Help Sophia fund a much-needed therapy dog

Help us get Sophia a therapy dog so she’s able to cope with everyday life.

This my exceptional 13-year-old daughter Sophia, who has high-functioning autism, ADHD, dyslexia, emetophobia and celiac disease.

These conditions mean that every minute of her day is a struggle as she’s trying to appear as if she’s functioning normally. She suffers from extreme anxiety, which impacts her whole world. She has two great passions: football (she’s a very good player) and swimming and being in water- both of which she’s unable to enjoy anymore.

To keep Sophia calm and functioning is increasingly difficult. She struggles immensely to have normal social interactions with her peers and she’s not able to attend school. It’s very lonely and alienating for her.

My husband has passed away, but Sophia, her younger sister and I have a supportive and loving wider family, as well as a tight-knit group of great people who understand the journey we’re on. But as you can imagine, this has a huge impact on our family.

We would like to bring a therapy dog into our family as it would be a literal life-changer. The dog would be Sophia’s constant companion - one that would never judge, would provide support and help boost confidence. This would enable Sophia to go places with her buddy and give her a focus in loving and caring for him. A therapy dog would change the entire dynamics of her world.

The Therapy dogs undergo an in-depth training programme over months so they can support the individual and accommodate their specific needs. The cost is $14,375 plus $650 each year for the ongoing Therapy Dog accreditation. This is a massive amount for my family, so am being brave and honest about our world and asking for help so that Sophia can gain a little more confidence each day, and be able to take on the world and achieve what she is meant to.

My wonderful daughter is strong willed and she’s adamant that a successful future lies ahead of her (one of her dreams is to meet Sir Richard Branson, who didn’t let his dyslexia hold him back). I believe a therapy dog will be a vital step in turning around Sophia’s life and setting her on that right path.