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Assistance Dog For Baxter

  • $17,046, 98 donations

      26 August 2015
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    I googled 'assistance dog for baxter' last week, it's a quick way to access his givealittle page. Ironically, I found this page in the search results. Baxter Boo is our nickname for Bax, and the page result was to observe International Assistance Dogs Awareness week. Some way down the page it talks about dogs for autism, which was right on the button.

    We are nearing the end of our givealittle campaign, and sadly have fallen short of where we wanted to be so far. Largely due to my inability to manage my work and family commitments on top of fundraising efforts over the last three months.

    To all those who have given recently, we appreciate your help - this has been through chance connections. We will find a way to come up with any shortfall as this dog is so important to us, and ADNZ are going to change our lives.

    Baxter is progressing well developmentally, with an increased ability to follow instructions, and the odd word falling out when he is frustrated. He loves RDA, and thankfully the weather is improving for him to spend more time outside at home.

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  • Fundraising Walk, $14,865 raised, 88 donations

      22 April 2015
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    Last week we flew up to Auckland with the kids to attend a fundraising walk on Sunday 19th April, organised by Jackie Oades on behalf of Colwill School.

    The weather was perfect and we had nearly 40 people attend to walk 10kms around Auckland's waterfront from St Heliers Bay to Okahu Bay and back.

    I met a distant cousin I hadn't seen for 20 years, caught up with family, met some new people, and even had a lovely lady whom I hadn't seen since school lend me her buggy for the day.

    We had a local mum (and handler) bring her daughter's assistance dog to talk with our group and a couple of passers by, stealing the show with both cuteness and reality. My oldest son, Baxter's brother Austin got to walk Casey which is a very important job for a six year old!

    It's ironic that the isolation that can come from raising a child with special needs is the very catalyst for opening up networks and old connections that may never occur otherwise.

    The final tally has not yet come in from Colwill School, but whatever it is, it is incredibly meaningful when coupled with an event. We were stoked to have the opportunity to connect and reconnect last Sunday. We felt normal for a few hours, like every other family.

    Please see Baxter's facebook page for more pictures.

    Ngaire :o)

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  • Front page news, 80 donations, $14,045 raised!

      5 April 2015
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    It's been a little while since our last update while we needed to refocus on our business. In the mean time we were so proud to see our boy on the front page of The Wellingtonian last week. This was great because it means more people will know what autism is, how it affects children and families, and how much an assistance dog will have an impact on Baxter's level of independence, and thus broadening our options as a family to do more of what other families do.

    Very humbled indeed to receive more donations from strangers, from people we know but haven't caught up with for years, and from business contacts. To everyone, thank you.

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  • Half the money raised!!!

      17 March 2015
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    To all our supporters, today we hit the half way mark and we want to say a great big thank you!

    Jeremy and I have had to turn our attention back to our business for the last couple of weeks so the fundraising front has been a bit quiet, but we are so grateful for the ongoing support, and have a few more things up our sleeves yet.

    If you haven't 'liked' Baxter's facebook page yet, please do! I will continue to post updates here, a bit more frequently going forward. We want everyone to know and see how their donation helps us when the time comes.

    Ngaire :o)

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  • If only Baxter knew...

      5 February 2015

    ...that he now has 47 donations, totalling $9,085 raised towards his new companion, and 252 friends watching progress on his Facebook page. There is a problem with the givealittle website so we can't individually thank the donors of last 7 days, and your contributions mean so much! We have also asked for an update on how the training is going and hope to share that with everyone soon, plus a first day of school pic.

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    • 26/02/2015 by Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust

      Thank you so much to All Baxter's supporters as you help this family and us continue with the breeding, raising, training and placing these very special dogs.

      If you would like to know more about Assistance Dogs New Zealand please visit our webpage and of course we welcome visitors and 'likes' to our FaceBook Page as well.

      We look forward to catching up with Baxter soon! :-)

      Julie

    • 12/03/2015 by Selena Diprose

      I'm wanting to shave my hair to fundraise money for your family and also other families in a similar situation raising funds for a much needed assistance dog. But because your family will benefit from my fundraising I need your permission to fundraise for you! So please could you accept my help, and then I can set up the fundraising page! Thank-you From Selena

    • 17/03/2015 by Ngaire Mansfield

      Hi Selena,

      Wow what an offer! Please contact me at ngaire@straightflush.co.nz I'd love to talk. And I know a good barber....

      Ngaire :o)

  • Feeling gracious

      28 January 2015
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    35 donations, $7,935 raised, 208 facebook likes in only two weeks!

    Word is spreading and so many donations from strangers, wow! Baxter has a lot of support and I am just amazed at what a busy start we have had to the campaign. Very proud mama.

    This is bax a year ago before he fell and knocked his front tooth out. I can't use photoshop to deal to the snot and dirt, but they are part of the package with any busy little boy aren't they?

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  • Woohoo!

      23 January 2015
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    Thanks to all our latest donors. 22 donations, $7,230 raised, and 100 people following our story on Baxter's facebook page

    www.facebook.com/assistancedogforbaxter

    You are all wonderful people showing him such support.

    This pic is Bax in back yard before Xmas, he couldn't wait to put his togs on, so he didn't!

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  • 11 donations!

      21 January 2015
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    Wow everybody, just wow. I have never fundraised before and am feeling very gracious about all of the support for Baxter. Thank you to each and every donor so far and may there be plenty more!

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