our eyes are on the prize.
This means so much to me and my family. We know that we are blessed....having John in our lives has made us better people. We have learned to love unconditionally...we have learned to accpet and love him for who he is....and have learned to accept all those with disabilities.... It isn't easy to ask for help...if we could do this on our own, we would. However, it is a large amount of money that is needed and we humbly ask for your help.
Thank you and may God Bless you in return.
Philippians 4:19....