A BRIDGWATER family are hoping to have a puppy trained as an assistance dog for their autistic daughter as she is set to leave school this summer.

Nick and Joanne Draper’s teenage daughter Mollie is currently studying toward her A-Levels at a special school in Mark.

However while Nick and Joanne are hoping she can stay in school for one more year as she is thriving in the environment, they believe an assistance dog could be a big benefit to help Mollie thrive outside the school environment.

Mollie’s father Nick explains: “Mollie has had some difficulties from a very early age. She struggled through primary school but had no diagnosis at that stage.

“It was a secondary school were Mollie really struggled and we decided to home school her for two years, it was a really difficult period.”

Mollie was eventually diagnosed with autism at the age of 15 and was given a place at Mark College where she has been given one-to-one support and has a special educational needs plan.

“Mollie has thrived in that environment, it is small with less than 100 pupils and they are able to support with therapy for her anxiety as well,” Mr Draper said.

Mr Draper said he believes an assistance dog could be exactly the sort of thing Mollie needs to overcome barriers to being independent, whether that is in further education, work or just helping with day to day life.

But such dogs are in high demand, and so now the family is fundraising to buy and puppy and pay for the training themselves.

Purchasing the correct type of puppy and the two years of Darwin Dogs training required costs between £9,000 and £10,000.

Mr Draper added: “We really think an assistance dog could hugely benefit Mollie and enhance her life.”

“We have been fundraising by running a raffle and have just set up a Justgiving page: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicholas-draper.

“If anyone is able to donate we would be hugely appreciative.”