Walt, our precious rainbow baby miracle, born in March 2020, amidst the pandemic, brought us immense joy. As a baby, Walt thrived on mommy's love and attention, cuddling, and playing in the sand. Reaching milestones, like walking at nine months, Walt's progress was remarkable, yet, as time passed, he still didn't speak. Diagnosed with autism in November 2023, we remained steadfast in our support. Walt blossoms in comfortable environments, knowing exactly what he wants, feeling safe and content. However, venturing into public spaces poses challenges for our family, requiring meticulous planning to ensure his comfort. We're hopeful that a service dog will empower our family with greater independence, fostering Walt's growth, autonomy, and friendships at school. Your contribution towards our goal is a heartfelt blessing.

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.