Help Fundraise for Sophie’s Autism Assistance Dog

A Little History - Get to know me:

My name is Sophie and I am 25 years old. That may be my ‘age’ but much of me is stuck in 2013 as a scared 15 year old, who has now lost the majority of the past 10 years my life to mental illness being hospitalised and monitored 24/7 - not a normal way for a teenager to spend her youth. My experience has given me maturity in some ways, being forced to split from my family, but also immaturity and naivety as as I have never had independence or experienced life as an adult.

During my first year in hospital I was diagnosed with autism. This was a difficult diagnosis to accept at first, but over the years I’ve found comfort in it as it explains the challenges I face daily that may not be difficult for others who are neurotypical. Growing up, I became very good at masking and so to a passer-by they would not notice the crippling anxiety I experienced just going out of the house and into social situations. Subconsciously, I used masking to seem ‘normal’ however it’s implications meant frequently experiencing autistic burnout.

My autism diagnosis means that I struggle to go out to the shops independently or use public transport. Attending social groups and making friends remains an unachievable dream due to the anxiety that would ensue. An autism assistance dog would give me the companionship and confidence to explore my local community. I experience non-epileptic seizures related to low blood glucose, struggle with taking medication and a long standing history of self harm as well as anorexia. My family, my clinical team and myself are all in agreement that to break the cycle of hospital admissions and manage the real world that I find scary and overstimulating to walk into, I need a companion in the form of an autism assistance dog.

How an Autism Assistance do help me with my Social, Sensory, Emotional & Mental Health Tasks:

An autism assistance dog could interrupt excessive exercise routines that I complete due to my anorexia. The dog would be trained to detect the early warning signs of anxiety, distress and sensory overload and interrupt my meltdowns - e.g., fetch support items such as ear defenders and PRN medication and lie on me to apply light and deep pressure therapy to help ground me or provide a head rest. Also, when in public spaces, if experiencing sensory overload a dog could provide cover - for example, lie down in front of me to create space between me and the general public.

A trained assistance dog would be able to interrupt dissociative episodes, and self harm and destructive behaviours, as well as provide tactile stimulation as a distraction.

An assistance dog would also help me to develop a healthier sleep pattern, as at the minute I rely on sedative medication to achieve sleep (without, I only manage 30 minutes a night). Practically speaking, an autism assistance dog could also help me to structure my days - for example breaking up the day with dog walks at set times.

Part of my autism means I often don’t get hunger and thirst signals so an assistance dog would help remind regular eating and hydration, as well as reminding me to take my medication at set times throughout the day.

The Autism Assistance Dog could provide Medical Alert & Response:

The dog would be able be alert to upcoming medical events such as seizures, hypo, fainting etc and lie beside me when I’ve fallen, put a pillow under my head and provide tactile stimulation during/after medical event to promote recovery. The dog would be trained to fetch emergency glucose for when my blood sugars drop due to anorexia-related food restriction and fetch and give health care plan to carer/ emergency services if necessary.

I also experience chronic pain on a daily basis. I am never without pain but when a flare up occurs I am left bed bound, unable to stand or uncurl from the foetal position. An assistance dog could apply deep pressure to the affected areas, fetch pain relief and contact my emergency connections, for example my mum.

(1) Video Link: How an Autism Assistance Dog Could Help me in Everyday Life:

The following link takes you to a video that displays some of the tasks that an autism assistance dog could be trained to do to help me manage my anxiety in everyday life:

https://www.wokingnewsandmail.co.uk/news/lets-do-life-how-assistance-dog-noodle-transformed-kiera-595114

(2) Video Link: How an Autism Assistance Dog Could Help Reduce Meltdowns in Crowded Environments:

The video below how my autism assistance dog could be trained to reduce my anxiety and fear around crowds and having to make physical contact with others:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJbtaKtQ/

(3) Video Link: How an Autism Assistance Dog Could Apply Deep Pressure Therapy as a Grounding Technique:

This third video displays how an autism assistance dog could help me to attend medical appointments, something I struggle to do independently. The dog would help alleviate anxiety around being in a confined public space and could lie across me to provide deep pressure therapy to reduce anxiety in consultations with practitioners:

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGJbtVfQT/

Funding:

Whilst this could be a life changing opportunity the process of acquiring an autism assistance dog and having it trained bespoke for my needs, it is an expensive form of ‘medication’ (because that’s what it is really). To receive a fully trained assistance dog from autism charities can cost £14k plus and there are long waiting lists to even be considered - I have found that if I purchase a dog with the right temperament (research has shown Australian Labradoodles to be most effective for individuals with autism) and then have an independent trainer close to home devise a bespoke training package, I can bring the costs down to about £8k. However, unable to work, due to physical and mental health risks, I cannot afford this. I have been in contact with a breeder who would match me with a pup of the appropriate temperament; this in itself costs £4000. I have had contact with several external training providers and have decided that on either Pawsable (https://pawsable.com/) or Pawsitive Squad (https://www.pawsitivesquad.co.uk/), both of which would provide bespoke ongoing training and support - but again, long term, further costs would be another £4000.

I know it’s a lot to ask and I hate asking for any form of help let alone financial help but I truly believe that if l were able to purchase and train an autism assistance dog I would stand a chance of some quality of life, rather than being restricted to my house due to a lack of confidence and ability to function in a world that stimulates sensory overload at every corner.

Short Term and Long Term Benefits:

Short term, this dog could restore the relationship I had with my mum which has gone from mother-daughter to a carer, allow me to see family members without such intense anxiety, develop some independence and companionship and long term, achieve my dream of having a family myself and being happy.

Sharing my story is very daunting to me and makes me feel vulnerable to self destructive behaviours but I’m starting to learn to not be ashamed of my past or the conditions I have.

Nobody’s life is perfect; we only show outsiders the parts of ourselves we want to.

Medication and hospitalisation may have kept me ALIVE for 10 years, but having an autism assistance dog could be my last chance and allow me to LIVE and not just survive.

No matter the size of the donation I would be truly grateful for anything you can give to support my cause and giving me a life worth living. Please share with your family and friends.

Thank you

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