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! My name is Thomas and I am a four year old boy living in New Jersey with my family. I go to school with my friends and I go to church on Sundays. My favorite activities include swimming in Pop's pool, bowling, and bouncing on my trampoline while watching Pixar movies. 

I have some things that make me unique from other kids like me - I have a genetic syndrome called Mowat - Wilson Syndrome. It is a deletion of my ZEB2 gene (I don't really know what that means.... but that's what the doctors said!). The change in my genetics affects me in many ways. My nose is broad and my fingers are long and thin, plus my ear lobes are attached and my heart had an issue when I was a baby - luckily that's all taken care of now. I don't speak and my thereapists at school are helping me learn how to use an AAC device. I also can walk quite a few steps, but sometimes I fall down - so I use my walker when I'm crusing. I've had multiple surgeries in my life and I take medicine every day to prevent seizures. 

Seizures are the worst. They make me grumpy, scared, and I can't sleep very well. I hate seizures. Because of the seizures and my struggles with walking and speaking, I want to get a doggie to help me. If you want to learn more about my sydndrome, feel free to ask my mom or dad! 

Thank you! 

Love always, 

Thomas (as interpreted by Mom, Kiyna).