"I would feel happy if I got a dog to calm me down because I would take it for walks and feed it. It's cuteness would calm me down when I am having a hard time. It would go with me everywhere. It might get along with the other cats. I will take lots of care for it and I will love it very much."
- Riley,8 (Asperger's)
If you would like to donate toward Riley's service dog, click here to contribute on-line.
Or, checks can be sent to:
Donations are tax deductable. Make sure you put "Riley O'Neil" in the special instructions.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
* for more on autism service dogs click here.
26 comments:
What a wonderful idea!! I will make GFCF dog treats, I promise! :) Meanwhile, the NYT had a health blog post about a boy wiht Asperger's living in a pet-free co-op in NYC and the struggle to get him a service dog. We're thinking of one here too - but we rent, so I'm not sure we could. And I guess we'd need a kennel full?? 3 kids, 3 dogs? Wait! It would cut down on heat bills! 3 Dog Night!
Michelle, can I blog this piece?? Send me the code! K
head's up all - it's VERY easy to miss the special instruction box! don't hit the 'send donation' button until you've found it!
good luck, michelle! 11k or bust :)
Your kids are just GORGEOUS!! and double trouble if ever I saw it ;D
I cannot encourage you enough in your venture to get a dog and I'm so looking forward to hearing RIley's adventures with her new four legged friend.
Kim, we have just got cats (see blog for details) and they have been a really positive influence on bear so if dogs are a no go you could try for a cat. Meg, our dog, has been glad of the help in sharing the love lately as Bear has been EXTREMELY loving!!
Thanks Kim,I didn't think of the money we'll save on heating!
Jess, thanks for the tip on the special instructions.
Amanda, thank you for mentioning the cuteness. Hot Toddy gets miffed when the cuteness goes unrecognized. He'll be happy now.
This is wonderful! Thanks for letting me donate towards Riley's dog. Best wishes.
Maggie
Thank you so much Maggie!!!
Holy crud, she looks like you!
Thanks for the link.
Love this!
Ah we are having similar debates around here. I have one who is more or less phobic about dogs and others that are much more keen. For the time being it's regular trips to the dog park to desensitize [or try anyway] I really hope that this works out for you.
Best wishes
I'll contribute.. and I'll put a link to your doggie blog post...
I once met a young boy with HFA and his service dog. There is an organization here in MA (I think) that provides service dogs for kids with autism (I need to look it up, it's been a while). Dad was doing a presentation about the how, what and why in a booth at an autism conference, and the booth got very crowded. Boy got a bit restless. Doggie went from drowsy pooch (a lovely golden) to full blown therapist in nano seconds..boy calmed down almost immediately. Not a word was spoken, but oh, the communication going back and forth between dog and boy. It was beautiful to watch.
Salamander has been asking for a dog for years. I've looked into service dogs myself off and on over the years, but just am not ready to make that kind of commitment. We're working on some other stuff right now, but maybe I will revisit this come next year summer.
Oh, and I just have to ask.. Have you considered trying to get part of the money as a loan? If you are, I can talk to Tori about getting a loan up for Riley's dog (in any amount you choose) at Lend4Health.blogspot.com. Loans are interest free..
Petra, Thank you so much for contributing and also for the lovely story! It's just what I am hoping will happen with Riley after she gets the dog, when she starts to escalate.
As far as the loan goes, I appreciate the thought, and it's a great idea, but the funds for the service dogs have to be donated.
I am feeling confident about the doggie. Every little bit helps, and with lots of little bits, we'll get there.
It takes a village, and what an amazing one we have!
I'm including a letter in my annual holiday mailing to clients (they're getting a free calendar, doggone it -- ha ha), and would be happy to share it with anyone who'd like to do their own direct mail appeal! Just email me at kconnors@swcp.com and let me know if you want it in Publisher (which it's in so I could include the cute photo from the blog), pdf, or whatever you need. It would fit in nicely with your holiday cards...
Wow KC! Aren't you nice! And after I made fun of your picture.
I'll call you later.
XO
THANK YOU!
Despite the warnings to find the special instructions box before hitting "donate," I missed it.
But you know what? Just seconds after I had sent an email to the organization requesting that they apply my donation to Riley's account, I received a message asking for whom the donation was intended. They apparently are aware that the special instructions box is very hard to find, but can't change PayPal's set up.
I was very impressed with the instant follow up. What a very nice organization.
I can't wait to see pix of Riley and her dog.
Pixie Mama!
Thank you so very much. My heart is full!
HT gets mad at unrecognized cuteness?
Your family is weird.
But in a good way, right anon?
Not that I'm backtracking, but Todd has toned down a bit. When they were babies he'd come home from the grocery store with the kids,
"What is WRONG with people? Not ONE comment on the cuteness!"
I think it's just him that's weird. I'm perfectly normal.
I found this link through Kim S's blog. I would like to donate for Riley's dog. Do you have a link for a facebook cause - if so, I'll donate that way and send it out to my friends?
Gail C.
Gail C.,
Great idea! Thank you so much. I'm kind of clueless when it comes to Facebook. Is there a way the donations could go directly to 4 Paws for Ability? The money is not supposed to change hands with the family.
If you have any advice how to get started with a "cause" on Facebook, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks again!
Sadly, I'm also facebook challenged. If you have a page you can add causes. That's all I know. I'm going to make my donation now but if you get the facebook thing going please post it so that I can add it to my page. Good luck.
Gail C.
Thanks so much Gail! I will check into it. Maybe my younger brothers can show me the way!
Just stumbled across your blog and wanted to tell you what a difference my son's service dog has made for our entire family. My son is 6 and not terribly verbal (although he's made a considerable amount of progress since Charlie entered our lives.) We've been keeping a blog-chronicle of Charlie's work and I'd be honored if you'd stop by. You can find it at www.charliethenorthstardog.blogspot.com.
Best wishes to you and your family. I hope that your dog arrives ASAP so that you can all experience what we've been feeling with Charlie!
I found your blog via Abe-Hicks one day & have been a regular reader for over a year now. Your kids & your stories are a joy to read. Glad that I got a chance to give back in however small way I could.
Carolyn,
I am so psyched to read every word of your blog!
Anonymous,
Thank you so very much.
what a wonderful idea! i'm off to donate this second. and MAN ALIVE, those kids of yours are ADORABLE!!!!
Kyra,
Thank you so much!
K, Sorry for the double email, I didnt get this post in my google reader. I am sending you a donation I also passed the post around to a couple of big blogger friends to post.
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