A mother’s love is an unstoppable force—unwavering, determined, and willing to move mountains. For Georgina Hing, this love fuels her daily mission to support her nine-year-old son, Jacob, as he navigates the challenges of living with autism.
Jacob is a bright and passionate child who loves animals and is deeply focused on teaching himself Japanese using the Duolingo app. Diagnosed with autism at three, Jacob was later reassessed and confirmed to have a profile consistent with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). He struggles with anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and meltdowns, making traditional schooling overwhelming.
Determined to provide a supportive learning environment, Georgina homeschools Jacob though much of the week is spent out of the house attending therapy, speech sessions, and participating in two social groups. Once a week, Jacob also attends All About Autism which is an autism specific program that adopts a neuro-affirming approach, supporting participants to develop skills that align with their values.
Despite these efforts, social interactions remain a challenge. Jacob’s black-and-white thinking can lead to conflicts, and public outings often become overwhelming. While noise-canceling headphones offer some relief, Jacob still experiences distress when routines are disrupted or when he is faced with unfamiliar social situations.
Meltdowns can escalate quickly and sometimes lead to attempts to run away, making safety a constant concern. Despite engaging in multiple therapies, something essential is still missing—a companion to provide comfort and emotional security.
That missing piece is a Smart Pup.
A Smart Pup could provide deep pressure therapy, interrupt escalating behaviours, and even track Jacob if he runs. Most importantly, it would offer unconditional companionship, easing his loneliness and helping to manage his anxiety.
For children with PDA, prevention is often more effective than intervention. Once the fight-or-flight response is triggered, reasoning becomes impossible—you simply have to ride it out. A Smart Pup could play a vital role in these moments. Dogs are incredibly attuned to human emotion and can help children to return to a more regulated state.
Georgina is currently fundraising $30,000 to secure a Smart Pup for Jacob, but she can‘t do it alone. With just over $6,000 raised, Georgina, Will, and their family are appealing to the Caloundra community to help reach their goal. Donations and support are crucial to bringing Jacob closer to the life-changing companion he needs.
To donate: smartpups.org.au/campaigns/smart-pup-for-jacob-202411.
Facebook.com/smartpupforjacob
