Munno Para family’s cry for help as autism assistance dog struck down
Phoenix lives with severe disabilities but thanks to his dog Jimmy, he was able to navigate the world. Now a sudden mystery illness has brought everything to a halt.
North & North East
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A single mum and her disabled son are hoping for a miracle - and their community’s support -as the little lad’s assistance dog struggles to survive a mystery illness.
Munno Para West’s Phoenix Ringrose’s life was shattered when his autism assistance dog Jimmy fell sick on Saturday and with mounting vet bills life is getting much harder for the boy and his mum.
Phoenix has a complex diagnose of level-three autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder and severe anxiety.
The highly trained $25,000 black Labrador has been Phoenix’s companion for seven years after a fundraising campaign brought the pooch into the now 12-year-old’s life.
On Saturday, the doggo starting whimpering, stopped eating and became lame in his back legs.
He was rushed to the vets, but they are stumped Phoenix's mum Shell Ringrose told The Messenger.
“Jimmy’s not able to work with Phoenix at all,” Ns Ringrose said.
“He’s currently highly medicated on pain relief including Ketamine so all he’s doing is sleeping.
“He’s struggling with walking and even going to the bathroom as his back legs give way.
“He’s not going great and they still don‘t know exactly what’s going on.”
Ms Ringrose said Jimmy had changed her family’s life.
“He’s given Phoenix the ability to leave the house safely, helped him self regulate during meltdowns and build relationships,” she said.
“Phoenix has been a runner and has no sense of danger so he attaches to Jimmy’s working jacket via a tether.
“If Phoenix tries to run, Jimmy lays down and anchors, slowing Phoenix down.”
With Jimmy’s future hanging in the air, the family is facing a $1300 vet bill and that figure is bound to climb.
Ms Ringrose said she was scared the cost could be huge if the pet needed surgery and as a single mum with disabilities, she was not sure how she would cover the costs.
She said she would put herself in debt before having Jimmy euthanised, but conceded there was a chance the doggo might die.
Ms Ringrose has asked the community to help by contributing to the fundraiser by clicking this link.
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