Help Covie become Huxleys assistance dog

Our beautiful black Labrador Covie has passed the initial screening to become Huxleys assistance dog (which is why we got Covie), amazing as this is; it is going to be an expensive, 18-24 month long process. We have a couple more assessments to pass, and we have to attend weekly training sessions with an experienced dog trainer, and once we have completed the foundation of training, he will move onto assistance dog tasks training.

Anyone who knows Huxley, will be aware how beneficial it will be to have Covie certified to be able to go with him everywhere, this will reduce his anxiety and sensory struggles because he has his best friend with him. We currently take Covie everywhere (to an extent) with us, however, as you are aware, dogs cannot go absolutely everywhere unless certified which is our goal - and an achievable one at that. We are so lucky to have such a docile dog, that is able to be a part of this opportunity.

Covies main task as an assistance dog will be DPT, which essentially means he will provide Huxley with physical support when he is feeling overwhelmed and will reduce the risk of Huxley having a breakdown while we are out and about. He will also assist Huxley in public areas, where he is known to abscond, but having his best bud there will reduce the chances of him taking off. (All of this is due to Huxleys brain injury he suffered at birth)

Currently, we do not go out much into the community because Huxley is incredibly unsettled and gets very overwhelmed, having Covie with us will reduce this and we will be able to access the community more often to do activities with Huxley. Covie will also be able to attend all of Huxleys specialist, hospital and doctor appointments with us which are a struggle to do at the moment. Unfortunately this is how life is, and will continue to be, Covie will not change that - but he will help us immensely.

The cost of this whole process upfront is $5,000, plus weekly training sessions which can vary in prices. As you can imagine, an expensive process but definitely worth it in the long run for Huxleys needs. If you are able to in any way possible, donate as little or as much funds as you can, this will help us immensely to get the process started sooner rather than later.