Miles Kempsell is a joyful, curious five-year-old with a big heart and a simple wish: he wants a service dog “as a new friend.” But for Miles and his family, that “friend” would be so much more—it would be a life-changing source of safety, independence, and comfort.

Miles lives with KCNT1-related genetic epilepsy, a rare condition that causes unpredictable seizures, most often occurring at night every one to two weeks. These seizures can be dangerous and require constant vigilance from his parents, who do everything they can to keep him safe.

A specially trained service dog would become an essential part of Miles’s care team. Using visual cues, sounds, and even scent, the dog would be trained to detect and alert to Miles’s seizures. In the event of a seizure, the dog could notify his parents and provide physical protection by staying with Miles and helping prevent injury.

Beyond safety, a service dog would open the door to greater independence for Miles as he grows. It would give him the confidence to sleep in his own room, shower more independently, and play safely in the yard—milestones that many families take for granted but are significant steps forward for Miles. The dog would also offer emotional comfort and behavioral support, helping him feel more secure in his daily life.

Additionally, the service dog would be trained to help prevent elopement and assist in tracking if Miles were ever to wander, providing another critical layer of protection and peace of mind for his family.

Most importantly, this service dog would be Miles’s companion—his constant, loyal friend who understands him in ways words cannot express.

With your support, we can help bring this incredible partnership to life and give Miles not just a service dog, but greater safety, independence, and the friendship he dreams of.

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.