Mid-July 2009 was the first time we had been introduced to the concept of using a service-dog to support children with unique emotional needs. It was during our in-take appointment at Eden Institute in Princeton, New Jersey that Carol Markowitz, Eden's COO, asked us if we had ever considered getting a service-dog for Zachary. Throughout this in-take process, a great deal of discussion focused on the signifcant amount of anxiety Zachary experienced, how this effected him functionally and the obvious impact it has had on us as a family. Much to our surprise, service-dogs could be used to provide emotional support and companionship for children like Zachary. We couldn't have been more excited by this concept and immediately started to research organizations that would specifically work with children. We were delighted and relieved to find 4 Paws for Ability located in Xenia, Ohio. http://www.4pawsforability.org
With great excitement, we had submitted our application to 4 Paws for Ability by the end of July. We were quickly contacted by Karen Shirk, the Executive Director and received our contract which included our $5,000 fundraising requirement for an In-Home Companion Service Dog trained with specialized skills. And so our journey to Xenia, Ohio began......
By the first weekend in August, we had composed a letter for our family and friends explaining Zachary's needs, who 4 Paws for Ability was, what our fundraising goal was and asked for their support in our quest to help Zachary. Every two weeks I received an email from 4 Paws for Ability updating us on our fundraising progress. The outpouring of support we were given from so many people in our lives, some from a long time ago while others we do not even know, was simply unblievable. Then, on Monday, September 28, Natalie, from 4 Paws for Ability called to tell us that an anonymous donor from an organization located in New Jersey had donated the final $2,500 we needed to reach our fundraising goal!
I'll never forget hearing Natalie saying the words, "You're done!" We were now one step closer to helping Zachary in a way we could have never imagined. During this phone call, Natalie also told me that we'd either be in the December 2009 or March 2010 training class. This single phone call achieved the impossible....it brought me to a loss for words! :) One day we thought we were still about $2,000 away from our goal and about 9 months away from getting Zachary his companion dog, and then the next afternoon we were "done"!!?? Crazy. While we were still reeling in the excitment of this amazing news and didn't think the week could get any better....IT DID!!! I received an e-mail from Natalie on Thursday, October 1 congratulating us on becoming part of December's training class. We'll be leaving for Ohio on November 30 and returning on December 12 with Zachary's new best-buddy. We are bubbling over with excitement and anticipation!!! :)
We'd love for you to subscribe to Zachary's blog-spot and share in this very exciting time for our family! We'll periodically update our blog over the next few weeks as we get closer to our trip to 4 Paws for Ability. Once we're in Ohio for training, we'll definitely be updating our blog daily throught the duration of our trip. We hope to hear from you!
Just 45 days til training....OHIO OR BUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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