Help our nephew get a service dog

**Any funds raised over the original goal will be applied by Hope Service Dogs directly to continued training that Jack and his service dog will need in the first year. Thank you!

Message from Jack (9/22/23)

Our nephew Jack DeWolf lives in Athens, GA. He is working with Hope Service Dogs to raise money to acquire a service dog for himself. The dollars he raises will enable him to secure a puppy that he will raise and train through Hope Service Dogs.

Jack is 17 years old and is going into his senior year at Cedar Shoals High School. He is an incredible young man. Jack is active in the theater program at his school and in his community. He plans to go to college at Athens Tech after graduation and later transfer to Columbus State University where he will study to become a teacher.

After being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that has progressed over the past few years, Jack has realized there were many things he took for granted in his day-to-day life. Being able to hold things in his hands easily, walk to classes without help during school, and be on his own for extended periods of time are all things that aren’t so easy for him anymore. We have watched it get harder and harder for him over the last few years.

In Jack's words: "As I grow older, I am watching my friends gain more independence and go out into the world. A service dog will help me to do the same, to live independently, contribute to my community, and reach my goals."

Jack chose Hope Services Dogs because they specialize in raising service dogs for people with disabilities like his and because they are ethical, responsible breeders who love and care for their dogs. 100% of the funds donated will go directly to Hope Service Dogs for the cost of bringing home a matched 12 week old puppy. Hope Service Dogs will raise, care for (including veterinary care), and train the puppy while he or she is with them and then Jack will continue to follow their intensive training program at home with their support from that point forward.

It takes years to fully train a service dog and Hope Service Dogs matches specific puppies with owners based on the tasks needed, not simply who is next on the waitlist. So the process can take a while!

Getting started soon will allow Jack to live on his own (with his service dog) by the time he is a junior and transfers to Columbus State.

Jack is currently on the waitlist and we are hopeful that a puppy will be available by late 2023 or in early-2024. The hope is to raise all of the necessary dollars by the end of November 2023. He is also working a part-time job to save as much money as he can to ensure he will have the financial ability to support the dog throughout its life, including ongoing veterinary care, continued training, and all of the necessary day-to-day things dogs need.

**Because Hope Service Dogs is a 501(c)(3) and this campaign is set up as a Go Fund Me Charity Fundraiser, all contributions from individuals and businesses are tax deductible.**

We are so proud of Jack for taking this step toward independence and hope you'll join us in supporting Jack and Hope Service Dogs.

Sincerely,

Uncle David Goldenberg and Aunt Elana Goldenberg