Three years ago, our lives changed forever as we sat in the therapist’s office. The psychiatrist gently explained to my husband and me that our son, Hunter, was autistic and also diagnosed with ADHD. That moment marked the beginning of a journey filled with love, learning, and relentless advocacy for our child’s well-being.

We immediately immersed ourselves in every available therapy and intervention. Hunter began medication, ABA therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy—you name it, we tried it. While each step brought its own set of benefits,nothing seemed to truly meet Hunter's unique needs until February 14, 2023, when we made the difficult decision to withdraw him from school.

That day, for the first time, Hunter opened up about the deep emotional distress and behavioral outbursts he had been experiencing. We learned he had been traumatized while attending a Christian school, something we hadn’t fully realized until we gave him the space to express it.

It was heartbreaking.

That summer, we made a big move to Alabama, hoping for a fresh start—and it turned out to be the best decision we’ve ever made. Hunter began to thrive. He interacted with peers more easily, required no accommodations at school, discontinued several therapies including ABA and speech, and even reduced his medication. Most importantly, he felt safe. For the first time in a long while, Hunter could just be a kid.

Unfortunately, this year our family had to make another move. This school year, we’ve watched some of those old struggles return. Once again, Hunter is showing signs of anxiety and dysregulation. He picks at his hands, hides under blankets, and expresses fear and hesitation about going to school. Through investigating we have found Hunter is showing a trauma response to his experience in second grade. His anxiety is beginning to run his daily life, and it's clear that what he needs most now is a deeper, more consistent sense of comfort and emotional security—especially during transitions and stressful situations.

That is why we are seeking a service dog for Hunter.

Autism service dogs are highly trained to support children like Hunter in profound and life-changing ways. These dogs can provide deep pressure therapy during meltdowns or anxiety attacks, help with emotional regulation, interrupt self-harming behaviors like hand-picking, and act as a calming and grounding presence during overstimulating environments. For many children on the spectrum, service dogs are more than

companions—they’re a lifeline to a more independent, confident, and connected life.

We believe a service dog will not only help Hunter navigate the sensory and emotional challenges of school but also empower him to feel safer and more in control of his environment. It will give him the courage to face the day, to build friendships, and to experience life with less fear and more joy.

Service dogs are not free or covered by insurance. This is a choice we have made to improve Hunters quality of life. Dogs cost anywhere from $20,000-$40,000. This is why we are starting to raise funds know to begin this process. If you are able to donate anything to help we would appreciate it. If you can't we ask you to please share our story and pray for us! It is a very long road ahead to receiving a service dog and we are expecting it will take about 2 years from start to finish to receive a dog. Please keep us in your prayers!