This crossed my desk the other day, a note about about a couple trying to raise funds to buy a service dog for their 7-year old daughter who was born with something called 18p. Tetrasomy 18p results in a developmental delay and autistic tendencies such as a pervasive, potentially dangerous trust of strangers, a lack of social boundaries, and extreme sociability.
The dogs cost $18,000, which covers the cost of training, vet costs, a comprehensive follow-up program, and lifelong training support.
Autism Service Dogs are specially trained to provide companionship, safety and independence for people like Katie. They can guide her, stop her from running into traffic and ensure she doesn’t leave the house without an adult. Most importantly a dog like this can also notify Katie’s parents when Katie wakes during the night. Currently, Katie awakens — sometimes with seizure-like activity — two to three times a night, five nights a week on average.
Katie’s mom says, “It has been seven years since I slept well. I sleep with one ear open. It has been trying.”
A website has been set up here, and donations are being collected.
