Hello!

We are raising funds for our daughter Eliana's service dog companion so she can have more freedom, confidence and calm. Eliana is autistic with severe combined ADHD and sensory processing disorder which makes contributes to meltdowns, inability to travel long distances, difficulty going to new or crowded places, etc. We know the benefits and the impact a service dog can have for Eliana, and the positive impact it will have on our family; at the same time we also know that this is a big goal ($17,000), one we are not able to reach without the help of people like you partnering with us.  We need help to raise the funds for Eliana to have her furry 4-legged companion with her.

Our Journey

In 2020, after several years of challenges, and a very challenging 2019, we discovered that Eliana is autistic with severe combined ADHD and Sensory Processing Disorder. Over the years prior, she had been experiencing regular meltdowns, sometimes lasting multiple hours several times a day, significant impulsivity, irritability and overwhelm. When she was younger we thought this might be a phase that she will outgrow, but we came to wonder if there might be something else going on. It had started to put significant strain on our family dynamics, including not being able to go places, school, sibling relationships, etc. We realized that we needed to figure out what was going on and find a solution - for her, as she hated the meltdowns, and for the health (emotional, physical and mental) of our family. We started with play therapy and then were recommended to a wonderful neuropsychologist who did all of the assessments and helped us to understand the diagnoses. We then found one of the most amazing psychiatrists who helped us understand and start a minimal medication protocol. Eliana also began Occupational Therapy. Once we moved to PA, she is also seeing a great Naturopathic Doctor and Certified Natural Health Professional who has helped identify some significant food sensitivities as well. It has been a journey, but we are so thankful for the team of care providers that have worked so hard to give us answers and then tools and therapies to help our girl.

So Why a Service Dog?

You may be wondering why we are getting a service dog if we are doing all of the other protocols.
Eliana loves animals along with graphic novels and writing and illustrating her own comics. When she was little we would call her the "Creature Whisperer" because she could make friends with just about any living thing. She has always been able to make a great connection with animals, and they with her. Whether it be a frog, bunny, horse, beetle, lizard, dog or cat. We have seen how her whole countenance, body posture and behavior calms down around animals and how it is one of the few times she seems completely at ease.

In Her Words:
"Eliana, why do you want a service dog and how will it help?"

• I want a service dog because I feel like it would help me and I’ve been wanting a dog for a long time.

• I believe it would help me regulate. One of the reasons is because I feel like it’s going to help me really well.

• I would be more calm and I wouldn’t get mad a lot or have meltdowns.

• It will be more of a calm dog, I can sit with it, lay down with it. I like it because if there is a place I don’t want to go, I can pet the dog and stay with it, it will help me feel more safe and comfortable.

• It will help me in the car. I don't like being in the car for long trips because there is nothing to do and I don’t like sitting in the car for a long time because I cannot be active. Having a dog in the car, I would be able to pet it and it would be able to stay with me to help me stay calm.

• I’m looking forward to sitting with it, cuddling with it and having a furry friend.

Benefits and Skills of a Service Dog for Eliana

• Keeping Eliana calm
• Providing comfort in new or crowded places
• Sensory support
• Recognizing a meltdown and providing distraction or deep pressure therapy
• Distracting from repetitive behaviors
• Cognitive and emotional growth
• Reducing anxiety
• Companionship

Where Are We Getting the Dog From?

New Hope Assistance Dogs in Warren, PA.

In our ongoing research for tools, techniques and resources to help Eliana, we discovered Autism Service Dogs. I looked for an organization that was relatively close to us and found New Hope Assistance Dogs, LLC. They are located just over an hour from where we are, which will make it easy to for Eliana meet her companion and attend the on-site training. I wasn't sure if Eliana would qualify for a service dog, but I decided to send in an application and see what would happen. About two months later we received an email and began the next phase of the application process, which included lots of paperwork and phone calls with the organization staff and trainers.  A few weeks later, we received a call that Eliana has been accepted into the program! Fundraising has begun and we are hoping to meet her match the end of August.

The Need - $17,000, starting with a $5,000 Deposit