Autism support dog for Benjamin
Donation protected
Dear family and friends,
I want to share something—something many of you are already aware of, but most of you probably don't fully understand. When I finish, I’m going to ask for your help. Until then, please spend a few moments with me.
Did you know April is Autism Awareness month? I know because my son Benjamin falls on the autism spectrum. My wife and I received Benjamin’s diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was barely 3 years old. Ben has several challenges with autism but his most severe challenges are on the social spectrum. This means that he has great difficulty integrating normally into groups of people.
When his brother Nolan was born, Benjamin’s issues peaked and Antonina and I had to make the difficult decision to remove Ben from our home, and send him to live with Antonina’s mother. We sold our home, and moved across the valley to be closer to them, and to provide help with Benjamin’s treatment.
Benjamin and kids like him face many challenges over and above the difficulties all kids face. Sometimes, on the hardest days, it feels like there is no solution, no answer, but today I am hopeful. I believe I’ve found the support he needs. Since he began living with his grandmother, Benjamin has made huge strides of progress. He receives weekly Occupational Therapy sessions, as well as behavioral therapy sessions, and many hours of one-on-one work at home with his grandmother who is a special education teacher. Additionally, for the last year and a half he has been on an extremely controlled and limited diet called the Gaps Complete diet - all in an effort to help him learn behavioral patterns and develop habits that will allow him to be viewed as more normal by those around him.
Benjamin has progressed from being in a special education classroom full time, to being able to stay in a normal kindergarten classroom for part of the day, and his personal relations skills are such that we are beginning to be able to consider bringing him home and reuniting our family.
But there are still major challenges. Last weekend we attended a 5k fun run fund raiser put on by Antonina’s school. There were many people there, and lots of stimulus which ultimately proved too much for Benjamin.
He ran. It’s a common reaction for autistic children, and an extremely scary one for parents. He ran away and it took over an hour to find him. It was an extremely scary moment in time for our family, and it was a tipping point for us. Benjamin needs even more help.
Last year, I discovered a very special program, a program that trains dogs to assist autistic children, helping them overcome roadblocks, regulate their emotions and access their home and community environments in safe, productive ways. This is not a one-size-fits-all training. Each dog is trained to the specific child’s needs. After last week’s episode, we have decided to enroll in the program. Benjamin will have a service dog.
Here are just a few ways I feel this decision will immeasurably enhance Benjamin’s life:
When he’s upset, Benjamin has difficulty regulating his emotions. It varies from minor to extreme, but it can lead to outbursts that affect our neighbors, meltdowns where the classroom is cleared and there is damage to desks and even sometimes results in classmates or teachers getting hurt. Service dogs are trained to use self-soothing techniques during these meltdowns. They apply deep pressure by lying down on the child or placing both paws on the child’s lap. The action interrupts the behavior, thus lessening its intensity and shortening its duration. Additionally, a natural response when simply approached by a dog is to pet it. This act alone, I’ve learned, can calm and disrupt negative behavior.
Imagine standing beside a fire truck when the driver engages its deafening horn and sirens. You can’t cover your ears fast enough. You want to get as far away as possible, right? Benjamin can have that reaction to a sound you might not even notice—something as innocuous as a phone ringing. Service dogs are trained to calm autistic children when aural overstimulation leads to high anxiety. When Benjamin is frozen, disoriented or panicked, his service dog can bring noise-cancelling headphones, or steer him away from the upsetting element and direct him to a quieter place.
Most children with autism struggle with socialization. Benjamin is no exception. Having a service dog will help him bridge the gap to other kids. Most everyone likes dogs, so it makes him more approachable. “Hey, I like your dog. What’s his name?” could be the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
The service dog can help when Benjamin enters middle school and needs to move from room to room. The dog can help deal with the stimulation of the busy, crowed hallway keeping Ben focused on what he is to be doing.
Service dogs can be trained to interrupt repetitive behavior, like rocking—behavior that can make autistic children stand out inappropriately in the community. The distraction helps them re-focus on appropriate tasks and behavior.
Then this inevitable part, which is so incredibly difficult, for any parent: People are sometimes rude and disrespectful towards Benjamin. They think he is misbehaving, not realizing his brain is stuck in a world of sensory overload. You would be surprised what people have said, terrible things, intentionally loud enough for us to hear. I think, rather, I hope people will be more sympathetic and tolerant when they see Benjamin with his service dog.
Lastly, companionship. What little boy doesn’t want a dog—a loving friend to accept him unconditionally? He’s been asking for such a special friend. He has no idea he’s getting his wish or how special that friend will be.
Benjamin has so many amazing talents. Ask anyone, not just his plainly biased Father. He is incredibly bright and aware of his challenges. I know a service dog will help keep him regulated and give him more confidence, so he can feel comfortable accessing the wonderful things around him.
Will you help us?
Antonina and I can’t afford it alone. We need to raise $15,000 for the dog’s training program. I know it’s cliché, but every little bit helps. I’ll accept any denomination, from 19th Century U.S. presidents to dog food, treats and hugs.
Feel free to share this post, if you feel it is appropriate.
A service dog to help calm, protect and regulate Benjamin and will add great peace to his life. Mine, too.
Thank you for your time,
Jeremy Capurro
I want to share something—something many of you are already aware of, but most of you probably don't fully understand. When I finish, I’m going to ask for your help. Until then, please spend a few moments with me.
Did you know April is Autism Awareness month? I know because my son Benjamin falls on the autism spectrum. My wife and I received Benjamin’s diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was barely 3 years old. Ben has several challenges with autism but his most severe challenges are on the social spectrum. This means that he has great difficulty integrating normally into groups of people.
When his brother Nolan was born, Benjamin’s issues peaked and Antonina and I had to make the difficult decision to remove Ben from our home, and send him to live with Antonina’s mother. We sold our home, and moved across the valley to be closer to them, and to provide help with Benjamin’s treatment.
Benjamin and kids like him face many challenges over and above the difficulties all kids face. Sometimes, on the hardest days, it feels like there is no solution, no answer, but today I am hopeful. I believe I’ve found the support he needs. Since he began living with his grandmother, Benjamin has made huge strides of progress. He receives weekly Occupational Therapy sessions, as well as behavioral therapy sessions, and many hours of one-on-one work at home with his grandmother who is a special education teacher. Additionally, for the last year and a half he has been on an extremely controlled and limited diet called the Gaps Complete diet - all in an effort to help him learn behavioral patterns and develop habits that will allow him to be viewed as more normal by those around him.
Benjamin has progressed from being in a special education classroom full time, to being able to stay in a normal kindergarten classroom for part of the day, and his personal relations skills are such that we are beginning to be able to consider bringing him home and reuniting our family.
But there are still major challenges. Last weekend we attended a 5k fun run fund raiser put on by Antonina’s school. There were many people there, and lots of stimulus which ultimately proved too much for Benjamin.
He ran. It’s a common reaction for autistic children, and an extremely scary one for parents. He ran away and it took over an hour to find him. It was an extremely scary moment in time for our family, and it was a tipping point for us. Benjamin needs even more help.
Last year, I discovered a very special program, a program that trains dogs to assist autistic children, helping them overcome roadblocks, regulate their emotions and access their home and community environments in safe, productive ways. This is not a one-size-fits-all training. Each dog is trained to the specific child’s needs. After last week’s episode, we have decided to enroll in the program. Benjamin will have a service dog.
Here are just a few ways I feel this decision will immeasurably enhance Benjamin’s life:
When he’s upset, Benjamin has difficulty regulating his emotions. It varies from minor to extreme, but it can lead to outbursts that affect our neighbors, meltdowns where the classroom is cleared and there is damage to desks and even sometimes results in classmates or teachers getting hurt. Service dogs are trained to use self-soothing techniques during these meltdowns. They apply deep pressure by lying down on the child or placing both paws on the child’s lap. The action interrupts the behavior, thus lessening its intensity and shortening its duration. Additionally, a natural response when simply approached by a dog is to pet it. This act alone, I’ve learned, can calm and disrupt negative behavior.
Imagine standing beside a fire truck when the driver engages its deafening horn and sirens. You can’t cover your ears fast enough. You want to get as far away as possible, right? Benjamin can have that reaction to a sound you might not even notice—something as innocuous as a phone ringing. Service dogs are trained to calm autistic children when aural overstimulation leads to high anxiety. When Benjamin is frozen, disoriented or panicked, his service dog can bring noise-cancelling headphones, or steer him away from the upsetting element and direct him to a quieter place.
Most children with autism struggle with socialization. Benjamin is no exception. Having a service dog will help him bridge the gap to other kids. Most everyone likes dogs, so it makes him more approachable. “Hey, I like your dog. What’s his name?” could be the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
The service dog can help when Benjamin enters middle school and needs to move from room to room. The dog can help deal with the stimulation of the busy, crowed hallway keeping Ben focused on what he is to be doing.
Service dogs can be trained to interrupt repetitive behavior, like rocking—behavior that can make autistic children stand out inappropriately in the community. The distraction helps them re-focus on appropriate tasks and behavior.
Then this inevitable part, which is so incredibly difficult, for any parent: People are sometimes rude and disrespectful towards Benjamin. They think he is misbehaving, not realizing his brain is stuck in a world of sensory overload. You would be surprised what people have said, terrible things, intentionally loud enough for us to hear. I think, rather, I hope people will be more sympathetic and tolerant when they see Benjamin with his service dog.
Lastly, companionship. What little boy doesn’t want a dog—a loving friend to accept him unconditionally? He’s been asking for such a special friend. He has no idea he’s getting his wish or how special that friend will be.
Benjamin has so many amazing talents. Ask anyone, not just his plainly biased Father. He is incredibly bright and aware of his challenges. I know a service dog will help keep him regulated and give him more confidence, so he can feel comfortable accessing the wonderful things around him.
Will you help us?
Antonina and I can’t afford it alone. We need to raise $15,000 for the dog’s training program. I know it’s cliché, but every little bit helps. I’ll accept any denomination, from 19th Century U.S. presidents to dog food, treats and hugs.
Feel free to share this post, if you feel it is appropriate.
A service dog to help calm, protect and regulate Benjamin and will add great peace to his life. Mine, too.
Thank you for your time,
Jeremy Capurro
Organizer
Jeremy Capurro
Organizer
Henderson, NV