The Pawsabilities Are Limitless for Caroline
Donation protected
Caroline has enriched the life of most everyone who's path she has crossed. Her feisty, devious and determined personality has not only allowed her to overcome many challenges that her medical involvement and nonverbal autism has introduced to her life but to do so while giggling.
Nearly, six years ago when Caroline was diagnosed with autism we had little idea what that diagnosis would mean for Caroline or our family. At the time our insurance did not cover most of the recommended therapies and interventions - we were overwhelmed by the support of our family, friends and strangers who helped fund Caroline's therapy.
Today, because of that therapy Caroline no longer has a feeding tube as she is able to consume enough calories by mouth thanks to feeding therapy. She is able to communicate her thoughts, needs, demands and so much more using sign language, approximations and a communication device. Caroline has developed an amazing relationship with Vivian, her older sister, thanks to ABA - behavioral therapy. And she has learn to dress herself, is nearly potty trained and is able to function in a variety of environments thanks to OT.
We are so proud of all that Caroline has accomplished through hard work, the support of amazing therapists and teachers, and the love of our extended community.
As we think to Caroline's future, we want to give her the tools necessary to increase her independence and ensure her safety. The biggest way we can do this is by providing her with a service dog. A service dog could increase Caroline's communication, make it so she doesn't have to be locked in bed at night, provided sensory and emotional support and help to keep Caroline safe (eloping, alerting others when she is doing something dangerous and so on).
Last weekend, Caroline met an amazing dog she took to immediately. The dog also quickly bonded with Caroline. Some could say it was love at first sight. The trainer is amazing and is committed to training a service dog that not only works with Caroline but with the whole family. This is rare and would be especially helpful as Vivian struggles with anxiety which animals are known to help reduce. Also, as many of you know Caroline connects with animals better than people. The magic that can happen when a service dog is introduced to her life is unknown but I have talked to parents whose nonverbal child began speaking or whose aggressive child stopped attacking others and no longer engaged in self-injurious behavior and whose child with elopement tendencies life was saved thank to her service dog.
The opportunity to work this particular dog is limited and thus we are asking for help in raising the funds to provide Caroline with the support, safety and comfort only a service dog can provide. We need to raise $7500 by the end of next week and then $2500 a month thereafter.
As we are also trying to move and have had a terrible time selling our house some would say the timing is not great but I honestly believe Tribble (the service dog) could improve Caroline's (and the entire Buzzard family's) quality of life in a way that little else could.
The early support we receive will determine if we are able to work with Tribble or need to wait and work with another dog. We appreciate your support so much.
The video below is Caroline enjoying some time with Tribble and her siblings. Upon getting up - Caroline immediately informed me she wanted to 'sleep' with the dogs again. Her love and connection with Tribble and Tribble's connection to her is undeniable in this video.
Nearly, six years ago when Caroline was diagnosed with autism we had little idea what that diagnosis would mean for Caroline or our family. At the time our insurance did not cover most of the recommended therapies and interventions - we were overwhelmed by the support of our family, friends and strangers who helped fund Caroline's therapy.
Today, because of that therapy Caroline no longer has a feeding tube as she is able to consume enough calories by mouth thanks to feeding therapy. She is able to communicate her thoughts, needs, demands and so much more using sign language, approximations and a communication device. Caroline has developed an amazing relationship with Vivian, her older sister, thanks to ABA - behavioral therapy. And she has learn to dress herself, is nearly potty trained and is able to function in a variety of environments thanks to OT.
We are so proud of all that Caroline has accomplished through hard work, the support of amazing therapists and teachers, and the love of our extended community.
As we think to Caroline's future, we want to give her the tools necessary to increase her independence and ensure her safety. The biggest way we can do this is by providing her with a service dog. A service dog could increase Caroline's communication, make it so she doesn't have to be locked in bed at night, provided sensory and emotional support and help to keep Caroline safe (eloping, alerting others when she is doing something dangerous and so on).
Last weekend, Caroline met an amazing dog she took to immediately. The dog also quickly bonded with Caroline. Some could say it was love at first sight. The trainer is amazing and is committed to training a service dog that not only works with Caroline but with the whole family. This is rare and would be especially helpful as Vivian struggles with anxiety which animals are known to help reduce. Also, as many of you know Caroline connects with animals better than people. The magic that can happen when a service dog is introduced to her life is unknown but I have talked to parents whose nonverbal child began speaking or whose aggressive child stopped attacking others and no longer engaged in self-injurious behavior and whose child with elopement tendencies life was saved thank to her service dog.
The opportunity to work this particular dog is limited and thus we are asking for help in raising the funds to provide Caroline with the support, safety and comfort only a service dog can provide. We need to raise $7500 by the end of next week and then $2500 a month thereafter.
As we are also trying to move and have had a terrible time selling our house some would say the timing is not great but I honestly believe Tribble (the service dog) could improve Caroline's (and the entire Buzzard family's) quality of life in a way that little else could.
The early support we receive will determine if we are able to work with Tribble or need to wait and work with another dog. We appreciate your support so much.
The video below is Caroline enjoying some time with Tribble and her siblings. Upon getting up - Caroline immediately informed me she wanted to 'sleep' with the dogs again. Her love and connection with Tribble and Tribble's connection to her is undeniable in this video.
Organizer
Kacie Wielgus Buzzard
Organizer
Cleveland, OH