THE purchase of a $20,000 Autism Assistance Dog will make the lives of an Albion Park family safer and more manageable.
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The Masonic Lodge Kiama have therefore pledged to help the family raise the remaining funds.
Albion Park resident Chev Hitchens, 6, has autism spectrum disorder, ADD, Duane Syndrome and a learning disability.
The family have been raising funds for an Autism Assistance Dog aka Smart Pup.
His parents David and Melissa said this would provide much-needed relief for the family.
“Chev absconders a lot, so we can be out there and he’ll just take off running for no particular reason,” Mr Hitchens said.
“So he tethers to Chev… And is also trained to track him.
“It also helps in calming him; the retrievers and Labradors that Smart Pups use are naturally calming dogs anyway.
“They’re trained to drop on him if he’s having a meltdown to help calm him.
“If Chev’s picking sores or scratching himself, which is one of the traits of autism, the dogs are trained to nose him to try and stop him doing that.”
Mr Hitchens said the dog would also be a vital companion for his son, who attends the special needs class at Tullimbar Public School.
“Chev’s got younger siblings, however he doesn’t fully connect with them because by his nature he gets upset a lot.”
The family submitted an application to Smart Pups, which was accepted.
They’ve since started fund-raising via means such as selling chocolates, raffles and donations, collecting about $12,500 of the $20,000 required.
Through various connections, the Masonic Lodge Kiama recently became aware of their cause and pledged to help the Hitchens raise the remaining funds.
“We met with them, and they indicated that they would be able to help us in some way, which is great,” Mr Hitchens said.
Mrs Hitchens said the assistance dog would place less stress on the family.
“We’ve always got to leave places and events because he can’t handle being around the crowds and the people,” she said.
“So his brothers miss out on a lot because they have to leave also.
“It’s always a two-person care… You’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head with Chev.
“We’re hoping the dog can be that second person when we need it.”
Her husband said Chev was an animal lover, and excited at the prospect of having a dog.
“They (animals) don’t judge, and kids can be very nasty,” Mr Hitchens said.
The Masonic Lodge Kiama have already hosted a barbecue at the Masters store at Albion Park Rail, raising about $900 for the cause.
Masonic Lodge Kiama's worshipful master Peter Stemp said they would now assume the sale of the chocolates.
They also have additional barbecues and raffles planned.
Dapto resident Mr Stemp said they wanted to alleviate some of the family’s stress by assisting them as part of the organisation’s charitable endeavours.
Masonicare is the official charity arm of NSW and ACT Freemasons.
Mr Stemp said Masonicare will match any money the Kiama Lodge raises between the amount of $1000 and $5000, dollar-for-dollar.
The Hitchens wished to thank the Kiama Masons and all others in the community who had assisted thus far.
If you wish to donate. phone 0409 668 231.
