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.

UPDATE: We Did It – Thank You!! 

We are overwhelmed with gratitude and joy to share that we have officially met our fundraising goal of $23,000 (all donations are not reflected on Qgive as other donations have come in via check, Venmo, or sent directly to 4 Paws). Because of your generosity, encouragement, and unwavering support, we are now one huge step closer to a brighter, safer, and more supported future for Leo.

Every donation, every share, every prayer, and every kind word has meant the world to our family. This milestone isn’t just about reaching a number—it’s about the love and community behind it. You’ve shown us we’re not walking this journey alone.

Thank you for being part of Leo’s story. We’re so excited for what’s ahead—and we can’t wait to share updates as we move forward with Leo’s service dog journey.

With full hearts,
Leo, Kaley, Zach, and Elliott 

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Leo is a beautiful and resilient child with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (22q13) and Ring Chromosome 22, two extremely rare genetic disorders involving chromosome 22. These conditions impact nearly every aspect of his life, from learning and communication to mobility, eating, and sleep. Leo is non-speaking, visually impaired, falls frequently, aspirates on food and liquids, and has multiple medical complexities. He is also autistic. One of our greatest concerns is Leo’s safety. He does not understand danger, making him highly vulnerable to wandering or elopement.

Despite these challenges, Leo is so much more than a diagnosis. He is one of the happiest little boys, full of life and love, and he works 100 times harder every day at tasks many of us take for granted. His joy is boundless.

After extensive research, we found that a service dog is the most impactful way to support Leo. We are thrilled to share that Leo has been approved for a service dog through 4 Paws for Ability, an organization out of Ohio that specializes in training service dogs for children and veterans with disabilities.

What makes 4 Paws for Ability unique is its “three-unit team” approach. Unlike most service dog programs that train only the individual and the dog, 4 Paws includes a third team member, a trained handler, who will help manage the dog’s care and commands. Leo’s dog will be trained for:

✅ Mobility support to help with his frequent falls and overall balance
✅ Autism support to provide comfort and regulation
✅ Tracking in case of elopement or wandering
✅ Tethering to prevent unsafe running
✅ And more, all tailored to his needs

Here's the catch: we must raise $22,000 towards Leo’s dog. The total cost of raising and training each service dog is approximately $40,000. Once funded, it will take 1.5 to 2 years for Leo to receive his dog—but every step brings us closer to giving him the safety, independence, and companionship he deserves.

While this is a significant amount, we believe in the power of community. Together, we can make this happen for Leo.

If you feel led to contribute, we would be deeply grateful for your support. If giving financially is not possible, we appreciate your thoughts, prayers, and help in sharing Leo’s story to spread awareness about Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.

We are “Phelan Lucky” to have such a strong support network. 

With love, hope, & gratitude,

Leo, Zach, Kaley, and Elliott Bishard