We are hoping to raise money for an Autism Assistance Dog for our 9-year-old daughter, Phoebe.

Phoebe was diagnosed with Autism and a moderate learning disability when she was 7.

Phoebe is a loving and funny young girl who loves building Lego, dancing, and big rides!

However, Phoebe also struggles daily with emotional and sensory regulation, as well as high levels of anxiety. She requires constant reassurance and emotional support due to her sensory struggles.

Life can be hard for Phoebe. She often tells me, "Life is good, but it's also bad for me."

Phoebe loves animals and craves the support from one. We have a cat, whom she searches for when she's struggling, but the cat runs off and doesn't give her the emotional support she is hoping for.

Having an assistance dog would not only provide her with the emotional support she craves from an animal but also:

Distract her from her anxieties and worries, offering her something else to focus on and care for.

Help build Phoebe's self-esteem and independence. As she enters her teenage years, the dog will aid her in going places and help her feel safe and secure.

Ease the pressure on us as her parents, allowing us to dedicate more time to Phoebe's 5-year-old brother.

An assistance dog can go anywhere with us: shops, restaurants, soft play centers, theme parks—all while supporting Phoebe when she needs it, especially during busy and stressful situations.

This beautiful dog will be trained from 8 weeks of age to meet Phoebe's needs perfectly and will come live with us when he is 1 year old.

We hope you can help us achieve Phoebe's dream of getting an Autism Assistance Dog with the help of The Tree of Hope & Supporting Paws CIC.

We would like to thank you for taking the time to read our story and would be extremely grateful for any support you can give us, whether that be through donating, fundraising on Phoebe's behalf, or sharing our story.

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, the funds will be used, if appropriate, to support our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives. If, in those circumstances, we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.