Dillon Neeley needs a new “leash” on life!
Dillon Neeley is a happy, bright, and sometimes talkative little boy. This wasn’t always the case. When he was little, Dillon didn’t talk and couldn’t use sign language, so we were left guessing what he needed. He hated being hugged and touched, and didn’t interact with others, including children. We found out he had autism just after his second birthday.
We’ve worked hard over the last two years, and Dillon has improved a lot. But there’s something else that could help give him the confidence to continue to grow: an autism service dog.
I would do anything to help Dillon navigate his way through the world, and it would give me great comfort if he had a best friend always by his side. A service dog would give him such comfort, benefiting him in ways that’s almost magical.
Dillon is oblivious to the dangers of the word. He crosses streets without a hint of fear, even as a car approaches. He loves swimming, but has no concept of how to hold his breath or that not all water is safe. And if he ever got lost, he would be unable to tell someone his name or where he lived.
Every teacher and therapist who has worked with Dillon asserts that he is highly intelligent. At age two, he knew his entire alphabet, upper and lower case; he is engrossed by shapes and colors, and at four, is rapidly learning to read. The challenges of his autism cause frustration when he is unable to achieve something he wants to do. He is unable to calm himself down enough to focus on easy tasks. Things that most kids love to do- like coloring- send Dillon into a fit of tears. I hope that a service dog from 4 Paws for Ability will calm and help him focus so that he is able to continue learning, something he loves to do.
Joyous occasions like Halloween are so stressful that we rarely go trick-or-treating. He spent last Christmas huddled in his room, overwhelmed by the visiting family. We rarely take him out to eat, other than the occasional fast food restaurant, because he can’t seem to sit still or manage his twitches. Other families have told me wondrous stories about how their service dogs exude such accepting calmness that their child can suddenly do things they’ve never done before. If a service dog would allow Dillon to enjoy Christmas, I would be so overjoyed.
When Dillon’s routine stays consistent, he tends to stay calm. But if his routine changes, he can really become confused, scared, and upset. Unfortunately, my husband’s job tends to move us every two years or so, so we’re constantly setting up new routines and going to new places. This can be very stressful for Dillon, and having a dog that will stand by his side through all of the changes will really help.
So I am asking if you can be a superhero for my son and give him a miracle that can change his life. I know times are tough right now, but even a dollar will bring Dillon one step closer to gaining a new “leash” on life.
4 Paws for Ability is a great organization that rescues many of their dogs from animal shelters and rescue groups. They then match up the dog with a child who needs him.
Please consider helping Dillon by donating to 4 Paws for Ability, 253 Dayton Ave., Xenia, Ohio 45385. Please write “In honor of Dillon Neeley” on the check. For more information, please visit www.4pawsforability.org or call (937) 374-0385. You can also visit http://www.freewebs.com/dogfordillon. Anything will help! Thank you and God bless!
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.