THE mother of a child with autism is appealing for financial help to allow her acquire a specially trained dog that would greatly improve her son’s quality of life.
Alex Murphy (3), from Priorswood, was diagnosed with autism a year ago.
His mother Melissa, with support from family and friends, has raised
?¬2,400 towards the autism service dog through raffles and sponsorship, as well as a pub night at the Swiss Cottage, Santry.
Service Dogs Europe, the organisation that trains the dogs, confirmed to Northside People that the total price for one for Alex would be
?¬4,950 plus VAT, although the tax element can be claimed back.
“We did very well to raise what we have so far but I can’t think of any other ways to get the extra money we need,
? Melissa told Northside People.
“If we got this dog it would be life changing for Alex and our family.
“Because of Alex’s condition, we have never been able to have any family outings and it seems so unfair to my five-year-old daughter.
“When we did try to go out to a restaurant as a family, Alex screamed the place down and we had to leave. We can’t even bring him to a park.
“If we were able to get this dog it would give us some quality of life back.
?
Melissa explained that every child with autism is different and, in Alex’s case, it’s the repetitive behaviour that affects him most.
She feels that a fully trained autism service dog would have a calming influence on him whenever he reaches
“meltdown
?.
“Service Dogs Europe would train the dog to suit Alex’s needs,
? she stated.
“It would make a huge difference to his life.
?
Currently, a tutor for children with autism visits Alex’s house 20 hours a week and, according to Melissa, there have been improvements in his condition.
“He wasn’t speaking at all up until last year and now he can speak a few words so he is making progress,
? she added.
“We will be looking to get him into a school for children with autism next year or the year after.
?
Service Dogs Europe’s Autism Service Dog Programme focuses on improving the quality of life for families of children or adults living with autism.
The highly skilled service dogs offer families three key advantages – safety, comfort and inclusion. This is achieved by providing a fully trained dog and training and support to the parents of the child or adult.
Service Dogs Europe say that as well as these advantages, families with autism service dogs have also reported other benefits including:
?¢ Improved participation in social and leisure activities for the family;
?¢ Improved quality and quantity of sleep as the child/adult may wake less with the dog sleeping in his/her room;
?¢ Positive changes in the child’s/adult’s behaviour
If anyone would like to support Alex’s appeal for an autism service dog, email melissafitzpatrick1983@gmail.com