Amy Brooks seeks Autism Service Dog for little Jacey
I am the mother of a beautiful girl, Jacey Brooks, who has autism. Let me tell you a little bit about Jacey. She will be turning three in June 2010. She was diagnosed with Autism on February 2nd, 2010. That is a day that will forever be with me. The diagnosis was devastating, yet relieving; it was overwhelming, it was surreal.
You see, at about the age of two, we knew Jacey was delayed. We began speech and physical therapy in hopes of getting her back up to age level. Six months passed and she still was not speaking and her meltdowns were just as bad as before.
We finally decided that we would have her tested by the North Central Evaluation and Consultation Team for Autism. I hoped that it would be ruled out and that there would be another explanation for her delays.
When the team came back in and told us that it was Autism, that Jacey was right in the middle of the spectrum, I was shocked. I think time froze after that. The following days were a blur. I came up with reasons why the diagnosis couldn’t be possible, but eventually gave in to reality.
Since that time, I have learned a great deal. One of the greatest things that I have found in my searching of treatments and therapies is Autism Service Dogs. Currently, we cannot let Jacey go for even a second because she will run from us.
A service dog would allow Jacey the ability to have more freedom when we are in public by having Jacey tethered to the dog and being able to walk with the dog. A service dog would also be able to track and retrieve Jacey if she were to get away from us, comfort her when she is upset or having a meltdown, and keep her from dangerous activities and bad behaviors. It would give me another set of eyes to keep Jacey safe.
Jacey loves animals and bonds with them so well. I would love for her to have an Autism Service Dog that could give her the love and comfort that she doesn’t seek from us as much as from animals.
This is where you come in! Jacey has been accepted to receive a service dog but we must meet our fundraising goal of $13,000. We have signed on as volunteers for 4 Paws (a 501 c3) to raise money in Jacey’s behalf. I know that I can’t achieve this goal on my own and this is where I need you.
Help me help Jacey. You can go to www.4pawsforability.org/donation.html where there are directions for donating online. Be sure to include Jacey’s name in the notes so that it goes toward our goal.
We’ve also started a blog to keep everyone up on what’s happening with our dream for a Service Dog. Go to www.4PawsForJacey.blogspot.com. Thanks for helping us make an Autism Service Dog a reality!
Sincerely, Amy, Jacey, and the entire Brooks family.
Note: I highly endorse 4 Paws for Ability as a source for extremely well-trained service dogs. The organization is sound and its goals exceptional. Judy Vorfeld.