Dear Friends and Family,

We are reaching out to request your support for our amazing son, Jack, who is living with Phelan McDermid Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting the 22nd chromosome. This condition impacts brain development and many critical functions in Jack’s body, leading to intellectual disabilities, developmental delays, speech difficulties, sleep disturbances, and autism spectrum disorder.

Despite these challenges, Jack is a light in our family. After being adopted from China at four years old in September 2017, we received Jack’s diagnosis in May 2020. While it was a scary moment, it also provided clarity and connected us with the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation. Through this support, we’ve formed invaluable connections with other families navigating similar journeys.

In July 2024, we had the privilege of attending the PMSF Family Conference in Bloomington, MN. Hearing from families about the transformative impact of service dogs reinforced our hope for Jack’s future. Service dogs not only enhance safety but also provide emotional support and companionship, making a significant difference in daily lives.

We are seeking to raise $20,000 to fund a service dog through 4 Paws for Ability. This dog will be specially trained in:

• Tethering: Helping keep Jack safe from wandering or eloping.

• Tracking: Utilizing their exceptional sense of smell to locate Jack if he ever gets lost.

• Behavior Disruption: Using techniques like redirection and deep pressure to help comfort Jack and mitigate meltdowns.

Your support—whether through donations or by sharing our campaign—will bring us closer to providing Jack with the essential assistance he deserves.

Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and support as we work to bring this life-changing support into Jack’s world. Our family truly appreciates you!

Sincerely,

Dave, Christy, Jonah, & Jack Hiller

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.