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Luke is our sweet, playful, seven year old son. He has Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability and behavioral and learning challenges. It is the most common form of inherited developmental disability. Fragile X Syndrome is linked to the X chromosome; it causes a repetition of the CGG trinucleotide on the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome, which prohibits the production of the protein FMRP that is required for normal development of neuron connections in the brain. FXS is also the most common known single gene cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and can also cause difficulties such as ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, seizures, and physical deficits in gross and fine motor development.
Fragile X is a spectrum disorder, with each child being affected differently in severity. While many children with FXS are autistic (approximately 40%), Luke is not, even though many of the things he struggles with on a daily basis are very similar. Luke is affected by intellectual disability; fine and gross motor delays; expressive and receptive speech disorder; and behavioral challenges, such as sensory sensitivity, oppositional defiance, and verbal stimming. Luke is very friendly and social. He loves to tease and play and smiles readily! Luke has a very tender heart and cares very much for the feelings of those around him. Luke loves to run, play in the dirt, climb and chase like many typically developing children. He loves to jump on the trampoline, swim, play on the playground, and play in the snow. He loves his Challenger baseball league, animals of all kinds, and his character and action figure toys from his favorite tv shows and movies. He loves to play on his Kindle and watch movies and if we catch him in the right mood, he loves to have books read to him. Luke loves being around family and to be moving constantly.
Luke has always been fascinated and calmed by the presence of animals and he is drawn to dogs that exhibit maturity and calmness. He loves the therapeutic repetition of playing fetch with dogs, the sensory input of petting them, and the happy companionship they bring, among many other things. A service dog will be an extraordinary asset to Luke and our family to assist with safety (darting and wandering), sensory needs (over-stimulation, tactile sensation, and anxiety), behavioral aid (stimming, meltdowns, transitioning), social companionship, and play.
We have been hoping to add a furry friend to our family for a few years now and have decided that with Luke's disability the best way and the biggest asset to Luke and our family will be a service dog. Over the past few months several key resources for finding and having a dog service trained locally have aligned in such a way that we have felt they are undeniably right for our family.
We are purchasing a sweet, eleven month old, male, F1b.b Goldendoodle from a wonderful breeder, DeeAnn Gengler, in Lodi, CA. After required evaluations of the dog's temperament and meeting personally with a service dog trainer of the breeder's lifelong professional relationship and recommendation, we have decided to have him trained by ProK9LLC (ProK9LLC.com)
Based on the needs we listed for the trainer, the dog will be trained as a Level II Medical Service Dog. The training for medical service dogs is extensive and lengthy, but so is the capability and assistance that we will receive in return. We greatly appreciate any help you can give in support of Luke, and to make this dream a reality for him!

Our Trainer can be found at:
www.prok9llc.com
DeeAnn Gengler, Breeder, can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/lazydgoldendoodles/
We look forward to the journey ahead and hope you can join us and Luke in it!
Update: Sacramento Autistic Spectrum & Special Needs Alliance (SASSNA) is accepting donations for Luke’s service dog. SASSNA is Northern California's premier nonprofit organization providing comprehensive social services to nurture and protect autistic and other mentally-diverse youth, and their families. SASSNA provides receipts for those who can gain tax benefits. SASSNA is also part of the Benevity network which works with many companies to provide employer matching funds. SASSNA will keep us informed of all your donations and pay Pro K9 directly.
If you’d like to donate, any of these methods are welcome:
• Donate directly to this GoFundMe campaign.
• Donate to SASSNA through your employer matching program. Be sure to note “for Luke Nasman’s service dog.”
• Donate directly to SASSNA (http://www.sassna.org/join-support-us/) or send a check (P.O Box 254788, Sacramento, CA 95865-4788).
You are also welcome to support SASSNA with their mission to help other families.
Fragile X is a spectrum disorder, with each child being affected differently in severity. While many children with FXS are autistic (approximately 40%), Luke is not, even though many of the things he struggles with on a daily basis are very similar. Luke is affected by intellectual disability; fine and gross motor delays; expressive and receptive speech disorder; and behavioral challenges, such as sensory sensitivity, oppositional defiance, and verbal stimming. Luke is very friendly and social. He loves to tease and play and smiles readily! Luke has a very tender heart and cares very much for the feelings of those around him. Luke loves to run, play in the dirt, climb and chase like many typically developing children. He loves to jump on the trampoline, swim, play on the playground, and play in the snow. He loves his Challenger baseball league, animals of all kinds, and his character and action figure toys from his favorite tv shows and movies. He loves to play on his Kindle and watch movies and if we catch him in the right mood, he loves to have books read to him. Luke loves being around family and to be moving constantly.
Luke has always been fascinated and calmed by the presence of animals and he is drawn to dogs that exhibit maturity and calmness. He loves the therapeutic repetition of playing fetch with dogs, the sensory input of petting them, and the happy companionship they bring, among many other things. A service dog will be an extraordinary asset to Luke and our family to assist with safety (darting and wandering), sensory needs (over-stimulation, tactile sensation, and anxiety), behavioral aid (stimming, meltdowns, transitioning), social companionship, and play.
We have been hoping to add a furry friend to our family for a few years now and have decided that with Luke's disability the best way and the biggest asset to Luke and our family will be a service dog. Over the past few months several key resources for finding and having a dog service trained locally have aligned in such a way that we have felt they are undeniably right for our family.
We are purchasing a sweet, eleven month old, male, F1b.b Goldendoodle from a wonderful breeder, DeeAnn Gengler, in Lodi, CA. After required evaluations of the dog's temperament and meeting personally with a service dog trainer of the breeder's lifelong professional relationship and recommendation, we have decided to have him trained by ProK9LLC (ProK9LLC.com)
Based on the needs we listed for the trainer, the dog will be trained as a Level II Medical Service Dog. The training for medical service dogs is extensive and lengthy, but so is the capability and assistance that we will receive in return. We greatly appreciate any help you can give in support of Luke, and to make this dream a reality for him!
Our Trainer can be found at:
www.prok9llc.com
DeeAnn Gengler, Breeder, can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/lazydgoldendoodles/
We look forward to the journey ahead and hope you can join us and Luke in it!
Update: Sacramento Autistic Spectrum & Special Needs Alliance (SASSNA) is accepting donations for Luke’s service dog. SASSNA is Northern California's premier nonprofit organization providing comprehensive social services to nurture and protect autistic and other mentally-diverse youth, and their families. SASSNA provides receipts for those who can gain tax benefits. SASSNA is also part of the Benevity network which works with many companies to provide employer matching funds. SASSNA will keep us informed of all your donations and pay Pro K9 directly.
If you’d like to donate, any of these methods are welcome:
• Donate directly to this GoFundMe campaign.
• Donate to SASSNA through your employer matching program. Be sure to note “for Luke Nasman’s service dog.”
• Donate directly to SASSNA (http://www.sassna.org/join-support-us/) or send a check (P.O Box 254788, Sacramento, CA 95865-4788).
You are also welcome to support SASSNA with their mission to help other families.