How assistance dogs change lives
When we first discovered the ability of Assistance Dogs to powerfully change the lives of children with autism, we were exposed to countless true, life stories that took any ounce of doubt or scepticism away.
The reality is, these beautiful creatures really can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life.
With this knowledge, Compass has made it part of our mission to remove as many barriers as possible for the families in need of an Assistance Dog – including a big one, cost!
Read the powerful stories below from some our Assistance Dog recipients and their families to hear how their lives have been changed by one of these beautiful creatures. In the end ‘seeing is believing’, so we hope you get an opportunity to also witness the magic of an Assistance Dog and the extraordinary power they have to change lives forever.
Real Stories From Real Families
MEET JACOB AND DIESEL
There was a boy called Jacob, who was kind, funny, joyful and quiet.
Jacob loved and felt safe around animals. He would spend many hours in his room playing with his toy animals and keeping to himself because he found living in the world overwhelming.
Jacob’s family and community did everything they could to help him live his best life. As hard as Jacob tried, he was still unable to do the things that other people could do. Even though everyone told him he was special and amazing, he felt sad and lonely.
Then one day, a man from Compass called Jacob’s mum and said he would like to introduce Jacob’s family to Diesel… it was Love at first sight.
Jacob forgot about the world feeling overwhelming when Diesel joined his family and started doing things he’d never done before, like going grocery shopping, sitting at a café, going to the cinema and to the beach.
Jacob and his family are also sleeping now that Jacob’s night terrors have stopped with Diesel by his side. He can have a full day at school because he has Diesel to come home to. And he feels comfortable talking to people about Diesel when he would usually be quiet.
Jacob now has a chance of living his best life now that he is able to engage with the world. Compass has given us an amazing gift and restored our hope. We are grateful from the very bottom of our hearts to everyone who has helped bring Diesel into our lives.
*Story provided by Jacob’s family
“Diesel is my power for life.” – Jacob
Listen to this beautiful interview with Jacob and his mum Juanita on MIX FM with CAD Ambassadors, Todd and Sami
MEET SIENNA AND MAC*
We are so blessed to have Mac in our lives. He made a difference on the very first day we had him…
Our daughter Sienna became overwhelmed from school pickup. Thing escalated, resulting in Sienna having a meltdown in our van, which was both physical and emotional.
Beautiful Mac picked up on this straight away. He sat with Sienna and rested his head in her lap, and to our amazement, Sienna calmed down instantly, hugging him back and then laying with him on the floor of our van.
As meltdowns are very physically draining, Sienna was able to find calmness with Mac. He just layed with her. That was the fastest calm down we have ever had.
We are truly grateful to the Compass Team and especially the Sponsors who help make these angel dogs possible…
They truly make a difference in people’s lives, in our lives.
Thank you.
*Story provided by Sienna’s family
MEET SPENCER AND WATSON*
Maroochy RSL (who kindly sponsored Watson), Phil, Watson and Compass have changed our life.
They have given us a second chance and Spencer a life worth living, and I will never ever be able to express how much this means to me. I will forever be in debt to these incredible people. Watson has become a life long companion or brother as Spencer calls him.
Spencer is able to attend school daily now where as before he was on limited attendance. Watson goes everywhere Spencer goes.
Spencer never slept through the night until we received Watson and had regular meltdowns, we are now having minimal meltdowns. We are just so grateful.
*Story provided by Spencer’s mother