Riley and Luka the puppy need help!

My name is Katharine Grieser. I have a four year old son, Riley Condreay, who is in the process of being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We have learned he is noticeably behind in his fine motor skills he has developed only minimal verbal skills. He is very dependent upon me and his anxiety limits are tested multiple times daily because of his disability. I have been his full time caregiver since birth, however it has recently become necessary for me to work outside the home. This has caused disorder and confusion in Riley’s rigid schedule. He continues to depend entirely on my help and clings to me with little desire for independence. His absence of verbal communication creates an extreme level of frustration for him. For this reason he will act out, throw a tantrum, punch himself/bang his head on things, or simply run away in fear when these meltdown episodes occur. Riley’s troubles with anxiety are a direct result of sensory overstimulation, task overload and the recent disruption to his daily schedule. This situation also causes frustration ending difficulty sleeping. We have recently fostered a three-month-old German Shepherd/Labrador mix. Since the puppy arrived I noticed an immediate attachment between Riley and him. The puppy has served as a comfort to him throughout the day such as when I am leaving home, a buddy to play with while I’m gone and a safe companion when it is time to sleep. After doing some internet research I have discovered that if we could train our puppy as a service dog it might be possible for Riley to feel more secure, having more confidence and independence. From what I have read online, ASD service dogs can sense a child’s meltdown coming, making a parent more prepared to recognize the trigger and perhaps alter the environment. A service animal would also help Riley’s insecurity when I am not present, making him feel safe. Most importantly, as Riley continues to grow a service dog will prevent him from wandering off or running away or at least be able to help find him if he does wander. I am requesting assistance from you to pay for an animal training course in Joplin, Missouri. The cost is $350 per month for eight months, plus the cost of future vaccinations and vet checkups. Thank you for your consideration, Katharine Grieser