Maverick’s Service Dog
Donation protected
Hi everyone,
Maverick is 3 1/2 years old, completely non-verbal and experiences some very extreme behaviors that has been exhausting to work through. Corey and I have been waiting a while to have Maverick tested for potential Autism. He finally completed his testing and was diagnosed with Autism Level 2.5. This is based on a scale of 1-3. Level 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe. For months, we have been mentally preparing for this news. We were not shocked and very thankful we began an early search for programs and service aides in the event his testing revealed Autism. This early research enabled us not only to be mentally prepared, but also gave us a path to navigate through what programs, therapies, lifestyle changes and aides he will need to appropriately integrate into living as normally as possible. One of the aides being highly recommended for him is a service dog. Luckily, we had began researching this early to learn just how a service dog could help. Maverick does not do well with crowds and has extreme break downs sometimes even as little as people in a grocery store. Aside from crowds, he also experiences random meltdowns which include harming himself and difficulty sleeping. A service dog for him would help with deep pressure therapy, meltdown interruption and distraction when he is overwhelmed. He loves animals a lot and it helps him during these times such as being out with the horses.
The process for getting a service dog is very long and expensive. We are facing a 3-5 year wait time and anywhere between $15k to $20k. THANKFULLY, through a good friend, a puppy is being generously donated to Maverick! As for the certified instruction needed, we have been in conversation with a highly recommended amazing training facility right here in Oklahoma. The additional costs to get the puppy here and properly trained is going to be right about $5,400.
Training; $4,600-$5,000
Flight and hotel; $800
With this, we will be able to get Mavericks puppy here right away and all training completed in 6-8 months. We would not have to wait the 3-5 years and is $10k-$15k less expensive!
We have had a lot of change in our house this past month so we are reaching out to our family and friends. If you are able to help with the expenses and/or share this post, we would be very grateful.
Thank you to everyone that has been by our sides through this all!
Maverick is 3 1/2 years old, completely non-verbal and experiences some very extreme behaviors that has been exhausting to work through. Corey and I have been waiting a while to have Maverick tested for potential Autism. He finally completed his testing and was diagnosed with Autism Level 2.5. This is based on a scale of 1-3. Level 1 being mild and 3 being the most severe. For months, we have been mentally preparing for this news. We were not shocked and very thankful we began an early search for programs and service aides in the event his testing revealed Autism. This early research enabled us not only to be mentally prepared, but also gave us a path to navigate through what programs, therapies, lifestyle changes and aides he will need to appropriately integrate into living as normally as possible. One of the aides being highly recommended for him is a service dog. Luckily, we had began researching this early to learn just how a service dog could help. Maverick does not do well with crowds and has extreme break downs sometimes even as little as people in a grocery store. Aside from crowds, he also experiences random meltdowns which include harming himself and difficulty sleeping. A service dog for him would help with deep pressure therapy, meltdown interruption and distraction when he is overwhelmed. He loves animals a lot and it helps him during these times such as being out with the horses.
The process for getting a service dog is very long and expensive. We are facing a 3-5 year wait time and anywhere between $15k to $20k. THANKFULLY, through a good friend, a puppy is being generously donated to Maverick! As for the certified instruction needed, we have been in conversation with a highly recommended amazing training facility right here in Oklahoma. The additional costs to get the puppy here and properly trained is going to be right about $5,400.
Training; $4,600-$5,000
Flight and hotel; $800
With this, we will be able to get Mavericks puppy here right away and all training completed in 6-8 months. We would not have to wait the 3-5 years and is $10k-$15k less expensive!
We have had a lot of change in our house this past month so we are reaching out to our family and friends. If you are able to help with the expenses and/or share this post, we would be very grateful.
Thank you to everyone that has been by our sides through this all!
Organizer
Falisha Raiche
Organizer
Cleo Springs, OK