Donation protected
Assistance Dogs International requires service dogs to have a minimum of 300 hours of training, but for the service dogs that Greg needs, it’s 1,500 hours. It costs approximately $25,000 per dog which includes housing, educating, feeding, and covering the animals vet costs associated with acquiring a dog like this - and the wait times can be anywhere from 6 months to years. The financial burden of acquiring a specialized dog like Sprinkles and Ali also isn't covered by insurance or Medicaid. Our goal for this campaign is to raise enough funds for Greg so that he doesn't need to spend one dollar out of pocket for acquiring this specialized pup!
Message from Greg:
"Being born with a severe diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, my parents feared for my future. Medical professionals were not sure of my ability to walk or have fine-motor control long term. I was at high-risk for seizures and respiratory infections. It was a long thirteen year road of weekly physical therapy, accompanied by my four-legged partner that helped define my independence today.
I received my first service dog at the age of eleven, becoming the youngest person in my state to ever be certified with a Service Animal for public use. Ali (my first dog) taught me the importance of self-affirmation. I struggled with the idea of being grounded within my own reality. Being the only Asian and physically-disabled person in my school, I felt that I couldn't show what I was capable of among my peers. It's easy to make stereotypes and label assumptions when some of your burdens are as transparent as my physical disability. However, no burden in this world should diminish the resiliency of others, and through Ali, I was able to let go of those judgements.
Today I am living on my own as an Academic Advisor for Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). I enjoy many physical disciplines like weightlifting, pro wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu. I was able to share all of these experiences with my second Service Dog, Sprinkles, until she passed away from cancer at age 10 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been able to thrive under immense hardship with going through years of physical therapy, the unexpected deaths of my mother and best friend, Will, in college, and losing Sprinkles during the pandemic. I am seeking my next service dog to ensure that I can continue my independence and show everyone around me that your burdens deserve to be carried as much as your pride."
-Greg Demeule
Message from Greg:
"Being born with a severe diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, my parents feared for my future. Medical professionals were not sure of my ability to walk or have fine-motor control long term. I was at high-risk for seizures and respiratory infections. It was a long thirteen year road of weekly physical therapy, accompanied by my four-legged partner that helped define my independence today.
I received my first service dog at the age of eleven, becoming the youngest person in my state to ever be certified with a Service Animal for public use. Ali (my first dog) taught me the importance of self-affirmation. I struggled with the idea of being grounded within my own reality. Being the only Asian and physically-disabled person in my school, I felt that I couldn't show what I was capable of among my peers. It's easy to make stereotypes and label assumptions when some of your burdens are as transparent as my physical disability. However, no burden in this world should diminish the resiliency of others, and through Ali, I was able to let go of those judgements.
Today I am living on my own as an Academic Advisor for Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). I enjoy many physical disciplines like weightlifting, pro wrestling, and Jiu-Jitsu. I was able to share all of these experiences with my second Service Dog, Sprinkles, until she passed away from cancer at age 10 during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been able to thrive under immense hardship with going through years of physical therapy, the unexpected deaths of my mother and best friend, Will, in college, and losing Sprinkles during the pandemic. I am seeking my next service dog to ensure that I can continue my independence and show everyone around me that your burdens deserve to be carried as much as your pride."
-Greg Demeule
Co-organizers (3)
Rylan Richard
Organizer
West Warwick, RI
Greg Demeule
Beneficiary
Corilyn Henault
Co-organizer
Chris Kunzmann
Co-organizer