Service Dog for our Son!
Our Son is 12 years old, kind, generous, compassionate and he LOVES animals. For years he has struggled with behavioral and social difficulties due to Asperger's and Tourette's syndrome. Being a Military child he has had the extra difficulty of numerous transitions when moving. Changing schools, homes, towns, states, and his Dad's absence during deployment... All those changes are very difficult for him. During transitions, small or large, he has difficulty with effective communication and behavior. Sometimes resulting in meltdowns/outbursts. Because of his sensitivity to external sensory stimuli, and his heightened adrenal functioning, his anxiety and fears are multiplied. Crowds, social situations, travel (including airline travel) can be extremely challenging for him. When his anxiety levels are high, his vocal tic is prevalent and that compounds the anxiety because he becomes self-conscious. He self-medicates by immersing himself in video games. We would love to see him participate in real-life more! We have been in the process of finding him a service dog to aid him in these situations, be a calming presence for him, and a constant source of confidence and self-assuredness during all of his difficult times.
I have seen his sense of calm, and pure joy when around dogs. I have seen him pet a puppy for over an hour in pure calm bliss with no video games, or entertainment to settle him. Just the feel of the dog’s fur and calming presence kept him centered. Please help us make his dream come true and give him the assistance of a service dog trained specifically to provide for his needs! Without your help, we could not afford the extensive training required. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support. Big or small, any amount you can contribute will help us reach our goal!
