A NORTHSIDE mother’s appeal for financial help to purchase a specially trained dog for her son who has autism, has moved closer to its target.
Alex Murphy (3), from Priorswwod, was diagnosed with autism in 2013.
Last October, through Northside People, his mother Melissa launched the appeal with the aim of raising the
?¬6,080 needed to buy the Autism Service Dog.
Last week, Melissa said they have raised almost
?¬4,300 and are now making a final push to try and reach their target over the next few months.
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 VAT can be claimed back.
Melissa and her family would like to thank all those who have supported the campaign over the last three months, and in particular, Killester College of Further Education who raised
?¬900.
“We got a very good response to the initial article in the Northside People and are very pleased with how the appeal is going,
? said Melissa.
“Our family is very grateful for all the support we have received so far and we would like to thank all those who made donations.
“When Alex gets the dog, it will be life-changing.
“We are confident that it will improve his situation and have a positive effect on our family’s quality of life.
?
Melissa, said that Alex, who will turn four in May, is very excited about the prospect of getting the new dog.
“He’s really looking forward to it, and so is his sister Rebecca (6),
? she said.
Alex recently started attending the ABACAS Special School in Kilbarrack, which is for children who have been diagnosed with autism.
“He is very happy there and has settled in well,
? Melissa said.
Because of Alex’s condition, his family have never been able to enjoy outings. Melissa said that whenever they tried to go to a restaurant together, Alex would scream the place down and they had to leave.
“Every child with autism is different, and in Alex’s case, it’s the repetitive behaviour that affects him most,
? she said.
Melissa 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 added.
“It would make a huge difference to his life.
?
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 the Autism Service Dog, please visit www.ifundraise.ie/murphy