Jake and Cooper Woolley with their new autism-assistance dog Albert. 25207
By Kelly Yates
A NARRE Warren family have been granted its Christmas wishes after an anonymous family donated $23,000 towards the purchase of an autism-assistance dog.
Rachael Woolley, who has spent the past few months desperately fund-raising to buy the dog for her twin autistic sons Jake and Cooper, said her family was eternally grateful for the donation.
“Words can’t express our gratitude,” she said.
Righteous Pups Australia managing director Joanne Baker said she received the anonymous call from a Narre Warren family last week. “I cried straight away and then when I told Rachael she cried too,” Ms Baker said.
“The donation blew us away. It’s a truly beautiful thing that shows the strength of a community.”
The Woolley family received Albert, a pure white trained, working Labrador worth $29,000, last week.
Ms Woolley said her four-year-old boys had bonded with Albert.
“A weight has been lifted off our shoulders. It’s a life saver,” she said. The autism-assistance dogs, from Righteous Pups Australia, are trained in search and rescue.
The not-for-profit organisation’s mission is to raise, socialise and train the dogs to do a variety of practical tasks for children with autism and their families.
Ms Woolley described to the News that day-to-day life with Jake and Cooper was very difficult and emotionally draining, as they needed constant supervision.
“With the help of the dog, the twins have found a companion, a best friend and a helper for the family,” she said.
