Our daughter Anna is 9 years old and Autistic. She is the light of our lives. She is passionate about unicorns, ballet, her family, and her 2 cats. She loves telling jokes, camping, and playing at the playground. She is very active at our local dance studio, Dance Junction, and is currently taking 7 classes including Ballet, Cheer Dance, Tumbling, and Contemporary.

In 2021 Anna was bullied and harassed by students in her classroom at school. The bullies focused on her differences; making fun of her for the way she talks, her sensory sensitivities, and her disability aids. They would poke her, pull her backpack, and block her way when walking, often putting their arms up to stop her from being able to move.

Because of Anna’s differences in communication she was not able to verbally express all that she was going through. We saw a dramatic shift in our once bubbly, happy, confident girl. She became withdrawn, angry, and began to tell us that she hates her “Autism brain.”

It was not until April 2022 when one of the bullies punched her that Anna began telling us all that she was going through. Unfortunately, school continued to be a nightmare for Anna and in December 2022 Anna refused to go to school.

The trauma Anna sustained had pushed her to the point of being unable to function. She was diagnosed with PTSD in February 2023. Anna has continued to be unable to attend school and we are now homeschooling her for her 4th grade year.

We are looking to raise money for a service dog for Anna that will be able to perform tasks for PTSD and Autism. As Anna is learning how to heal from her trauma it has caused an increase in meltdowns, panic attacks, and flashbacks which leave her completely depleted. A service dog would have the ability to perform “interruption tasks” to help Anna during these episodes. A service dog would also be able to perform tasks related to her Autism which have been heightened by the PTSD such as her need for kinetic engagement, deep pressure stimulation, and grounding during meltdowns.

Of course, one of the most important roles of the service dog will be companionship. A dog who loves her just the way she is. A special dog she can give her love to.

Part of the official application is asking Anna in her own words why she wants a service dog. She worked hard on her answer and I wanted to share it with all of you. Thank you so much for your support, Anna lights up every time we tell her she has a new donation and a big thanks to all of you sharing the page on social media and hanging our posters to reach a wider audience.

“I want a service dog because I want to feel safe, to help me with my meltdowns, help me when I’m feeling nervous, help me when I’m feeling scared, go everywhere with me. The service dog will help me feel comfortable around people and make me not feel alone all the time and help me play alone. I like when dogs lick me and nuzzle me on the head. I also want it to hug me and lay on my body and sleep with me. That’s why I want a service dog.”

Thank you for considering a donation to helping us provide a Service Dog for Anna.

Training a service dog to meet our child’s requirements can be very costly. On average it costs between $40,000-60,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog at 4 Paws for Ability. While 4 Paws for Ability fundraises to help cover a significant portion of this cost, families are tasked with raising $20,000 of that amount or $23,000 if receiving a poodle, doodle or papillon. We hope that we can receive assistance from our beloved family and friends to help make our service dog dream a reality.