paws4people foundation

                             GRACIE Stands the Watch!



(For more information, please visit www.paws4people.org)

I share the name of a famous movie character, CAPT. Harry Bailey who played Jimmy Stewart’s younger brother in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” You may have heard of it! I share more than just a name because I have had and still do have, a wonderful life. GRACIE stands the watch for me.

Bailey men have proudly served our wonderful country throughout the 20th century and into the 21st. I was in the Mekong Delta during Vietnam as Executive Officer (XO) responsible for security and stood the watch for the Riverine Forces and Seal Team 2. I had the distinct and rare honor of command at sea several times. In 31 years of service I have sailed in every sea and ocean(except the Antarctic) around the globe and commanded and served with thousands of sailors and Marines. In all that time along with thousands of other military families, my wife Audrey stood the watch at home.

We now have a new battle. Six years ago I contracted Alzheimer’s Disease, then after cataract surgery lost most of my vision. Audrey is still standing the watch by my side, but now she has help…GRACIE. It is almost impossible to describe the wonder of this special Service Dog. Some of my symptoms mimic PTSD, GRACIE is right beside me providing a calm, secure presence. She helps me focus and most important makes me smile. GRACIE continues to train to lead me to certain places in our home, the car and outdoors as well! You name it, GRACIE stands the watch.

GRACIE is a gift to us and our part is to Pay it Forward. Our goal is to raise $10,000. Audrey and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with a quiet family dinner, the rest of the “big bash” money will be donated to paws4vets. Our oldest granddaughter graduated from High School this year and has asked that donations in lieu of gifts be made to honor this worthy cause. Will you help us so that another Veteran can have a GRACIE stand the watch?

To learn more about this wonderful organization, please visit www.paws4people.org

Taylor is a graduate of Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn, Virginia. At the age of eleven, in 2002, after completing the fifth​ grade, Taylor suffered an AVM brain bleed. This left Taylor with devastating physical disabilities, and an uncertain future. He is legally blind, and also has many other visual handicaps. Taylor has a speech disability ­ Dysarthria, but can speak slowly. Taylor has a very supportive sister and parents, with whom he lives. His family is very dedicated to helping him achieve more independence and RIGGS will be wonderful for Taylor as well. He can look forward to help opening doors, picking up things he 
drops, help with taking off his shoes and socks and many other things that RIGGS has been trained to do. Taylor and RIGGS are going to make an awesome team!




Please DONATE




http://paws4people.org/give/taylor-werner/

Retired US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diver, applying for service dog through paws4people.org. One of my missions is to raise funds to pay it forward for the next service member in need. The cost to fully train each service dog is roughlly $35,000. This does not include the countless volunteer hours that these wounderful people have, and will spend, to care and help people like me transition to a healthier state of living. While it is not a requirement that we raise any certain amount to be placed with a service dog; this is the best way to ensure the continuation of care and support needed for those who come to follow. I am required to pay for all travel expenses for a minimum of five events including, (airfare, rental car, lodging, and incidentals ie... food, gas, and tolls, etc...). Fortunately, I have received two grants for travel through Semper Fi Fund & Navy & Marine Corp Relief Society, but I still have a minimum of three more mandatory unfunded training events required for completion of program. Currently, I am in the appeal process with the Department of Veteran Affairs Administration for compensation benefits, and anxiously awaiting for my acceptance letter from VCU Richmond to begin college In the Fall.
Thank You Everyone,
Even for a message of support

In January of 2010, we met Aaron for the very first time in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He was five and a half months old, and very weak. Aaron weighed only eight pounds, but his smile lit up the room. But the smile couldn't hide how sick he was, and after we got back to Wilmington we embarked on a more than two-year journey to nurse him back to health. Thanks to the help of a team of amazing physicians, incredible therapist and the support of family and friends he has made huge leaps.

Aaron's daily life is the same as any four year old. He laughs, plays, dances, and gets into mischief.

But he doesn't talk.

Aaron is severely impacted by Apraxia of Speech. Apraxia of speech is an oral motor speech disorder affecting an individual's ability to translate conscious speech plans into motor plans, which results in limited and difficult speech ability. In adults, the disorder is caused by illness or injury, while the cause of AOS in children is unknown. Aaron has very little expressive speech, which is extremely frustrating for him. Aaron gets therapy daily. He receives occupational, physical, speech and hippotherapy. Aaron also attends a wonderful developmental pre-school, but he needs a little more help.

This summer I met the trainers from paws4people at a local event. paws4people is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing highly trained service dogs to individuals in need. I talked to them about the possibility of a service dog for our family. I submitted our application despite feeling it was a long shot we would be selected. Then, over Labor Day weekend, we got the call that Aaron could meet the service dogs in training in December and see if any of them were a good fit.

That was the most amazing news!

We drove almost 9 hours to West Virginia to meet the dogs earlier this month, and Aaron and HATTIE bonded after spending a few minutes together. HATTIE is a beautiful Golden Retriever. She will be able to assist Aaron at home, in the community, during therapy sessions and she will make school visits.

We are beyond thrilled to welcome HATTIE to our team, but we need your support. By contributing to our PayItForward campaign you are not only helping HATTIE join our family, but helping paws4people continue the mission of providing canine companionship and highly trained assistance dogs to others.

Trained service dogs are valued between $25,000 to $30,000. In order for HATTIE to be transferred to us, we will need to raise $10,000.

Please help us meet this goal with a tax deductible donation!

• Providing training for assistance dogs that change lives every day.
• Creating educational programs that empower individuals to harness the benefits of these incredible companions.