Help Josée bring her support dog Remi home

I’m reaching out to you today to help someone who truly embodies selflessness, kindness, and compassion. Josee is one of the most deserving people I know, always putting others before herself. Whether she’s caring for patients as a nurse, rescuing animals in need, or generously donating her time and resources, she is a constant source of light in the lives of everyone around her.

Despite her own struggles, Josee never lets on to the pain she’s quietly enduring. She carries the weight of her burdens with a smile, always ready to help others without hesitation. But even the brightest lights need support, and right now, she is facing a personal challenge that we can help with.

Josee was diagnosed with Hypermobility/Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in May of 2022. HSD or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders are connective tissue disorders that cause joint hypermobility, instability, injury and pain. They can include additional generalized symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and GI issues. Those living with this connective tissue syndrome, often have associated syndromes (Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, MCAS, POTS etc).

Imagine subluxating (partial dislocations) your joints from a simple task like: picking up a laundry basket, opening drawers or putting out the garbage. Imagine experiencing a subluxated fibula (calf bone) after someone makes you side step at the grocery store. Imagine if your simple daily tasks, such as making a meal, became extremely challenging. These are the small, but cumulative struggles, that Josée St-Onge faces daily. The world around her never quite feels safe.

Why Remi? Remi is a 2 year old medium sized lab. She has spent the last 2 years being raised, socialized and trained to be a service dog. When on task, she is hyper focused and proud. When at rest, she is said to be on the goofy side!

The main goal for having a service dog would be to help Josée mobilize safely through crowds, assist with chores and help manage her drops in blood pressure. Having this type of support would help her maintain more independence and have more energy to continue her rehab journey.

Examples of tasks Remi will do for Josée

● Drag the laundry basket or grocery bags

● Picking up/retrieve objects such as water bottle, keys or phone

● Navigate safely through crowds

● Pushing buttons to open doors

● Provide balance and better proprioception by leaning against her

● Provide safety during a medical crisis and applying deep acupressure when needed

Although her symptoms of this genetic condition appeared in childhood, she was only diagnosed at age 48, after suffering enough injuries to impact her life in a significant way. A passerby would never detect any disability. It is invisible to most, even medical professionals. A fact that Josée is passionate about changing.

This genetic condition is said to affect 3% of the population. Diagnosis takes on average 15-20 years. Much after the damage has been done. Since her diagnosis, Josée has spent 11 months of rehab at the Lethridge Layton Mackay rehab center where she learned how to strengthen and manage daily tasks. Since, she continues to try to

rehab. However, the amount of rehab and medical support is simply not available.

Please join me in supporting Josee. Your donation, no matter how small, will help her get Remi as soon as possible and provide her with the peace she so rightfully deserves. Let’s come together and show her the same love and kindness she has shared with all of us.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping to lift up this incredible woman.

Summit Service Dogs

Why Summit? They are specialized in training dogs for those diagnosed with Autism. They understand how to train a dog for deep pressure therapy (which is helpful with symptoms such as high heart rate, low blood pressure or dizziness). They also have Remi, who fits her needs and is available in the coming months.

How You Can Help

We are asking for your help to raise the funds needed to bring Remi home! Service dogs receive specialized training and care and while the cost to bring Remi home is not cheap, she will have a life-altering impact. Every little bit helps, and we appreciate any donation you can make! There are no government grants or programs available to her in Quebec.

Other Ways to Help

1) Share this GFM!

2) Take a few minutes to read about connective tissue disorders and their associated comorbidities. https://www.ehlers-danlos.com/what-is-eds/

3) Learn more about: www.summitservicedogs.com

Donation Options

● GoFundMe - which includes cost for Remi and associated costs such as plane tickets.

● Donate directly to https://summitservicedogs.com/

A message from Summit

Summit Service Dogs is an accredited organization in the Province of Alberta. We provide highly trained dogs for those that will benefit from a service dog to meet their unique needs. We’re excited to provide a service dog for Josee St-Onge! More specifically, we’re excited to provide a mobility service dog to assist & support Josee with her mobility ; in her day-to-day activities. A service dog for Josee will enhance her quality of life; maintain her independence by offering practical support with everyday tasks. Some of the tasks that Josee’s service dog will be trained for is to open; close doors, retrieve items, dressing; undressing, to navigate crowds, ride the subway with Josee, pushing buttons, etc. A service dog for Josee will also provide companionship, emotional support; comfort to Josee. It will take a special dog to support Josee with her needs, but we believe we have the perfect prospect currently in advanced training. We would like to introduce you to Remi! Remi is a female chocolate lab. She is keen, eager to work, loving; has already learned many of the tasks Josee will require of a service dog. Remi will provide Josee with constant companionship; reduce the impacts that her disability might otherwise have on her. Remi will be fully certified; able to accompany Josee in public. This will assist Josee in maintaining independence; allow her to continue to work; live as functional of a life as possible. The projected date for Josee to

receive Remi is Summer 2025. REMI & All of us at Summit Service Dogs are honoured to work alongside Josee; provide her with a

service dog to improve her day-to-day activities & quality of life. A Go Fund Me page has been started to support this endeavor, so please help Josee reach her fundraising goal for Remi! If anyone would like more information or has questions we encourage you to visit our website at www.summitservicedogs.com

Sincerely,

Nathalie Gillespie & Stacey Wagner

Summit Service Dogs