I and my husband are trying to raise money to pay for our son to receive a lifelong companion i.e. a service dog.
Jasper was diagnosed with autism last year but he is the smartest non-verbal boy you’ll ever get to meet or know. He may not speak but he communicates in other ways, he knows all his ABCs, numbers, shapes, and colors. We’re starting to figure out he knows how to read at 3! We also know the benefits of an animal let alone a service animal can have on children that don’t speak and even autistic children and the safety their little fur hearts bring.
It’s believed in a few articles based on autism service dogs, “Some proponents assert that such dogs do more than enhance physical safety. Some (e.g., Autism Service Dogs of America, 2011) argue that the dogs provide a “calming presence” that “can minimize and often eliminate emotional outbursts.” Some advocates believe that such dogs can provide “…. a focus through which the child can interact with other children. This helps increase the opportunity for the child to develop social and language skills.” Burrows, et al. (2008a) believe that dogs can positively influence children with autism in the areas of arousal and sensory stimulation, improving concerns in these areas. In addition, dogs can function as a “transitional object,” allowing the child with autism to first bond with the dog, an easier creature with which to do so, and this may eventually increase bonding with humans” and here’s a link for anyone curious in dogs serving for autistic children: https://researchautism.org/the-role-and-benefits-of-autism-service-dogs/
We really hope and pray we can raise the money to bond Jasper with a new fur companion that we believe will benefit our sweet son because we have read that an autistic service dog can accompany him to his dental visits and doctor visits which are the worst for him because he bursts out in tears. They’re also great for recognizing self-harming behaviors and can help de-escalate an emotional meltdown by leaning against or even laying across his lap to calm him. So in advance thank you to anyone who can help us meet this goal! Here’s a few more photos and a video of our sweet boy, he is very loving and smart I KID YOU NOT! His intelligence does show in the way he solves puzzles and brainy games at 2 years old!
Family and friends of Jasper Miller are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.
Jasper has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
