A Replacement Service Dog for Nigel

As many of you know, we lost Nigel’s beloved service dog Fred at the end of October.

It’s taken a few months of shock and grieving to be ready to start again and work towards Nigel’s next dog.

We had such an amazing experience with 4 Paws for Ability out of Ohio that we have decided to go that route again.

The dogs that come out of 4 Paws are beyond trained and specifically trained for each child and their needs.

This dog will perform tasks such as helping with mobility, retrieval, opening doors while in a wheelchair and behavioral disruption. Plus, when you have a kid like Nigel, that is hospitalized so frequently and also, home bound so much for various reasons, a best friend to be with you during all of the medical visits and daily medical treatments is invaluable.

For me as Nigel’s full time caregiver, the biggest daily helps are definitely behavior disruption and the dog being a bargaining tool.

When Nigel has daily emotional issues, say a meltdown or self injurious behaviors, it was so incredibly helpful to say a one word command and have Fred run over and be an extra set of “hands” to help stop a behavior or assist Nigel in calming down until I can get there. Positively invaluable.

The other thing is just daily behavioral issues while getting daily tasks done - I relied heavily on Fred for help with this. Things like getting into bed or having a breathing treatment - being able to have Fred assist like “Fred will sit with you for your treatment”. Invaluable.

I worked and waited for four years for Fred and unfortunately, a change in his behavior cropped up and he was gone within a 24 hour period from cancer at just shy of 8 years old. Devastating.

I’m picking myself up by the bootstraps and asking for some help. The fundraising contribution for his replacement service dog is less than Fred, but still a lot at $13k. We will receive specifically a non shedding breed this time around since Nigel now has a tracheostomy and a ventilator, which he didn’t have the first time around.

I’ve added on 5k in addition to 4 Paws contribution to assist in covering the trip to Ohio and two week training. 8 hours a day for me and a few hours for Nigel at the facility - it’s a lot. Of course I can’t do that alone, as Nigel needs round the clock care.

I’ll need two helpers - one that can handle Nigel’s medical needs while I’m unavailable and another back up and driver etc. Taking Nigel anywhere since the trach and ventilator became a part of our lives is a huge undertaking and one I can’t handle alone.

Believe me, I am shocked to be here again so soon after Fred’s campaign. I thank you all in advance for helping us out.

Nigel has needs that are both chronic and continuing to increase in severity. He’s endured so many surgeries already and always has something coming down the pipe. Let’s help him have another best friend to bring home and help him through his everyday, join him at the hospital and help his mother stay sane.

Nigel asks almost daily why Fred had to go. He even asks if his new dog will have to go so soon. He understands enough to know it’s not fair. He understands that he misses his best friend so much and he can’t wait for his next helper.

Nigel isn’t able to attend school. He’s not able to see many people during winter because of his poor immune system. Almost every cold equals pneumonia and hospital stays. He has a port which is accessed for blood work and infusions monthly and he misses having his furry partner to be with him for these things. He endures anywhere from 1.5 hours to 4 hours a day of breathing treatments and is hooked to the ventilator 15 hours a day when well and 24 hours a day when sick. It’s a huge thing to have a partner with you for all of that.

Team Nigel needs you all!

I’ve added pictures of Nigel with Fred so you can see what a difference he made for him and a glimpse into what the new dog will continue to provide him with.

Thank you everyone!