Hope & Freedom on Four Paws - An Assistance Dog for Daisy

We are fundraising for a highly trained Autism Assistance Dog for our 16-year-old daughter. Daisy is autistic and also lives with ADHD, PTSD, anxiety, panic disorder, OCD, and learning disabilities (severe dyslexia & dyscalculia). These disabilities and mental health conditions have become so debilitating that Daisy can no longer attend school or college, leave the house alone, be independent or have any friends.

Most teenagers can go to the shops alone, enjoy activities and have friendships. One of Daisy’s biggest goals right now is a safe two-minute walk just outside the house — or even being able to simply open the door and stand outside on her own.

But there is hope, and that hope has four paws.

Dogs have always helped Daisy feel calm and understood in a way people can’t. With a highly trained Assistance Dog, Daisy could find her independence, reconnect with the world and work towards the future she wants — working with dogs.

An Assistance Dog is not just a pet. It’s a highly trained partner and gateway to independent living. Just like a Guide Dog supports someone with visual impairment, an Autism Assistance Dog supports someone with overwhelming anxiety and autistic challenges in everyday life.

Daisy’s Story

Daisy is bright, creative and full of warmth, with so much to offer to the world. She used to love playing football, going to watch football matches, going to the gym and cinema, plus playing with friends and cousins.

However, over the last five years, a severe mental-health crisis and extreme anxiety, coupled with her autism, have dramatically shrunk her life. Now even the simplest things feel impossible — things other teenagers take for granted — like attending school or college, getting on a bus, going into shops or cafés, visiting family, having friendships, and even just leaving home safely.

Daisy wants what other young people have:

• to go out independently

• to have peer relationships

• to gain confidence

• and to build towards her passion of working with dogs and ambitions to become part of the working world

How an Autism Assistance Dog Will Help Daisy

The Assistance Dog will be trained to:

• Provide Deep Pressure Therapy to interrupt panic

• Interrupt harmful/anxious behaviours safely

• Retrieve important or dropped items when Daisy freezes

• Give medication reminders

• Support Daisy in public access such as shops, buses, trains, hospitals, cinemas & busy places

• Encourage calm routines, communication and real-world independence

This means Daisy can:

• Leave home more regularly, not just on rare “good days”

• Access public transport & public places more safely

• Work towards friendships, education and employment

• Build real independence, one step at a time

• Achieve that life-changing first solo walk

Why Autism Dogs Charity?

We are working with Autism Dogs Charity, the UK’s largest and most reputable charity specialising in Autism Assistance Dogs. Autism Dogs Charity are National Autistic Society, ADUK and ADI accredited, meaning their dogs are trained to the highest possible standard.

Our Fundraising Target

We need to raise £14,990 to provide Daisy with an Assistance Dog. The full cost of the programme exceeds this and Autism Dogs Charity subsidises the rest.

How You Can Help

1️⃣ Donate — big or small

2️⃣ Share — spreading the page changes everything

3️⃣ Fundraise — a sponsored walk, bake sale, or birthday donations

“If you can’t give, please share. If you can’t share, please cheer.”

Thank you!

"Hope has four paws. Thank you so much for helping us find it.”

Transparency — Tree of Hope

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, they will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for 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, any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.