Nate is a sweet, kind, resilient little boy who has already overcome more than most do in a lifetime. 

At just 6 days old, what began as a fever quickly became a medical emergency. Within hours, he was in the NICU, experiencing frequent seizures, requiring multiple medications, and eventually needing breathing support. Days later, we learned he had suffered a significant brain injury from a rare Parechovirus infection. We were told to prepare for the possibility that he might never walk, talk, or meaningfully interact with the world.

Today, Nate is thriving in ways we once only hoped for. He walks, runs, dances, climbs, talks, and fills our home with laughter. He adores his sisters, loves space and Paw Patrol, and brings joy to everyone around him. At the same time, Nate continues to live with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism. His journey includes ongoing therapies, medical care, and daily challenges that require constant vigilance and support.

A trained service dog could be life-changing for Nate by:

• Alerting us to seizures or changes in his condition
• Providing deep pressure therapy during sensory overload
• Helping keep him safe in public and at school
• Supporting mobility and balance as he grows
• Offering constant companionship and emotional regulation

A service dog would not just be a helper, but they would be a critical part of Nate's safety, independence, and daily life.

Why this matters:

As parents, we live in the space between gratitude and vigilance. We are endlessly grateful for how far Nate has come, and at the same time, we are always aware of how quickly things can change. A service dog would give Nate more independence, confidence, and safety in a world that can feel unpredictable. It would also give us, as his parents, a measure of peace.

While we are both working professionals, the reality is that raising three children, each with their own needs, along with ongoing medical expenses, therapies, and the weight of student loans makes this cost difficult to absorb on our own.

Asking for help is not easy, but this is an opportunity to provide something truly life-changing for Nate. With your support, we can give him greater freedom, safety, and the chance to continue thriving. We appreciate donations of any size to help us reach our goal. 

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.