Service Dog for Erin
Donation protected
Our angel, Erin, was officially diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder including Sensory Processing Disorder at the age of 2 even though she seemed to lose all that she learned around her 1st birthday, even sitting up right. She is sensitive to light, touch, and sound. A sound, the wrong lighting, or even just a touch can send her into a painful breakdown. A trip to the grocery store will sometimes send us home early with the anxiety she faces in abnormal places.
Usually, nothing could be done to calm her and sometimes the screaming, crying, and screeching could go for hours. When she approached 5 yrs of age, we had a family dog who she started to notice. We noticed more and more how she depended on our Boxer, Max, for comfort when she felt out of sorts with her sensory issues. Max was of an old age but was not used to the attention he was getting from Erin so he was skittish at times, but would allow Erin to pet him, pat him, hug him and lay on him as it seemed to calm Erin.
Our Max passed away from heart failure on Sept 11. Since that time, we can tell there is an obvious void for all in our household.
As she is getting older, her communication is limited but that does not mean she does not continue to get smarter or stop growing. She can unlock, unlatch, and figure out a lot of doors, gates, and windows. She is getting taller as well as smarter in the way of getting anything we don't want her to that is up high. Finding chairs that she has been standing on to reach something is common. She can wander, bolt, and get into danger no matter where she is. There is no concept of danger for these angels who have this disorder.
We feel a Service dog will serve 2 very important needs for our Erin. For her safety and also dealing with the hardships of her disorder such as the anxiety she battles when in public as well as sensory battles.
We need to fund raise because we are in tremendous debt due to Dr. bills and costly therapies for Erin. No insurance company will pay for a therapy dog so it is up to us.
We are so grateful for all we have. We love our Erin and as her parents, we feel we need to provide those things that will help her learn, help her grow, and help her be safe. Through all the hardships we have endevored with fighting for her whether it be medical, therapies, or educational, we will always consider her our glue that keeps our family together and she continues to teach us to never take things for granted.
Usually, nothing could be done to calm her and sometimes the screaming, crying, and screeching could go for hours. When she approached 5 yrs of age, we had a family dog who she started to notice. We noticed more and more how she depended on our Boxer, Max, for comfort when she felt out of sorts with her sensory issues. Max was of an old age but was not used to the attention he was getting from Erin so he was skittish at times, but would allow Erin to pet him, pat him, hug him and lay on him as it seemed to calm Erin.
Our Max passed away from heart failure on Sept 11. Since that time, we can tell there is an obvious void for all in our household.
As she is getting older, her communication is limited but that does not mean she does not continue to get smarter or stop growing. She can unlock, unlatch, and figure out a lot of doors, gates, and windows. She is getting taller as well as smarter in the way of getting anything we don't want her to that is up high. Finding chairs that she has been standing on to reach something is common. She can wander, bolt, and get into danger no matter where she is. There is no concept of danger for these angels who have this disorder.
We feel a Service dog will serve 2 very important needs for our Erin. For her safety and also dealing with the hardships of her disorder such as the anxiety she battles when in public as well as sensory battles.
We need to fund raise because we are in tremendous debt due to Dr. bills and costly therapies for Erin. No insurance company will pay for a therapy dog so it is up to us.
We are so grateful for all we have. We love our Erin and as her parents, we feel we need to provide those things that will help her learn, help her grow, and help her be safe. Through all the hardships we have endevored with fighting for her whether it be medical, therapies, or educational, we will always consider her our glue that keeps our family together and she continues to teach us to never take things for granted.
Organizer
Greg Hiatt
Organizer
Alta Vista Subdivision Number 1, UT
