Four years ago we gave birth to our 3rd son Isaac, but unfortunately it didn't go as planned. No doctor could tell us just how much oxygen he lacked, to cause such brain damage, nor could they tell us if he would be able to breathe on his own or if he would ever be able to open his eyes. One doctor did tell us, that only God can, after doing all they could for Isaac. Well, what do you know, he came back to life by the simple touch of God to be with us here now, today and forever. God bless the doctors and nurses as well for their ongoing care and support through that difficult time.

Isaac is alive and well today and doing his best to keep us all on our toes loving life to the fullest. Milestones are slower but achieved with so much support from family and great friends close by and far a part. Prayers were always a thought away as we continued to watch Isaac grow and learn.

One day, a little over 2 years of age, Isaac who could speak with words like quack quack and dada or  mama and just suddenly stopped talking. Simply just stopped. We just thought maybe he's observing and listening to new words we were always trying to teach him. As Isaac thrived physically, it didn't  quite alarm us that he wasn't talking as much as before, as he acted like a child his age should. We anticipated a few delays of course, due to his traumatic birth experience and decided to take him in for a check up. We were then referred to a pediatrician with our concerns and Isaac was diagnosed with Autism. I had no words, just thoughts of we already have to fight hard for our children's safety and well-being in the world, now we'll just have to fight a little harder!

So here we are after long conversations and researching we came to the conclusion of getting Isaac a Service Dog for all the special needs that come with Autism. Isaac has hyperactive tendencies and cannot self regulate to calm himself down without sensory stimulation of placing his head on hard surfaces or by having us model or demonstrating expectations with repetition and routine for calmness. The reassuring pressure of a dog’s head resting in a child’s lap helps to bring a feeling of calm in a moment of high anxiety and gives great support for a child with sensory needs. 
He can become quite compulsive by throwing anything and everything in his reach when he is excited or just happy. That poses risk of safety to himself and others that we believe a service dog can help calm and reduce his compulsions.
Isaac is fearless, which always makes safety a constant a concern and will climb tables, chairs and just about anything if you let him. Isaac doesn't fully understand patience for a child his age and sometimes has hard times transitioning from one activity to the next.
Isaac is smart and has a big sense of humor, loves the water and loves being with people and loves to play. A service dog can encourage Isaac to learn to play with others, turn taking skills and less tantrums.
In the end, we grow concerned with the fact he is a flight risk and needs to be with someone at all times and a constant companion helps reassure us that he's ok for the time being.
Throughout this pandemic this year, it has taken away a lot of the peer socialization that he lacks and needs for a child with Autism. Isaac not only needs a companion, but a friend and something special that can help reduce his stress, anxiety and provide a sense of relief  from day to day. Tensions rise for Isaac when he can't always get from us the constant attention he needs where a special canine support can provide that constant stimulus of a furry friend that can always be there when our days get too hectic. We have learned a service dog can help him create friendships with the help of  a friendly canine to bridge the gap at the fact Isaac is nonverbal. Isaac is also wears hearing aids in both ears, all the while learning basic sign language vocabulary so he will need to learn how to communicate even more with others and a service dog can help him create those relationships encouraging him speak watching others do the same.
Life of a child with autism can be dominated by routines and and repetition and a service dog can help Isaac try new things and take on new opportunities, especially while being with his family on outings that can be hard for Isaac to be involved with.
    So we're just humbly asking if you can be so kind and help us deliver a potential special needs dog, a facility already has in mind to complete our family of 5. 


 Thank you in advance for what can do and thank you for reading. 

Sincerely,

Natasha, Nick, Dominic Kingston and Isaac!