#GOTITUSGO PERSONAL AUTISM CANINE TRAINING

GoTitusGo! Do you remember following a story 10 years ago about a little boy born 4 months premature? Yes - THAT Titus was born 10 years ago, and his story has literally gone around the world! You probably prayed for him. Maybe his story inspired you about the power of love and the goodness of God. He is an amazing boy!

We are asking for your prayers once more, and help if you are able. Titus needs a service dog to help with the side effects from his medical diagnoses of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and Anxiety. His parents have been looking into getting Titus a service dog for some time now, and he definitely qualifies for and needs one. However, the process of getting one is much more complicated than you might think. It is also a process that can take years... time we cannot and do not want to waste.

We have purchased a breed perfectly qualified for Titus' needs, a precious golden doodle puppy named Jenny! After a lot of research and seeking, we found what we believe is the right place, Dog Elite Training in Springfield. We were able to set up a conference meeting with them very quickly, and the trainers were able to show us the facility, explain the training program, and answer all of the questions regarding the service dog training. We are very impressed with them.

The best time to start this kind of training is now, while the dog is young and can be taught easily to follow basic commands. We need to try to get her in for training as soon as possible. With this training program, we could have Jenny trained and service certified by the end of the year! The training program would be very specific to Titus's needs as it is a P.A.C. (Personal Autism Canine) program. They take the needs we give them and train the dog to react in a response that would best serve Titus.

To be able to have a dog that can tend to Titus's physical lifestyle through companionship but also very specialized mental and emotional services such as "Deep Pressure Therapy." Due to his Autism, Titus runs off of anxiety constantly. His mind races all day, and he is in a constant state of worry, which causes him to be constantly physically stiff in his muscles. This stiffness does not help the already underlying condition of dystonia and spasticity from his cerebral palsy. By having a service animal to calm him, it allows his thoughts to be redirected and allows his body to be in a very mellow, relaxed, and calm state that relieves the tension from all the stress and anxiety.

The cost for such intense and specified training is expensive. The time and effort going into this specialized training is a lot, and it takes a very special kind of people to do it. This is why we are asking for your help. The cost of training Jenny is $11,500, plus additional expenses. This is a lot of money! But it is so much less than trying to go another way, which can range anywhere from $15,000 - $35,000 and also take many years and difficult travel to obtain.

Your kind investment will enable Jenny to provide these services for Titus:

• Reducing anxiety through sensory anchoring when going to medical appointments, dental exams, when out in public in small or large gatherings, etc.

• Help with safety awareness, as children with autism like Titus "wander." Jenny will prevent that and help keep him focused.

• Deep Pressure Therapy to reduce stress and anxiety in overstimulating scenarios.

• An autism service dog will be able to pick things up off the floor for Titus. He has difficulty doing this as he doesn't have good control of his body and falls due to balance problems.

• An autism service dog will be able to alert someone should he need help.

• An autism service dog will be able to help in daily tasks by allowing Titus to lean or hold onto her to steady him while getting dressed, getting in and out of the shower, getting in and out of the car (Jenny will wear a special crane harness for this). This helps to also support in building confidence and doing things independently.

• Sensory Support: Titus is a sensory seeker, as are most kids who have been diagnosed with autism and sensory processing disorder. The dog will be trained to let Titus hug, squeeze, pet, lay on, cuddle, and wallow the dog and be able to tolerate all of it.

• Behavioral disruption intervention: Autism service dogs are trained to recognize and interrupt repetitive behaviors that can be harmful or disruptive. Jenny can redirect Titus from engaging in harmful behaviors, promoting a safer and more positive environment.

• An autism service dog also contributes to social interaction enhancement. Jenny will be able to facilitate communication by acting as a bridge between Titus and others. They can encourage social engagement by providing comfort and reducing anxiety in social situations.

• Titus struggles with changes in plans and transitions. Having an autism service dog can help redirect his frustration and negative emotions and overall meltdowns during situations when plans and schedules change.

• One of the key tasks of an autism service dog is to assist in sensory overload management. Titus often experiences sensory sensitivities, where everyday sounds, lights, textures, or smells can become overwhelming. In these situations, Jenny can provide comfort and support by guiding him to a calmer environment or helping him find a safe space.

These dogs are trained to recognize signs of sensory overload, such as agitation, covering ears, or exhibiting repetitive behaviors. By sensing these cues, they can intervene and provide a calming influence. This may involve physical contact, such as leaning against the person or providing deep pressure therapy, which can help reduce anxiety and restore a sense of calm.

The dog may be trained to respond to a specific cue, such as touching a certain part of their body or placing a paw on Titus's leg, to redirect his attention and provide a sense of grounding.

Thank you for praying for Titus! Thank you for investing in Jenny's training to help him! And thank you for sharing this need with any and everyone that you can.

Please feel free to message me with any questions. On behalf of his loving parents, we are SO GRATEFUL for you!

Dave Taylor, proud Papa