GAVIN
Hi, my name is Gavin. I am 17 years old and I am a senior in high school. I enjoy playing video games, listening to Taylor Swift and visiting Disney as much as I can.
I am diagnosed with Autism, Juvenile Arthritis, and anxiety disorder. Because of this, it makes it hard for me to be as independent and social as I’d want to be. My dad is in the military and because of that I’ve had to move and start over more times than I can count. That makes it hard for me to make friends, be social, and be as independent as I want to be.
Right now, my parents and brother help me navigate social situations. Due to autism, I have a very hard time communicating my needs to others. This can cause me to become anxious and have panic attacks. When I have a panic attack in public, I receive negative attention from people around me. That makes the situation even worse for me.
I also have juvenile arthritis. Arthritis makes it hard for me to be active. I’m in a lot of pain every day and struggle with my stability. A service dog would help me to slow down, take breaks, and provide stability when walking.
Having a service dog would be life changing for me. A dog would give me freedom and independence to be on my own. I want to go to college, get a job, and be able to travel to see friends. A service dog would help me have confidence and calmness to be able to be in public, be independent, and most of all, to be safe. Thank you.