By Alesha Capone
Eleven-year-old Levi has started washing bins and cars to raise money to purchase a service dog to help with his autism.
The young Wyndham resident, who also wears glasses to help correct blindness in one of his eyes, enthusiastically embarked on his fundraising campaign about two to three months ago.
Although Levi has a high sensitivity to smells, sounds lights and crowds due to his autism, his determination to raise funds for a service dog is so strong that he pushes past these challenges while washing bins and cars.
Levi has already created a spot below his bed for the dog to sleep, worked out a budget for his future canine companion and joined the Paw Pals program through school to learn about animal care.
“I want a dog so it can be my best friend,” Levi said.
So far, he has raised $800 of the $29,000 needed to purchase a service dog.
Levi’s mother Danni said she has been trying to get her son on waiting lists for a service dog through various organisations since he was four.
Danni said that Levi was always on the move when he was growing up and the idea of getting him a service dog came about while visiting friends whose dogs had puppies.
“He walked up to touch them and that was the first time I’d ever seen him be still,” Danni said.
Levi and his sister Jori-ana, 12, have made friends with their neighbour’s dog, a German Shepherd-Border Collie cross named Osito.
“I can send Levi next door for 15 minutes to play with Osito, he comes home completely re-set, a different kid,” Danni said.
She said having a service dog would help to keep Levi calm when going shopping, to events and meeting new people, which he can find difficult.
Levi, Jori-ana and Danni also want to educate people about autism and ADHD.
“With the support of the community now, letting us wash their bins and tell his story, it’s helping us,” Danni said.
After hearing Levi’s story, the Lowes store at Pacific Werribee donated $150 worth of work gear for Levi wear while he washes bins and cars.
Levi charges $5 to wash a bin and $10 to wash a car.
Details: tinyurl.com/ServiceDog4Levi
