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The $20,000 dog: Louise Stephenson and her son Tom with Assistance Dog Libby. Raising the money for this dog was a community effort.
A massive fundraising effort has enabled Tom Stephenson of Red Beach, a five-year-old with autism, to begin a journey towards independence.
Things changed for Tom on February 4 when his Assistance Dog – a two-year-old black Labrador called Libby – joined the family.
His mother Louise, who is learning to be the dog’s handler, says that in less than a week she saw changes in her youngest son. The first step was for the three of them to begin walking to school together. Tom attends KingsWay School, which is close to the Stephenson’s home, but until now he has been taken by car every day. Now he walks attached to the dog, with his mum in charge of Libby, and is learning about crossing roads. Because Tom feels calmer around the dog, he is more able to cope with the stimulation caused by the noisy goings on outside.
“For the first time I’ve been able to step back, take a breath and let him go a little without expecting the worst,” Louise says. “I felt a load of worry lift off my shoulders.”
In addition, Tom has begun speaking more, frequently repeating Libby’s name, and to reach out and touch the dog.
The dogs, which are highly trained by Assistance Dogs NZ, increase safety and lessen the bolting behaviours common in children with autism, act as an anchor when harnessed to the child, as well as improving social and behavioural skills.
Libby has been trained since she was a puppy – a process that costs around $48,000 – families are asked to contribute $20,000 towards this cost.
Last year the family set up a Give a Little account to raise the funds, and two stories in Hibiscus Matters followed, raising awareness. The family held a barbecue outside The Warehouse and Dedre Bloem organised a Ladies’ Evening Out at KingsWay School last September that raised around $2500.
Mike Hosking and ASB Good as Gold contributed the final $1500 to reach the $20,000 total.
Louise says the family was overwhelmed with the support and wants to thank everyone who contributed. “There were so many donations, large and small, and we’re grateful for every single one of them,” she says. “It would have taken our family years to save up that kind of money.”
Assistance Dog instructor Susan Clark is working with the family. She says in England and Australia, where she’s also trained assistance dogs, the dogs are Government funded. “It’s amazing to see the community help in this way and come up with so much money for the family,” Susan says. She says in Australia there are now more dogs to help autistic children than there are Guide Dogs for the blind.
Louise says that while they were fundraising, they also saw an increase in people’s awareness of Assistance Dogs, and of children with autism.
“People are kinder to Tom now, and don’t just think he’s being naughty,” she says.
Over the year, the family will work together with Susan’s support on a series of goals to achieve. “Tom’s confidence is already growing and he will learn so many of the skills he will need to become more independent.”
