Our Pawtism Fund

Our family is fundraising for an autism service dog for our oldest daughter, Naomi.

Naomi was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) last year - not an easy diagnosis to receive. We quickly realized, though, this diagnosis was a gift - shedding light on years of atypical struggles our kid experiences at doctor's appointments, extracurriculars, and in social gatherings at school and in our community.

Our bright, precocious, quirky kid is simply wired differently, and wired beautifully: the autistic mind adds to the diverse tapestry of humankind.

Over the years, we've noticed kiddo face many challenges common for autistic individuals, for example: debilitating phobias, sensitivity to loud noises, a sudden sense of overwhelm or overstimulation, difficulty making and maintaining friendships, and struggling to read social cues. But we've also noticed something else: the way she lights up when she's around animals, especially dogs.

Animal companionship centers her. Dogs, in particular, calm and empower her in tough moments. She has trouble connecting with her peers, but she can reel off the name of nearly every dog she's ever met!

And so, to support our child as she navigates her teen and young adult years, we're investing in a well-trained, lovable furry companion to be by her side, every step of the way.

Protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, service dogs are highly trained to enable and empower their handlers. We have partnered with Heeling House, a local non-profit organization here in Virginia that breeds, raises, trains, and matches service dogs for kids on the autism spectrum. The process to fundraise for and train the right pup for our kid will take two years or more, but to us, the investment of time and funds are absolutely worth it.

Will you help us on our journey?