AJ, Angie & Mikhael Service dog

As our friends and family know well, our family includes 3 amazing kids with so many abilities as well as their own unique challenges. All 3 have lifelong chronic medical issues. Angie at times has mobility challenges when her prosthetic leg is painful or being serviced. AJ and Mikhael between them also have significant neurobehavioral challenges (e.g. ADHD, PTSD, impulsivity, fetal alcohol spectrum). AJ has a long history of complex trauma, while Angie and Mikhael have experienced more potentially traumatic medical stressors in their short lives than most of us experience in this lifetime.

This last summer we met three other families with service dogs on two different occasions, accidentally discovering the amazing response of all three kids to to specific dogs trained for PTSD, anxiety, behavioral interuption/support, and mobility. AJ in particular was amazingly able to manage his impulses and behaviors to a degree I've never seen with one of the dogs at his side for extended periods. Mikhael responded with calm and smiles to deep pressure strategies that we already use but with restrictive vests, and had zero elopement episodes while nearby the dogs. Angie was beyond herself happy to learn the dogs could retrieve crutches and basic needs items when she was without her leg and then recently brought up to a medical provider she'd feel much calmer with a difficult procedure if she could have a service dog with her. The calming and prosocial impact was truly something I did not anticipate with my specific kids. After discussions with all 3 kids providers and formal recommendations, we've been approved for a service dog from the leading pediatric non profit 4 Paws for Ability. https://www.4pawsforability.org/ We anticipate the dog will be with AJ during school hours, and support all 3 kids at home with training in skills relevant to each child's specific needs.

To move further, we need to fundraise a total of 20,000 of the cost (which is only a part of the actual cost to breed, train and support the dogs). I've committed to working extra to personally fund 5,000 and all the dog upkeep costs once placed as a family contribution that will stretch our own resources. The kids have been eager to try some small fundraisers to be part also. We're anticipating a need to raise approximately 15,000. Please consider helping out, it will make a huge impact in these three kids lives.