Hi, my name is Rosie, and I’m reaching out to share the story of my amazing son, Reid. He’s a sweet, loving, and funny 10-year-old who brings so much joy to everyone around him. Reid has a big heart and a contagious smile that lights up any room he walks into. 

Reid is living with autism and epilepsy, though. He faces challenges that make everyday life overwhelming. Loud noises, unfamiliar places, and sudden changes can make it feel hard for him to feel safe and calm, but a service dog trained just for him can make an incredible difference. We’ve recently discovered how a service dog trained specifically for him could change his life-providing comfort during stressful moments, keeping him safe in public places, interrupting self injurious behaviors, and even seizure alerting. The dog would be a constant friend and protector, helping Reid to gain independence and confidence. 

Service dogs are truly life changing, but they come with a significant cost— the portion we are trying to raise for a fully trained service dog is $20,000. The training and care these dogs receive ensure they are ready to meet the unique needs of Reid. While we’re doing everything we can to make this happen for Reid, we can’t do it alone. That’s why we are reaching out to our friends, family, and community, and hoping that kind hearted people will see the potential this dog has to make Reid’s world a little brighter and safer. Every donation, big or small, brings us one step closer to giving him the support and companionship he deserves. 

Your support means the world to us. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to changing Reid’s life for the better. If you’re unable to donate, sharing our story is just as helpful. 

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness and support. 

Sincerely,

Rosie, Reid, and Family

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.