Hi there, my name is Danni and I am a full-time carer for my son, Levi. Since 2015 we have been actively trying to obtain a working, specialist dog to help my son manage in society. One of these dogs could change all of our lives.

To date we have been unsuccessful due to too much red tape. When covid hit, all wait lists we have been fighting to join have closed. Our only option is to buy and train one ourselves.

Levi is now 11, an energetic, above average intelligence, intense kid who just wants be accepted. He has so much potential and ability but has had so many restrictions placed on him by his medical conditions, our current society and the educational system. 

My son has autism and a number of other medical acronyms that combine to make life tough for him to manage in everyday life settings. As a single Mum if two kids, I can't just leave him behind while I handle everyday errands, after school activities for Levi and his sister (easier during covid), and medical appointments for my children or my mother.

 

This has led to him having massive melt downs and us all copping abuse from the . A support dog, who is fully trained and therefore allowed into public buildings, could calm him and provide compression before he becomes too overwhelmed. 

 

It is a very isolating life and has impacted the whole family. We need my son to have the support of a specialist dog to enter shopping centres, public and private events, parties, public transport, and possibly school (much negotiating and acceptance still to go).

 

A simple trip to the shops, with the kids, is dreaded by most parents, now imagine taking a kid who is set off by lights, sounds, limited space, bright colours. All of these things tell Levi's nervous system that he is not safe, triggering a fight or flight response. Now add that we're coming out of lock down in Melbourne. A working dog can provide the support his system needs to feel safe, preventing meltdowns and bouts of absconding.

 

My son joined pawpals recently, to see if a working dog would impact him, and the results had his teachers wanting the dog to be with him everyday, in class, in spite of their strict policy of no animals. It was significant.

 

With a specialist trained dog, my son can manage to function in society and may even be able to make life long friends and connections just like all other kids. These dogs are trained to help with everyday tasks, identify a melt down coming on, and support him to regulate early.

 

 

"He wants nothing more than to fit in, have friends and be loved."

 

 

He has made a place under his bed for his dog to sleep and worked out a budget at a pet store, for items it will need so he can love it as much as it will love him.

 

He is so eager he has started his own fund raiser (with help) washing bins. $5 a bin, so far it is going well, the current total is $300. I'll keep you updated on his efforts; so please dig deep and help change our lives. We needed this dog back in 2015, please help us get him a four legged worker and companion in the next twelve months, as it takes 2 years to train these puppies for the very special job they perform.

 

 

Thankyou