K9 Helpmates: you are not alone
Donation protected
On December 23, 2015, Kat's service dog, Checkers, unexpectedly passed away in the early hours of the morning. He was only five years old, and had been a vital part of her life since he was only a few weeks old.
For nearly a year, Kat trained, lobbied, and waited impatiently for Checkers' arrival. In the years he was with her, he carried her through the pain of navigating the world with autism. He grew Kat in ways we never imagined possible: from an egocentric, reckless child into a tender caretaker and an articulate presenter. Checkers was Kat's bridge out of autism and into society; he was the fur that dried her tears. We will forever be grateful for his selfless service.
We believe there is hope for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It gets better. Some years are harder than others: you may need the unconditional love and support of a service animal to walk beside you for a time when you are young. In other seasons of life, you may find youself a confident, young adult, preferring the independence of leash-free living. With Checkers' help, Kat grew into her own, able to comfortably walk the halls of high school without him. His "angel paws" mission was accomplished. Ready or not, life after Checkers was starting.
On December 25, Kat began looking for ways to share her story with children who are suffering the same social pains and frustrations of living with autism.
A talented presenter and "dog whisperer," Kat is raising money to purchase a female, fawn, Bouvier des Flandres, named Hope. Kat is determined to tell the Story of Checkers with Hope, She will to continue the work Checkers began: breaking down barriers and building bridges for children.
With Hope, Kat will become certified as an AKC junior dog handler and an obedience trainer. As Hope grows and matures, she will be socialized in public settings, and prepared to pass her Therapy Dog International (TDI) certification and to work in the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) field.
Kat's goal is to become a veterinarian, but throughout her life she wants continue to speak and to present on the benefits of service dogs for autism and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). You can learn more about Kat's journey with autism on YouTube: TheAspieGirl or www.KatDog.org
Let there be Hope for Autism.
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $5,625
PHASE 1: GOAL ACCOMPLISHED! Thank you!
HOPE: $1,975 (Bouvier des Flandres, female, fawn pup)
Hope will have an unrestricted registration, allowing Katherine to both become certified as a junior handler with her and to breed Hope for the benefit of others.
PHASE 2: FUNDING NOW
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT) CERTIFICATION: Denver University, $3,000
CAMPAIGN PROMOTION (website hosting, marketing materials): $240
FIRST YEAR VET: flea control, rabies, tags, heartworm, vet records. $410
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
For nearly a year, Kat trained, lobbied, and waited impatiently for Checkers' arrival. In the years he was with her, he carried her through the pain of navigating the world with autism. He grew Kat in ways we never imagined possible: from an egocentric, reckless child into a tender caretaker and an articulate presenter. Checkers was Kat's bridge out of autism and into society; he was the fur that dried her tears. We will forever be grateful for his selfless service.
We believe there is hope for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). It gets better. Some years are harder than others: you may need the unconditional love and support of a service animal to walk beside you for a time when you are young. In other seasons of life, you may find youself a confident, young adult, preferring the independence of leash-free living. With Checkers' help, Kat grew into her own, able to comfortably walk the halls of high school without him. His "angel paws" mission was accomplished. Ready or not, life after Checkers was starting.
On December 25, Kat began looking for ways to share her story with children who are suffering the same social pains and frustrations of living with autism.
A talented presenter and "dog whisperer," Kat is raising money to purchase a female, fawn, Bouvier des Flandres, named Hope. Kat is determined to tell the Story of Checkers with Hope, She will to continue the work Checkers began: breaking down barriers and building bridges for children.
With Hope, Kat will become certified as an AKC junior dog handler and an obedience trainer. As Hope grows and matures, she will be socialized in public settings, and prepared to pass her Therapy Dog International (TDI) certification and to work in the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) field.
Kat's goal is to become a veterinarian, but throughout her life she wants continue to speak and to present on the benefits of service dogs for autism and Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT). You can learn more about Kat's journey with autism on YouTube: TheAspieGirl or www.KatDog.org
Let there be Hope for Autism.
FUNDRAISING GOAL: $5,625
PHASE 1: GOAL ACCOMPLISHED! Thank you!
HOPE: $1,975 (Bouvier des Flandres, female, fawn pup)
Hope will have an unrestricted registration, allowing Katherine to both become certified as a junior handler with her and to breed Hope for the benefit of others.
PHASE 2: FUNDING NOW
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY (AAT) CERTIFICATION: Denver University, $3,000
CAMPAIGN PROMOTION (website hosting, marketing materials): $240
FIRST YEAR VET: flea control, rabies, tags, heartworm, vet records. $410
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
~ Jeremiah 29:11
Organizer
Shana Webb
Organizer
Pittsburgh, PA
