Indie and Arlo

"Without Arlo, I don't know where we'd be."

9-year-old Indie was diagnosed with autism and sensory processing disorder when she was just 5 years old. One year later, she was also diagnosed with ADHD.

Life was a daily struggle for Indie and her family. For Indie's mum JoJo, it was incredibly difficult seeing her daughter navigate everyday life and not want to leave the house. But in 2024, their world became brighter when Indie was matched with Assistance Dog Arlo.

"Having Arlo has just been such a huge, life-changing experience. It's like having your best friend with you wherever you go".

Six months on, Indie is now comfortable leaving the house and she has begun participating in the wider community in ways she couldn't previously. She recently performed in her school production, which was a huge milestone for her. There's hope for her future, which fills mum JoJo with so much "pride, love, and excitement".

To read Indie's story from when she was on our waitlist, please visit: https://www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/post/indie

To help more New Zealanders like Indie, please consider making a donation today. Thank you 💙