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Support Grant's Service Dog
Canvas Tri-Blend T-shirt
- Sizes YS - XXXL
- View Sizing Guide
About this campaign
In May 2017, as a 2 year old, Grant was diagnosed with Charcot Marie Tooth's (CMT) Disease Type 1D. This is a disease caused by a mutation of the EGR2 gene and is a muscular neuropathy primarily affecting fine and gross motor skills. To help increase Grant's independence and self sufficiency, we have decided to add a mobility assistance dog to our family. The process for training a mobility assistance dog is incredibly intensive, takes about 2 years, and costs roughly $18,000. Through this time, we will work intimately with a local training agency called Sit Means Sit to train Augie. Through four intensive phases (see below), the hope is that Augie will be trained to help Grant stand up, maintain stability when walking, pick up objects, help open doors, be a loyal companion, and other various needs as they arise.
Proposed Training Schedule:
Phase One- Basic/Advanced Obedience Skills; Foundation of Task Work
Phase Two- Public Access Training
Phase Three- Task Training
Phase Four- Finishing Training, Mobility Work and Final Evaluations
Our journey to this more unconventional approach to help Grant be as independent as possible has begun. Right now Grant can't stand up on his own from the floor. He either has to pull up or be picked up. If he's walking and wants to stop, he has to find something to hold on to or lean against, often a wall, rather than standing alone. He also can only walk on hard, flat surfaces, so grass, mulch, pebbles, etc aren't an option on his own. The hope is that a mobility assistant dog would help him to be able to do all of these things without the need of an adult and could be at his command anywhere and everywhere rather than having to use a stable piece of equipment that an adult would still have to bring to him. One day he may need a posterior walker, he could need a wheelchair, but right now he doesn't and we're praying boldly that the Lord continues to keep him strong and even grow his muscle strength despite what this disease says.
The training process for a service dog is a year and a half and, at that same time (18 months), you're allowed to start putting weight on a dog due to their joints and muscles being fully developed...so when Grant is 4 and a half. So this is going to be a long process but we're thankful that this puppy will get to bond with Grant from the very beginning.
To be completely honest, we don't know how this disease is going to progress or manifest in Grant. We may not know what 2 years or 20 years in the future looks like for Grant, but we rest in the assurance that God does. So we're stepping out in faith and trusting that this dog would be a benefit to Grant for a long time, and we'd ask that you would join us in boldly praying the same.
Special thanks to Shannon Long for the awesome shirt design!
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Supporters
I want to help this precious boy!
We love you all and your precious Grant.
Grant’s Aunt Nancy is my friend and she shared his fundraiser on Facebook. I would like to help.
Praying that you reach your goal! Many blessings, The Wren's