4 Paws for Abigail

Thank you to those who know our family and those who don't, for taking the time to learn about our daughter Abigail and her story.

Abigail is an incredible, bright, loving, and hilarious 13-year-old. She is very wise, an old soul. She loves horseback riding, cooking, music, creating new things, and painting. Abigail has so many gifts, but one particularly is awe-inspiring. The lens through which she views the world. We could only wish to view, know, and understand it. The way she looks at objects or problems is fascinating. Her ability to create and problem-solve is magical, messy, inventive, and beautiful. In addition to all these amazing things, Abigail is autistic and suffers from multiple mental health disorders, including Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder.

Symptoms of these disorders include inappropriate social interaction, poor eye contact, compulsive behavior, impulsivity, repetitive movements, self-harm, or persistent repetition of words or actions, dysfunction of social reciprocity, inability to read social cues and respond appropriately, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, overactive startle response, chronic fight, flight, or freeze response, irrational fears, irritability, inability to focus or concentrate appropriately, issues with memory and inability to follow-through, inability to perform multiple step tasks, poor educational progress, inability to self-regulate in high stress or high stimuli settings such as school or public settings.

We do not share Abigail's diagnosis lightly. We are talking about our 13-year-old little girl, our little girl. But we have chosen to share it, not for pity because if you know Abigail, she doesn’t need pity. We are sharing her diagnosis for awareness and support.

Abigail needs a psychiatric service dog (PSD). This specially trained service dog will help her in some of the most critical times of her social and emotional development. It will give her a sense of purpose, love, friendship, and independence. A service dog will comfort her in times of intense anxiety and irrational fear. It won't judge her. It will intervene when she is self-harming. Having a service dog can help ground her and help her in social situations. It can help snap her out of her rage or disorientation. It will be able to provide the love and acceptance that Abigail needs to bring back the happy little girl that is hidden in her heart.

In her short life, Abigail has endured a lot of pain and mental anguish. Things she experiences in her head, body, and pain brought forth by others. Whether it be from judgment, rejection, lack of awareness, or just plain cruelty. Even though Abigail tried her hardest to find a place amongst her peers, she never did. She suffered rejection, humiliation, and bullying, time and time again. Whether it be from her inability to relate to other children and/or vice versa. She is the kid who was rarely invited to birthday parties, playdates, and sleepovers. Kids made fun of her to her face and behind her back. She was tormented for being different and misunderstood. Kids would call her horrific and vile names, at school and online. She was even told by a couple of kids that she was better off dead and to kill herself.

I know Abigail is not alone in the battle of bullying and the quest for help in the mental health industry. We hear stories all the time and many of the stories we hear are because there was no happy ending because it was too late. This is why we are asking for your support and kindness.

I told Abigail that her Dr approved our request, and she was going to be able to get a service dog. Abigail has not spoken a word to her psychiatrist, due to her social and emotional issues. When I told her that her Dr. approved the dog, during Abigail's next appointment, she spoke a few words to her doctor, for the FIRST time! Her Dr. later said, “She really wants that dog.” We both laughed but it's very true. It's currently all she talks about and with the biggest smile and eyes so big and full of hope.

The cost of a service dog for Abigail is $22,000. We hope after reading this you will consider helping our daughter, by opening your hearts and helping us give Abigail this gift, a service dog that will improve her quality of life, that will improve our family's quality of life. We can’t put into words what this will mean for Abigail and our family. It goes beyond words of gratitude.

Abigail is the absolute best part of me. She has taught me patience, humility, honesty, the truest form of compassion, and the purest love I have ever known. In every sense of the word, she has taught me who I truly am and made me a better human. I almost lost her once and I swore to myself and God that I would move mountains to make sure that never happened again. So, this is my mountain and with all I have, I ask that you consider helping us make our little girl's dream come true to have her very own service dog!

Thank you.

“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.”

~Josh Billings

iMore information about 4 Paws For Ability, Inc.: The training and placement of skilled service dogs with children and veterans around the world.