Service Dog for Jeremy
Donation protected
*8/9/17 UPDATE - MATCHING GIFT CHALLENGE!*
A generous donor has agreed to match all donations for Jeremy's Service Dog from now until the end of August, up to $1,000! Donate now to double the impact of your contribution!
Jeremy is the loving, energetic and happy son of our friends Chris & Elisha Leonard, whom we met through Grace Church. At age 2 1/2 Jeremy was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now five years old, Jeremy is mostly non-verbal but making progress. The Leonards had previously looked into getting a service dog to help Jeremy, but that goal was out of reach due to the cost.
Thanks to one of Jeremy's early intervention therapists, they discovered an organization called "Vested Partners - Dogs for Autism." The cost for a service dog through Vested Partners is $20,000, but this wonderful organization has already raised $16,000 towards the cost of a personally matched and fully trained service dog for Jeremy!
The remaining $4,000 must be covered by the Leonards. These committed and caring parents would love nothing more than to provide Jeremy with this opportunity, but they need our help. They could potentially be matched with a dog in the next two weeks. We want the Leonards to be able to bring home a service dog for Jeremy as soon as possible!
Jeremy's service dog will accompany him at all times and would help him in so many ways:
1) Help distract Jeremy from stimming (repetitive body movements or actions that self-stimulate). This alone is a full-time job. Stimming makes Jeremy over- sensitive and can cause emotional meltdowns.
2) Prevent Jeremy from running off when in public (especially in parking lots). Right now, they must be extra vigilant when getting out of the car because he doesn't understand danger and will try to take off running.
3) Alert the family if Jeremy tries to leave the house alone. If Jeremy were to get lost, the dog would also be trained to find him.
5) Help watch Jeremy around water and potentially rescue him if needed.
Will you join me in showing some practical love and support for Jeremy and his family? Any amount is helpful and GREATLY appreciated!
Whether you are able to donate or not, would you please help spread the word? Please share on social media, send out an email, talk to family and friends, etc. If you have any questions about making a donation, feel free to contact me, Jennifer Hall. (I do not use Facebook, but will respond to emails quickly, and can connect you with Jeremy's mom Elisha Leonard to answer questions as well). Thank you!!
A generous donor has agreed to match all donations for Jeremy's Service Dog from now until the end of August, up to $1,000! Donate now to double the impact of your contribution!
Jeremy is the loving, energetic and happy son of our friends Chris & Elisha Leonard, whom we met through Grace Church. At age 2 1/2 Jeremy was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now five years old, Jeremy is mostly non-verbal but making progress. The Leonards had previously looked into getting a service dog to help Jeremy, but that goal was out of reach due to the cost.
Thanks to one of Jeremy's early intervention therapists, they discovered an organization called "Vested Partners - Dogs for Autism." The cost for a service dog through Vested Partners is $20,000, but this wonderful organization has already raised $16,000 towards the cost of a personally matched and fully trained service dog for Jeremy!
The remaining $4,000 must be covered by the Leonards. These committed and caring parents would love nothing more than to provide Jeremy with this opportunity, but they need our help. They could potentially be matched with a dog in the next two weeks. We want the Leonards to be able to bring home a service dog for Jeremy as soon as possible!
Jeremy's service dog will accompany him at all times and would help him in so many ways:
1) Help distract Jeremy from stimming (repetitive body movements or actions that self-stimulate). This alone is a full-time job. Stimming makes Jeremy over- sensitive and can cause emotional meltdowns.
2) Prevent Jeremy from running off when in public (especially in parking lots). Right now, they must be extra vigilant when getting out of the car because he doesn't understand danger and will try to take off running.
3) Alert the family if Jeremy tries to leave the house alone. If Jeremy were to get lost, the dog would also be trained to find him.
5) Help watch Jeremy around water and potentially rescue him if needed.
Will you join me in showing some practical love and support for Jeremy and his family? Any amount is helpful and GREATLY appreciated!
Whether you are able to donate or not, would you please help spread the word? Please share on social media, send out an email, talk to family and friends, etc. If you have any questions about making a donation, feel free to contact me, Jennifer Hall. (I do not use Facebook, but will respond to emails quickly, and can connect you with Jeremy's mom Elisha Leonard to answer questions as well). Thank you!!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Hall
Organizer
Greenville, SC
Elisha Leonard
Beneficiary
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