"Little Angel" Service Dog for Brit

Hi there, I'm Brit! Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my fundraiser. I'm a 30-something school librarian from Northern Virginia raising funds for training and placing assistance dogs through Little Angels Service Dogs. Little Angels Service Dogs is a charitable nonprofit 501c3 corporation that reaches across all of the United States partnering service dogs with individuals with disabilities. They are dedicated to providing the highest quality dogs to assist in the daily lives of their recipients, including myself!

I was diagnosed with autism in 2009 while I was still in high school. My diagnosis proved to be a real relief for my family and I, as it finally put a name to the things I have struggled with all my life; namely, generalized and social anxiety, becoming overstimulated by large crowds and loud spaces, and depression. I also have debilitating panic attacks and meltdowns which often have lasting effects such as dissociation and mental fatigue. I have spent the last decade learning about myself through a new lens - from my tics and triggers to rediscovering creative outlets; celebrating my unique thought processes by way of my attention to detail, deep focus, and observation skills; and nurturing my empathy for people and passion for learning through my work in education.

This journey hasn’t been easy. I have been on anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication since I was 7 years old. I’ve attended support groups, social counseling, and outpatient behavioral health services; cycled through numerous therapists and psychiatrists; received neurofeedback (LENS) therapy; and read every self-improvement book I could find. December 2019 was the lowest I have ever been. I was having meltdowns daily. I seriously considered taking a leave of absence from work. I felt like I had finally run out of options. The prospect of a service dog has always been in the back of my mind, but I don’t qualify for a lot of organizations because I’m not a veteran or a minor. It wasn’t until I discovered the program for psychiatric assistance dogs at Little Angels Service Dogs that I realized two things: (1) a trained service dog would dramatically increase my quality of life and (2) with a bit of financial assistance, I could make this life-changing dream a reality. It has given me the hope I need to keep going.

My psychiatric service dog will be trained for a variety of tasks to help me manage and mitigate these challenges, including (1) medical alert, (2) deep pressure therapy, (3) non-protective boundary control, (4) signal alert, and (5) companionship.

Medical alert: Just as a dog can be trained to alert to seizures and other medical conditions, my service dog will also be trained to sense the changes in my body when I am beginning to have a panic attack, anxiety attack, or meltdown. They will be able to paw at my leg and interrupt what would otherwise be debilitating and destructive behaviors. This would help me, as the handler, to refocus on my dog and work through the problem.

Deep pressure therapy: Just as medical wraps or weighted blankets are used to alleviate anxiety in persons with psychiatric conditions, my dog will be trained to put the pressure of their body weight on my lap and abdomen to physically, and then mentally, relieve anxiety and induce a sense of calm.

Non-protective boundary control: Because I suffer from anxiety when in close proximity to people I’m not familiar with or feeling claustrophobic in a crowded room, my dog will be trained to stand in between me and others to allow me more personal space. My dog is not being protective with this task, but will follow a simple cue from me to move their body into the space surrounding me, in a down-stay position.

Signal alert: There are many situations when I need to excuse myself from a social situation due to psychiatric concerns. With a discrete signal to my dog, I can command them to paw at my leg, making it look like they are seeking attention. I will then be able to comfortably leave the situation with the excuse that my dog needs to relieve itself.

Companionship: It goes without saying that any service dog’s greatest assistance is the emotional support they can offer their handler. Most disabilities present trials that can be relieved on a mental level simply by a dog’s presence. A well behaved dog can help to lower blood pressure and give a sense of ease to anyone who is near. As someone on the autism spectrum I struggle with social anxiety, making peer-to-peer connections, and feeling lonely. Animals have always been steadfast companions throughout my life. 

Here’s where I need your help! A service dog costs an average of $38,000 to raise, train, and place. This money goes into fees such as adoption and whelping costs, boarding for 1-2 years, food, veterinary care and medications, field trip and travel expenses in order to expose the dogs to various environments, grooming, general supplies (such as leashes, vests, collars, tags, microchips, booties, crates, toys, harnesses), administrative and training fees, facility expenses (lease payments, utilities, kennel upkeep, etc.), and more. Every service dog in the Little Angels program has a minimum of 620 hours of training with their trainers. Little Angels also provides support and training refresher courses for the duration of the partnership.

Little Angels asks that recipients be responsible for helping to fundraise, which shows commitment to the program and to the dog. I am dedicated to raising money for this life-changing companion, but as a teacher, I don’t make a lot of money and find that much of my income is taken up with basic living expenses. So, this giving platform is such a blessing for people like me. Having a service dog by my side would be both calming and help me to feel secure and confident in going out and interacting with others, without fear of meltdowns or extra anxiety. It would also allow me to feel like I could be more open about my neurodivergence, own that part of my identity, and connect with others in similar situations to raise awareness for the broad spectrum of autism and the incredible jobs of service dogs! Thank you sincerely for any donation, regardless of amount, for helping this long-time dream come true. I'd be forever grateful if you could share my fundraiser link with any friends and family you know through email, text, or social media. Spreading the word is incredibly helpful to my success. You are true angels!

Warmly,

Brit