Saving Paws Animal Rescue

Just over a year ago, my family lost a handsome young man - my nephew, Tyler Anderson-Mulder.

Tyler was 22 years old when he died of fentanyl poisoning. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC. His struggles with opioids started innocently with a prescription from a local doctor following a motorcycle accident. Struggling with a nerve disease known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Tyler felt as if opioids were helping him manage his pain, which is how a silent addiction started.

Tyler’s twin brother, Zack lived with Tyler during this time. “We were very close as twins, I knew he had a problem with drugs but never thought he was addicted,” Zack remembered. “I never thought fentanyl poisoning would affect somebody in my life, especially not my brother.”

Tyler's Best Friend

Tyler has always had a love of animals and in recent years, adopted a beautiful pup, Maya, from Saving Paws Animal Rescue in Appleton, Wisconsin. Maya was Tyler's best friend and he loved her so much - she stayed right by his side until the very end.

Tyler's family recently helped to unveil a beautiful new mural painting showing Tyler and Maya together at Saving Paws to help continue to share Tyler's story and bring awareness to Fentanyl's prevalence in the Fox Valley.

Saving Paws Animal Rescue mission is dedicated to rescuing homeless, abandoned and special needs animals and finding new adoptive homes; to train and provide service dogs to children, adults and Veterans with disabilities to help with both physical and emotional independence. They also seek to educate the public regarding animal responsibility and the use of service dogs in public places.

Why am I sharing this story?

Over the years, I have participated in many runDisney events at the Walt Disney World Resort - having run in multiple 5K, 10K, Half Marathons and Two-Course Challenges. But my biggest challenge is still ahead of me... on Sunday, January 8th, 2023, I will be running in my very first FULL marathon at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Throughout my 18 weeks of intense marathon training, I kept having the same thought - I want to run this marathon for a purpose. I want to run this marathon to bring awareness to something important. I want to run this marathon to help support something special to not only me but my incredible family. I want to run this marathon in honor of my nephew.

I will be dedicating my first marathon to honoring Tyler's life and helping raise money for Saving Paws Animal Rescue. My original goal was to raise $3,000, which would have allow me to name one of the 12 dog suites at their facility in Tyler's name. However, thanks to so many generous donations within 48 hours, I am increasing the goal to $5,000. This new goal will allow me to name the “Animal Meet & Greet Center” after Tyler - this space is where potential parents will meet the animals, which I think is such a special space!!

To hear more about Tyler's story and Saving Paws Animal Rescue, please visit: https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/green-bay/news/2022/12/13/tyler-anderson-fentaynal

Thank you in advance for your support and generous donation - I can't put into words how much it means to me and my family.

I'll see you at the finish line, Tyler!