If you know our family, you know how much Noah means to us — and how much Jolie, his golden retriever ‍(our “polar bear”), has already changed his life.

Noah is 18, living with complex needs, and just graduated high school with an honorary diploma — a milestone we’ll never stop celebrating. In October 2023, we started training with Aspen Service Dogs in their owner-trained program, and since then we’ve spent over 90 Saturday mornings working alongside Jolie. Unlike programs where you receive a fully trained service dog, this path means we’ve been working with Jolie ourselves — learning, growing, and staying dedicated to this commitment every step of the way. The experience has already transformed Noah’s world, and now we’d love to invite our community to help us finish what we started.

Jolie is so much more than a dog — she’s Noah’s best friend, motivator, and calming presence when the world feels overwhelming. We started training with her when she was just eight months old, and watching her grow into her role has been nothing short of amazing. She gives Noah confidence to attend appointments, stay calm in busy places, and navigate stressful moments without shutting down. She’s even helped him with his sleep, made travel easier, and encouraged him to engage with his community in ways we never thought possible.

The cost of getting Jolie fully trained and certified is $11,497, which we’ve carefully tracked and paid up front so she could stay on track with her program. Every dollar raised here goes directly toward the cost of her schooling — the weekly classes we’ve been attending since October 2023, the progress assessments, and her final certification.

So many friends and family have asked how they can support Noah as he steps into adulthood. While gifts or donations are never expected, completing Jolie’s training is one of the most meaningful ways to invest in his future. Helping Jolie become a fully certified service dog means giving Noah the gift of confidence, safety, and independence for years to come.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us make this dream a reality for Noah. Whether you donate, share this page, or simply send good thoughts, you’re part of Team Jolie — and we couldn’t do this without you.

If you’d like to follow along with Jolie’s training and watch her journey, join us here:

Instagram: @jolie.the.goldie.sdit

Facebook: Jolie the Goldie Service dog in training

With gratitude,

Arin, Manuel, Noah & Jolie ‍‍❤️