
Autistic Mentally Ill Teen in Need of Service Dog
Donation protected
[IMPORTANT UPDATE] We were able to get a dog!! Thank you so so much to everyone who's donated, it truly means the world to me. Approximately $2000 from donations went toward adopting Starbuck and I could not have done it without all the support. Donations are still encouraged as because of my disability I struggle to gain and hold on to a job. ⭐ STARBUCK IS IN NEED OF TRAINING, which costs around $10,000 ⭐ New donations will go toward his training to ensure he becomes the best service dog he can be.
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Hello. My name is Wes and I am a 17 year old autistic person who also has generalized anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. I have panic attacks when away from my home and am in need of a service dog I cannot afford. Due to a traumatizing event I had over a year ago I am unable to leave the house alone without having another panic attack. It's gotten to the point where I feel extremely anxious even in stores if I am separated from a trusted adult for too long, I can barely walk around my own street alone, and I have panic or anxiety attacks over seemingly insignificant things.
As well as this, my autism and GAD make things that are easier for others difficult for me. For example crowded spaces, bright lights, sudden change, and more. My OCD and GAD also mean I obsess and worry over lots of different things, sometimes severely enough I have meltdowns or panic attacks. I will need a service dog soon for going away to college. I have a big passion for art and animation and my dream is to get into an animation program where I can express myself with art. Without a service dog I will not be able to go - my mental health will decline and my panic attacks will worsen. Even if I manage to get over these attacks something else will pop up. I also need it for general comfort and safety. My family is a family of 5 and cannot afford to train and take care of a service dog, so any form of help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you<3
Organizer

Wes Cunningham
Organizer
Keswick, ON