Training a service dog to meet our child’s requirements can be very costly. On average it costs between $40,000-60,000 to raise, train, and place a service dog at 4 Paws for Ability. While 4 Paws for Ability fundraises to help cover a significant portion of this cost, families are tasked with raising $20,000 of that amount or $23,000 if receiving a poodle, doodle or papillon. We hope that we can receive assistance from our beloved family and friends to help make our service dog dream a reality.

Hi there!! Thank you for visiting my page! My name is Eviemira (JunJun is my nickname)  and I just turned 8 years old! I have a surprise to share! Are you ready for this huge amazing news?

I was approved to get my very own service dog from 4 PAWS FOR ABILITY and for my birthday I am raising money!!!!!! I am hoping you will want to help me in making my dream come true!

You see, I was born with a condition called AMC. It means my arms, hands and legs and feet don’t work the same as every one else’s.  God made me unique and different and I have to work harder to do things that may come easier for other kids. 

I do things my own special way!

I use a tricycle and a power chair to get around and I’m so super fast! I’ve had many surgeries and medical procedures done to help me. I work very hard in therapy, even when I feel tired. I am trying to build muscle to be able to be a walker one day. My family says I’m so brave and strong! 

A service dog will help me do the hard tasks that I usually need others to help me with. A service dog will also keep me safe because I lose my balance and fall a lot when I try and walk which makes me nervous sometimes,

I need my new furry best friend to help me feel safe.

My new friend will help me In my journey to independence and I am so excited!

Now you can read  what my family wrote below and pray about making a donation for my birthday! Thank you for reading my story and helping to bring my new best friend home!!

Love 

JunJun (Eviemira Cannelongo)

Hey there! It’s Eviemira’s proud Mom and dad here! Thank you for reading all about our special girl!!

We are also very excited that she was approved for her service dog and we know this special furry friend will be extremely beneficial for her in gaining independence, safety and confidence and so many other wonderful benefits.

But, first a little bit more about what AMC is:

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, or AMC for short is a condition that affects a person’s joints and limbs. The joints can have limited movement or be in a fixed position (contractures). AMC is rare and AMC is not curable, but it is very treatable! Usually the goal of treatment is to make a person as independent as possible in activities of daily living (ADL’s). ADL’s are those things you do everyday to take care of yourself (eating, dressing, etc). Treatment for arthrogryposis usually involves stretching (to increase joint range of motion), physical therapy to work on overall strength and gross motor skills (walking, standing, climbing stairs) and occupational therapy to work on fine motor and self-help skills (writing, feeding, etc). Some people (like our girl) also need treatments like: serial casting (to help get her legs and feet straight), bracing (ankle foot and leg orthotics) or even orthopedic surgery (releasing and lengthening tight muscles and tendons, changing what body part a tendon or muscle moves, or even osteotomies to change angle or rotation of a bone). All of which our girl has had or currently has.

We adopted Eviemira from China at age 3. She has come so far in the last 4 years through many surgeries, castings, therapies and a lot of hard work and determination!

Our goal is always to help her increase her level of independence, and confidence. 

She wants to one day not need her power chair or bike for mobility.

A specially trained service dog will help her navigate crowded situations, grab and pick up things for her and give her balance and prevent her from falling.

Furthermore, Her dog will also be trained to detect if her blood sugar level drops dangerously low since Eviemira has a condition called, hypoglycemia. Her dog will be trained to calm her various anxieties as well. 

Aren't dogs so amazing?!

We believe her service dog will bring her a new level of safety, confidence and security as she grows and matures and strives for independence. Her dog will be specifically trained for her very own exact needs. 

Once all the funds are raised, Eviemira’s service dog (puppy) will be picked and professionally trained for two years and then we would fly to Ohio for her to train with her service dog.  To train a service dog costs $40,000 - $60,000.  "4Paws" asks that we raise $23,000 of those costs.  Unfortunately, there is no insurance available to help people who need service dogs and the 2 year process to get her dog can not offically start until all funds are raised. Which is why we are praying for a miracle!

I am reaching out to see if our village can help us.  If every person who is  reading this gave even just  $10 or shared her story, I believe we can reach this goal.  

Thank you for reading our Eviemira’s story and considering a donation or helping us share so she can get her service dog and reach new levels of independence. You can donate online or call “4Paws for Ability”directly and ask to donate towards Eviemira Cannelongo’s service dog.

We just know a service dog will offer her more independence in life than we ever thought possible!  

Thank you so much for your supportt, prayers and love!

Love,

The Cannelongo family 

You can read more about our family on our blog: www.wildflowerhope.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildflower.hope