Service Dog for Oliver

Oliver’s Papa here ( Robert Campa ) and after much discussion and consideration Oliver’s mother and myself feel that it is time to begin the process of procuring a service animal for our 3.8 year old son, Oliver Atticus .

Anyone who has ever looked into the cost of a service animal knows that initial shock when you see the final cost of procuring one of these special animals. For those unfamiliar with the numbers, a service dog will run anywhere from fifteen thousand to sixty thousand dollars. The application alone can often have a one thousand dollar fee attached to it.

I will be doing fundraising via candy sales , odd jobs and any other way that seems to be a promising avenue to raise money.

Oliver has made great strides since his being diagnosed with ASD2 - Autism Spectrum Disorder Level 2 , but with those great strides have come greater challenges. Challenges that involve his safety. Whether it be self harm during a meltdown, running blindly into dangerous situations or just needing companionship and comfort from someone other than myself or his mother.

I have contacted a breeder here in the Missouri Ozarks and have begun the process of procuring one of her German Shepherd pups who will be boarded with a local certified trainer for eight weeks. Then I , being the primary handler , will begin three classes a week for three months and once that is completed the animal will be trained to perform three specific tasks for Oliver .

it is our fair estimation that the entire process will have a price tag of 15,000 to 20,000.

An individual account in Oliver’s name has been set up and detailed financial sheets with names and numbers will be made available as we begin to move through the process.