Waikanae boy's new best friend

Eli Burkhalter and his assistance dog Taffy.

The family of a Waikanae boy, born with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is trying to fundraise $20,000 for the ongoing training and support of his new assistance dog Taffy.

Eli Burkhalter, a fun-loving six-year-old who goes to Kapanui School, can't talk, walk or sit and needs an electric wheelchair to get about.

He requires a lot of care by his mother Simone Burkhalter, who lost her husband James Burkhalter in a motorcycle crash on Paekakariki Hill Rd when Eli was aged one.

Eli has a very helpful older brother Sean, 8, as well a great circle of friends but building networks and friendships can be challenging as Eli can't talk and his mobility is limited.

Last month Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust gave Eli an assistance dog called Taffy and the pair have struck up an instant friendship.

Taffy, a two-year-old golden labrador, will not only change Eli's life by being a constant companion but will help take some of the pressure off Simone and Sean as the dog can do chores like pick up Eli's toys, call for help, walk alongside his wheelchair, wait with him, and even retrieve the television remote control.

"It's really nice to know that there's always someone next to Eli," Simone said.

"Even though he's got an older brother, he only plays for so long with him, because he can't really interact like every other child.

"Quite often when we have friends over, or at school to, the kids play with Eli but will often drift off and do their own thing.

"But with the dog you can tell him to stay there and it will.

"It's also nice to see Eli happy and smiling a bit more.

"It has already made a change and it's only the beginning."

Taffy, a gentle and patient dog, is getting used to his new surrounds, establishing the ground rules with the family's 10-year-old Jack Russell called Molly, and the primary task of looking out for Eli.

The family have set up a Givealittle page www.givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/eliandtaffy and are hosting a fundraising walk along the Waikanae River, north of Wellington, on Sunday, from 2-4pm, starting at the Greenaway Rd carpark, which the public is invited to.