Let's get an Assistance Dog for Maia

Maia is a 11 year old girl who loves animals, Minecraft, beaches, and her Grammy. She is a funny, bright girl who really wants to connect with people and take part in activities.

Maia is also Autistic. It’s a part of who she is, and why she sees and responds to the world in a beautifully unique way.

Maia struggles with many of the everyday activities we take for granted. She has overcome so many challenges in her life, however her sensory differences still greatly affect her. She can get easily overwhelmed by everyday factors like noise, crowds, and meeting new people; with an anxiety that at times can make it impossible to communicate or to take part in wider community activities, which has led to a high degree of isolation for Maia and her family.

Maia has been on a waitlist for an Assistance Dog from Assistance Dogs NZ Trust (ADNZT) for some years. She recently got to meet one of their beautiful, well-trained working dogs, and she hopes to have her matched Assistance Dog with her soon.

Assistance Dogs from ADNZT are highly trained animals, with the same legal recognition and public access rights as Guide Dogs. Each dog is trained and matched to fit with their person’s needs. The complexity of Maia's need means that she requires a dog with this level of expert training, that can be a companion wherever she goes. Having an Assistance Dog with Maia would be life-changing – providing a loving and non-judgmental furry friend, a safe and calming anchor for when she begins to feel overwhelmed, a focus to encourage more social connections, and an opportunity to help her develop confidence and independence. It would also greatly help her education, by having her Assistance Dog join her at school.

Maia and her family would be so thankful for any assistance, no matter how large or small, to help them realise this chance for her. As Maia puts it, having an Assistance Dog come to live with her would be “the happiest day of my life”.