Help Tobias and Guide Dog Gal after House Fire

Our Journey Together

We began our rewarding journey as puppy raisers with our first puppy, a yellow Labrador named Gal. She is incredibly smart, confident, and spirited. At 18 months old, Gal left for formal training at Guide Dog School and officially became a seeing-eye dog.

On March 18, 2023, Gal graduated alongside her handler, Tobias. On that day, we met Tobias for the first time and have stayed in touch ever since. Together, they embarked on their new life in Los Angeles and formed an unbreakable bond. Gal brought joy and independence to Tobias’s life, especially since he had lost his spouse of 22 years to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma only six weeks before meeting her.

Tobias's Path to Independence

Tobias's vision loss began in 2005 when it became a major functional impairment, prompting him to pivot from his residency as a head and neck surgeon. Over the next decade, his vision gradually deteriorated, reaching full blindness by 2018. During this time, Tobias embraced learning braille at the Braille Institute and transitioned to a residential program at the California Orientation Center for the Blind in Berkeley. Just a few years after starting his retraining and gaining Braille literacy, he mastered the technology needed to function independently, both personally and professionally.

His dedication and hard work paid off when he was accepted into the graduate school program at the University of California on a full scholarship. Despite his vision loss, Tobias became his spouse’s primary caregiver and continued to care for him even after starting graduate school.

In May 2024, Tobias earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern California and started a new career as a psychotherapist. With Gal by his side, he moved into a new home, marking the beginning of a promising chapter in his life.

The Tragic Incident

On November 6, their world was turned upside down. A fire broke out in the neighboring house, rapidly spreading to Tobias’s home. While Tobias and Gal were trapped on the second floor, the firefighters heroically cut through the wall to rescue them. Tobias, carrying Gal in his arms, descended the ladder but suffered a broken toe due to a fall during the escape. Despite the trauma, both Tobias and Gal are safe and recovering.

The Road to Recovery

Now, Tobias is staying in a hotel with hardly any possessions and limited financial means. He has lost everything, including essential work equipment for his Telehealth practice. Tobias remains optimistic and determined to rebuild his life, but he needs our support.

How You Can Help

We ask you to join us in helping them rebuild their lives. Any contribution, big or small, will make a significant difference. Your donations will go towards:

- Cover higher living expenses (hotel, food, clothes) as they transition to a new chapter

- Replacement of Tobias’s computer equipment for his Telehealth work so he can regain his financial independence

- Relocation expenses as Tobias moves to Minneapolis to be closer to family.

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.