
Riding for Service Dogs
When Spencer Locks was 4 years old, he was diagnosed with epilepsy. This new diagnosis required medications and electronic monitoring of his brain functioning and oxygen levels while he slept to ensure his safety. As one can imagine, this was a difficult time for Spencer and his family.
After several years, Spencer and his family were introduced to Canine Partners for Life. This organization paired Spencer with a black labradoodle puppy named Sinjin. Sinjin spent the rest of her life monitoring Spencer when he slept and alerting his parents if he was about to have a seizure. Suddenly, Spencer didn't need to be hooked up to monitoring systems that beeped and sirened, he could be a typical kid with a dog sleeping in his room.
Sinjin passed away just over two years ago and our family will always miss her and the sense of protection she brought to our home because she looked after its youngest member so well. However, Canine Partners for Life continues its mission and has placed 650 dogs in 45 states.
This organization connects individuals with a vareity of special needs with an impecably trained service dog.
Chances are, you know someone who is affected by one of the following:
- ALS
- Arthritis
- Cardiac related disabilities
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic back/neck problems
- Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy/seizure disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Narcolepsy/Cataplexy
- Paralysis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Stroke
Each dog costs over $30,000 to care for and train before joining a family and can only continue their amazing work due to donations.
Kenzi, Ryan and Michael will be riding in New York City's Five Borough Bike Tour on May 1, 2016 to raise donations to help other children and adults like Spencer find their service dog in hopes that they might feel safer and healthier.