An Assistance Dog For Blake

Meet Blake, our happy, full of energy 4.5 year old who has Autism and is also non verbal. We love him sooo much and wouldn't trade him for the world!

Blake was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder in April 2015 and although it wasn't a complete shock, we now had an answer. I would be lying if I said It didn't hurt like hell because I felt I had failed our beautiful wee man that I carried for 9 months and gave birth to. I know now I had nothing to do with his autism but I still at times feel responsible.

We suspected Blake had something going on when he didn't walk, talk or reach the other milestones typical for kids his age, we were both hoping that he would just do things in his own time. We were referred to a specialist at the hospital and that is when our long journey began.

Once I came to the conclusion that Blake may have Autism, I grieved, like I actually cried and cried for a good 2 days. Call me selfish or stupid or whatever you want, but when you get pregnant and have children, you expect them to be perfect and healthy. You don't expect them to have anything wrong. I grieved for that little child that I was expecting that I never got. I started to worry, will he ever talk?, will he go to a mainstream school, college or even be able to attend university?, will he have a job?, get married and eventually have a family of his own??

I came across Assistance Dogs New Zealand one day on Facebook and burst into tears as here are these wonderful people who breed raise and train these AMAZING dogs to help people with special needs have a safer and more independent life while also offering a non judgmental companion. I could see the massive benefit of having an assistant dog as part of our family so I applied, it was worth a shot, right?

Julie from ADNZ came to see us in June and brought with her Amber, a gorgeous golden lab. Blake didn't quite understand what this thing was doing lying on the lounge floor. Julie offered to take Blake for a walk with Amber to see how Blake would respond to being attached to a dog, we were not expecting great things to be honest, but we were absolutely blown away. For the first time in Blake's 4 years we were able to go out for a walk as a family without Blake being in his buggy. Amber kept Blake safe so he wasn't able to run off out onto the road as Blake has no sense of danger and is a runner.

It was an absolutely amazing experience and brought tears to our eyes because we had found a way for Blake to have his independence while still keeping him safe and secure. The future with our beautiful boy with Autism was looking brighter.

Anywho, The reason for this page is because we are wanting to raise funds and awareness to provide Blake with his own Autism Specific Assistance Dog.

These incredible dogs cost $48,000 to breed, raise and train and we are asked to contribute $20,000 towards Blake's dog. I know its a lot of money but during our 2 hour trial, we got a glimpse into what life could be like as a "normal" family doing "normal" family things, so its well worth it to give Blake the freedom while still keeping him safe.

It would be my dream to raise over and above the $20,000 required to give other families struggling to raise this kind of money a huge head start that are also on this journey.

Thank you :)