My brother's family is navigating a challenging period following a terrifying event this past Easter weekend. My 10-year-old niece, who has always shown remarkable strength while living with selective mutism, was the victim of an attempted kidnapping and assault. She was so brave, fighting and screaming, and her courage allowed her to escape. The aftermath has plunged this sweet girl into a daily struggle with nightmares, anxiety, and fear. The whole family (four kids, all under 10) is shaken, but my brother shared that their faith in Jesus has been an anchor, reminding my niece that her identity is secure in Christ and that she is truly a child of God.

To help my niece find peace and reclaim her life, they are seeking to welcome a puppy into their family, specifically to be trained as a service dog for therapeutic purposes. This highly trained companion will be a lifeline for my niece, her siblings, and the family. Once trained, it will be capable of recognizing and interrupting flashbacks or panic attacks, providing deep comfort, and offering a constant sense of security. This dog will also assist with emotional regulation, reduce social anxiety, and help my niece navigate the world with greater confidence and independence.

Bringing such a skilled service dog into their home requires a significant amount of resources. According to Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and Freedom Service Dogs, the cost to train a service dog can range from $25,000 to $50,000, in addition to the family's daily involvement.

Your support will be directly invested in the life-changing acquisition and training of this service dog, as well as any related expenses crucial to my niece's healing. By contributing, you're not just donating; you're helping them restore safety, hope, and normalcy for my niece and her entire family.

Thank you for considering joining us in redeeming something that was intended for terrible evil, transforming it into something restorative and beautiful.

The righteous cry, and the Lord hears

And delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

And saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:17-18