Sol's Service Dog Training Fund

In October of 2013, my dear friend, Soledad (Sol) Erickson, was told that she had a tumor wrapped around the base of her spinal cord.  She soon found out that while the tumor is benign, it is too closely entwined with her nerves for doctors to remove it.  As time goes on, she is losing more and more mobility in her legs.  

Sol and her husband, Matt, have three daughters who have been through a lot during these years dealing with their mother's illness and the changes it has meant for them.  Last year, the family decided to visit Chicago Canine Rescue with the hopes that having a dog would help ease the girls' anxiety levels and that eventually the dog could be trained as a service animal.  Over the course of several visits they decided that Mere (see photo) was the dog for them.

One year later, Sol is continuing to lose feeling in her legs and needs to spend progressively more time in her wheelchair.  While Mere has had some training, having her trained as a service dog for the family would be a huge help!  Sol's hope is that Mere will be able to pick things up off the floor for her, help pull her wheelchair if she gets stuck in a tight spot, offer support for Sol as she stands and sits down, and offer emotional support to the girls when they get upset.  Sol has already spoken with a trainer from Dynamic Dogs Chicago who is willing to work with Mere and thinks she'd be a great service dog.  

Having Mere trained will likely cost around $20,000 and is not covered by insurance.  We're hoping to raise the money by mid October.

Please help Sol reach her goal and share with others! Your contribution will mean so much to her and her family.