A Service Dog for Nathaniel
Donation protected
Nathaniel was diagnosed with Autism when he was 5 years old. Since then his journey has been filled with therapy sessions and ongoing support to give him a chance to adapt to the mainstream lifestyle.
It has not been easy for Nathaniel to overcome every small obstacle that autism has given him. These difficulties involve sensory overload, anxiety, bullying and social exclusion.
His achievements have been major and even though he is on the autism spectrum he is aware of his diagnosis and just wants to fit in like any other teenager.
However, adolescence has presented new challenges for Nathaniel. Since starting high school he's had trouble understanding social behaviour and intentions of people around him. This has resulted in targeting and labelling of his disability by mainstream kids in his school. He was even called a 'retard' for wearing simple noise cancelling earphones at school.
Nathaniels anxiety has increased and he is paranoid of being labelled for his disability.
The fear is now that he travels alone on public transportation he is surrounded by mainstream people and faces many challenges on how to behave and understand the world.
He needs assistance to understand and interpret the world as he grows into an adult.
Dogs for Life is a program that Nathaniel has just started. This program offers occupational therapy and community based training involving a team of psychologists, occupational therapists and dog trainers. It is a two year program that will help Nathaniel function on a daily basis with a service dog.
Nathaniel needs this program to get his service dog.
Examples of how the dog will assist Nathaniel are :
1. Transportation: The dog will travel with Nathaniel on public transportation.
2. Detect anxiety: The dog will be trained to sense his mood levels and to assist him by sitting on him or laying on him. This calms him. It is called "Pile on".
3. Attending school: The dog will be in the classroom with him to keep Nathaniel calm and feeling safe.
4. Calming: The presence and company will help with Nathaniel's mood.
5. Social skills: Engaging in the community with the dog enabling positive social interactions.
So many benefits are involved and Nathaniel is super excited to get his own dog. He is now training with another service dog but he will need his own in a few months to a year. The total cost is $45 000 and we are in desperate need to raise it as soon as possible.
Please help us out and change my son's life. This will be his companion for the next 15 years.
It has not been easy for Nathaniel to overcome every small obstacle that autism has given him. These difficulties involve sensory overload, anxiety, bullying and social exclusion.
His achievements have been major and even though he is on the autism spectrum he is aware of his diagnosis and just wants to fit in like any other teenager.
However, adolescence has presented new challenges for Nathaniel. Since starting high school he's had trouble understanding social behaviour and intentions of people around him. This has resulted in targeting and labelling of his disability by mainstream kids in his school. He was even called a 'retard' for wearing simple noise cancelling earphones at school.
Nathaniels anxiety has increased and he is paranoid of being labelled for his disability.
The fear is now that he travels alone on public transportation he is surrounded by mainstream people and faces many challenges on how to behave and understand the world.
He needs assistance to understand and interpret the world as he grows into an adult.
Dogs for Life is a program that Nathaniel has just started. This program offers occupational therapy and community based training involving a team of psychologists, occupational therapists and dog trainers. It is a two year program that will help Nathaniel function on a daily basis with a service dog.
Nathaniel needs this program to get his service dog.
Examples of how the dog will assist Nathaniel are :
1. Transportation: The dog will travel with Nathaniel on public transportation.
2. Detect anxiety: The dog will be trained to sense his mood levels and to assist him by sitting on him or laying on him. This calms him. It is called "Pile on".
3. Attending school: The dog will be in the classroom with him to keep Nathaniel calm and feeling safe.
4. Calming: The presence and company will help with Nathaniel's mood.
5. Social skills: Engaging in the community with the dog enabling positive social interactions.
So many benefits are involved and Nathaniel is super excited to get his own dog. He is now training with another service dog but he will need his own in a few months to a year. The total cost is $45 000 and we are in desperate need to raise it as soon as possible.
Please help us out and change my son's life. This will be his companion for the next 15 years.
Fundraising team: Team Nathaniel (3)
Paloma Monse
Organizer
Castle Hill NSW
Cristian Mundaca
Team member
Edgardo Sanchez
Team member
