Adelyn is a bright, passionate 12-year-old who loves nature, animals, and reading. She’s an activist at heart, always eager to learn and help others. Like many girls, Adelyn’s autism was diagnosed later than it should have been. Once we received her autism diagnosis, we began to understand the full scope of her challenges—especially with anxiety, communication, and social interactions. Adelyn’s anxiety is severe and often manifests as Trichotillomania, where she pulls out her eyelashes, eyebrows, and hair. She also struggles with sleep, both falling and staying asleep, which impacts her safety and our family’s well-being.

We started our journey toward getting a service dog for Adelyn in early 2022. After setbacks with our first organization, we found a new one at the end of 2024. Just this week, we received the call that a dog is ready for Adelyn, and we’ll begin a week-long training in March. The service dog will be a constant companion for Adelyn, helping her navigate overwhelming situations at home, school, and in public. The dog will be trained to interrupt self-harming behaviors, provide comfort during meltdowns, and help her build confidence and communication skills. Most importantly, the dog will help keep Adelyn safe at night, alerting us if she wakes up and is in trouble, which will also allow our family to rest easier.

We’ve been saving and fundraising, but the costs remain overwhelming, especially with two medically complex children. We’re asking for help to cover the remaining expenses for the service dog and the required training. This support would be truly life-changing for Adelyn and our entire family, giving her the chance to thrive and experience more independence, safety, and joy.