Elise and Pepper
“Elise is simply a different child with Pepper. She is engaging more with life” - Elise's mum, Jane
This year, thanks to people like you, 14 year-old Elise received her Assistance Dog, Pepper. After years of isolation, Pepper has helped give her the confidence to step back into the world.
Elise is polite, smart and friendly. But by the time she was 12, everyday life had become incredibly challenging.
Elise has autism with PDA (pathological demand avoidance), ADHD, severe anxiety and panic attacks.For many years she persevered with school, but by Year 8, her invisible disability had become so overwhelming that she was completely unable to attend.
As her mum Jane describes it, "Elise had become completely disengaged from the world."
Jane says, "This was Elise when she was at her worst. It makes me cry to look at this photo. Our old pet dog, Toby, stayed with her on the couch for months. She spent her life lying on this chair, the couch, or in bed. No screens, no interaction, nothing. Just under a blanket.
Elise needed constant support from her parents and support workers. Her condition had become extremely limiting—for the whole family.
Jane reached out to Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust, and Elise joined the waitlist. And then came the wait, and the hope of what an Assistance Dog might make possible.
Then, in February this year, thanks to generous supporters like you, the family received the call they'd been waiting for.
An Assistance Dog was ready for Elise. Her name was Pepper.
Within weeks, things began to change.
Pepper arrived trained in specific tasks to support Elise. She can provide deep pressure during panic attacks, interrupt behaviours such as skin picking and nail biting, and place her head on Elise's lap to provide comfort and grounding. Pepper is also trained to recognise when Elise has become stuck and bark to alert Jane that her daughter needs help.
But the difference Pepper has made goes far beyond her trained tasks. Elise has now gone several months without a panic attack.
She's started going places independently, seeing friends and engaging more with life, all with Pepper by her side.
Things that felt impossible for years have become manageable. Not because Elise's disability has gone away, but because she now has Pepper beside her.
Since Pepper arrived, Elise hasn't needed to sleep in her mum's bed. Pepper sleeps with Elise, under the covers, with her head on the pillow like a princess. After years of needing nighttime support, Elise is now sleeping independently.
Then came a 21st birthday party...
Jane expected Elise to call early, overwhelmed, asking to come home. But Elise didn't call. When Jane picked her up at the end of the night, Elise told her that when she got overwhelmed, she sat in the corner with Pepper laying across her lap, and rejoined the party once she was calm again. Jane also learned that Elise and Pepper had even been dancing.
More recently, Elise had an appointment for a blood test—something that's always been difficult. She arrived with her support worker and Pepper.
When it was time to go in, Elise asked her support worker to wait in the reception area. For the first time, she didn't need an adult beside her. She had Pepper. Her mum describes the change: "Elise is simply a different child with Pepper. She is engaging more with life."
Elise and Pepper's story was made possible by people who chose to help. Today, 15 children are waiting for an Assistance Dog of their own.
To support more young New Zealanders like Elise, please consider making a donation today. Thank you 💙
