Help Token's Mom Overcome Domestic Violence

UPDATE ON TOKEN'S MOM

Token's mom has received a variety of love and support: monetary donations, businesses hosting donation jars or giving gift cards, groomers offering their services for free, people buying dog food and medicine, and many of you who shared our posts to help get word to those who could help... Now a year later, all of your work has paid off! You sustained her long enough for her to get a reliable vehicle and move to be with family who can help her in the long term. Her struggle is not over, but your hard work got her through that initial hardship. She has been overwhelmed with the love and community that came around her shining hope into her life at a time where all hope seemed lost. There is so much light at the end of this tunnel! Please be in prayer for her as she continues this difficult journey.

"We couldn't have done this without you! Ruff!"

- Token

Many thanks to the following businesses that helped:

- Tractor Supply Company, Escanaba

- Mel's Lawn & Garden, Escanaba

- Meijer, Escanaba

- Rosy's Diner, Escanaba

- Salon Three-One, Escanaba

- Studio di Capelli, Escanaba

- Pam's Petals, Escanaba

- Attitudes Salon, Escanaba

- Bobaloon's Cafe, Escanaba

- D&M Subs, Escanaba

- Former D&D Groomer, Gladstone

- Jack's Restaurant, Rapid River

- Smith & Sons Lumber, Rapid River

- And several individuals and anonymous donors

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YSD will be keeping the Domestic Violence Fund open so it's ready to assist the next client in need. Unfortunately, PTSD from domestic violence is the most common thing we train dogs for so it's guaranteed that the fund will eventually be needed again. To donate at any time, you can mail a check or money order to us at the address below. Be sure to designate DV Fund or General Fund somewhere on the check or on a note with the check. If you know Katie (YSD's trainer), you can also give donations to her in person.

Yooper Service Dogs

PO Box 105

Rapid River MI 49878

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ORIGINAL FUNDRAISER:

Her Story

This is Token, a standard poodle, with a noble job. He's a service dog. That means he helps his mom (his dog handler) with her disability. She has greater independence and a greater quality of life because of the various tasks Token is trained to perform. Service dogs may be trained to remind a person with a disability to take medication at a certain time, create and maintain personal space around someone who has crippling social anxiety (PTSD) or who is overstimulated (autism), alert to dropping blood sugar levels (diabetes), alert to the phone ringing (hearing impaired), get help in an emergency, and even call 911! You see, Token's mom was the victim of horrific domestic violence. She is now safe from that, but she struggles every day with the long-term effects of abuse. Having the courage to break free of domestic violence often also means sacrificing access to finances. She is struggling financially. Affording gas to get to medical appointments, counseling, veterinary appointments, and the rest of Token's training is a challenge. It's also important that Token receive proper veterinary care because he recently endured a medical emergency that nearly cost him his life. Thankfully, the problem was identified and a solution found, but he will need regular medication. Not receiving this medication could be life-threatening for Token. There are plans in the works to give Token's mom financial stability, but it will take time. While she's getting on her feet, Yooper Service Dogs (YSD) hopes to raise funds to help her with veterinary bills and gas money.

Getting to know Token's mom has been such a privilege. She displayed such courage knowing she would sacrifice much more than financial stability in breaking free, but she did so anyway. Her refusal to give up after everything life has thrown at her humbles and inspires me. She continues to look to the future she knows she'll have, and YSD aims to make sure she gets that future.

Domestic Violence Fund

PTSD (lasting trauma) due to domestic violence is the most common reason we train service dogs. As a result, Yooper Service Dogs is starting a Domestic Violence Fund (DV Fund) to assist other clients in similar situations. All donations to this fundraiser will go into this fund to help Token's mom, and anything leftover will be used to assist those after her who break free from domestic violence and say, "No, I will have a future." Whether you have $5 or $100, any amount is helpful. Alternatively, you can also donate to this fund by mailing a check or money order to the address below. Make checks payable to "Yooper Service Dogs" and be sure to specify "DV Fund" somewhere on the check. If you know Katie, you can also hand her cash or check in person and be sure she knows it's for the DV Fund.

Yooper Service Dogs

PO Box 105

Rapid River MI 49878

Thank you for your time,

Katie Johnson

President, Yooper Service Dogs

Facebook.com/YSDRapid

Assisting God's Country with man's best friend