Assistance Dog Training- Support Bella

Hi,

I am Lottie, mum to my incredible daughter Bella. My daughter is 8 and animals are her absolute world; they help her massively to be able to get through life, especially when it can be tricky.

My daughter is Autistic and PDA, this means she has a nervous system disability and has high anxiety at all times. This affects all aspects of her life and managing every day life can be difficult. She has been unable to access education over the last few years and has been in autistic burnout. Recovery from previous educational trauma and burnout is a long path of healing and animals are a large part of this.

We were on the list for an assistance dog with a charity, however due to her age she is no longer able to access this. Assistance dogs are expensive due to the level of training needed for whom they support. I have decided she needs this support as soon as possible.

We are now saving up to get our own assistance dog with the help from a trainer. From a puppy they will need training up to around 18 months old, for them to be a fully working assistance dog. This will help Bella be able to leave the house, socialise with others and hopefully enable her to engage with education in the future. Having an assistance dog will change her life.

I am trying to raise £3000 to go towards the training which will enable her dog to assist with her disability. It will offer sensory support, emotional support and ease her anxiety when out of the house. If you can help in any way possible that would be amazing.

As a full time parent carer, I am unable to fund this all by myself but I am hoping we will be able to raise some funds to help make this happen for my child. I will also be raising money through charity massage and bake sales.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, if you can help in any way I am very grateful. Lottie