09/01/2025
We need your help!!!!
Help Porter Get an Autism Service Dog
We’re reaching out to ask for your support in helping us bring an autism service dog into our family to support our son, Porter. For children with autism, these incredible animals provide not only companionship but also critical support that can transform everyday life. The journey to secure a service dog is filled with hope, but it also comes with significant costs and a lengthy process.
With your help, we can give Porter the life-changing opportunity to thrive with a trained autism service dog by his side.
What Is an Autism Service Dog?
Autism service dogs are specially trained to meet the unique needs of children with autism. Beyond being a loving companion, they are trained to assist with tasks that provide safety, comfort, and support. These dogs can:
• Ensure Safety: Prevent wandering or bolting in public spaces by tethering to the child.
• Provide Calm: Deliver sensory input or deep pressure therapy during moments of anxiety or meltdowns.
• Support Social Interaction: Serve as a social bridge to help the child connect with others more confidently.
• Encourage Independence: Help build routines and provide a sense of security that empowers the child to engage more fully with their world.
For Porter, having a service dog will mean navigating life with greater confidence, comfort, and stability.
Why Do Autism Service Dogs Cost So Much?
The cost of acquiring and training an autism service dog typically ranges from $20,000 to $60,000. This high cost reflects the extensive time, resources, and expertise required to prepare the dog for its life-changing role. These costs cover:
1. Puppy Selection: Carefully choosing a puppy with the right temperament and potential for service work.
2. Intensive Training: Over 12-18 months of professional training to teach specialized tasks, from tethering to providing emotional support.
3. Family Training and Travel: Ensuring the dog and family work together seamlessly, often requiring travel and ongoing support.
We’re working with Highland Canine Training in North Carolina, a reputable organization that specializes in training autism service dogs.
Our Journey with Highland Canine Training
Currently, we are waiting for our turn to travel to North Carolina with Porter to meet and match with a puppy. This visit is crucial in finding the right dog to form a bond with Porter. Once selected, the puppy will begin its 12-18 months of specialized training to meet Porter’s unique needs.
This process is a lengthy one, but it ensures the service dog will be fully equipped to provide Porter with the support he needs.
How You Can Help
We need to raise $25,000 to cover the costs of the dog, its training, travel expenses, and equipment. Your generosity will help us:
• Cover the costs of the training program with Highland Canine Training.
• Afford travel to North Carolina for the matching process and ongoing integration.
• Provide Porter with a tool for safety, independence, and emotional stability.
Every donation brings us closer to making this dream a reality for Porter. If you’re unable to donate, sharing our story with others can make an incredible difference.
Thank You for Your Support
This journey isn’t just about getting a dog—it’s about giving Porter the chance to navigate the world with confidence and calm. Your kindness and support mean the world to us, and we can’t wait to share updates as we move closer to welcoming this life-changing service dog into Porter’s life.
Help Porter Get a Life-Changing Autism Service Dog Our journey with Porter… Joanna Hall needs your support for Help Porter Get a Life-Changing Service Dog
