My name is Kat Carter, I'm a dog trainer in North Carolina. I'm raising funds to help a very dear client of mine locate and train a new mobility service dog. Please read her story below, and consider helping if you can!

Kat Toney was born a micro-preemie with spastic quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy. She was raised to believe there was nothing she couldn't do; she just might have to do it differently than others!

Kati married a Marine who served 8 years in the USMC, and then later joined the Army National Guard. After 23 years of service, including 4 combat tours, he retired in 2020. When he joined the National Guard, Kati found her place to serve...something she had longed to do her whole life, but physically couldn't. She became the Family Readiness Group (FRG) Leader of the unit her husband was in. Her level of dedication and service quickly made her the battalion FRG leader, where she also received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, among other accolades. Kati went from volunteer to paid staff as she became a Family Assistance Center Specialist for the National Guard. While there, she formed a non-profit organization, partnering with the Air National Guard Family Assistance Director. In 2008, Kati was awarded the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher for her service to the 1/113th Field Artillery Battalion.

Kati left the National Guard in 2008 to join the Marine Battalion, 4th Maintenance Battalion, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, as their Battalion Family Readiness Officer. Kati served proudly as Family Readiness Officer for nearly 10 years, receiving multiple accolades and recognition for her service.

In 2017, Kati medically retired due to complications with her Cerebral Palsy. Kati's mobility began to rapidly decline, but she was able to get a mobility service dog trained before the surgery that caused the decline. Her first service dog, Lyla, was EVERYTHING to Kati. Not only did she provide stability and support when Kati walked, but she performed tasks such as picking items up off the floor and bringing them to her, bracing herself so that Kati could use her for balance. She slept next to Kati in the bed, always touching her to sense when Kati needed extra pressure because of pain or muscle spasms, and she would apply her body weight to Kati, to not only soothe her spasms, but to also help regulate breathing and short-circuit panic attacks.

Kati lost Lyla unexpectedly to kidney failure in 2023. She has a significant need for another dog, as aging with Cerebral Palsy is beginning to take its toll, affecting her back and hips, pain levels, mobility, etc. A dog that can bring her walker and retrieve items will significantly improve her quality of life.

It's very important to find the right dog for the job, and to financially cover the necessary training. My training facility trained her first service dog; we will be donating the public access and task training needed for the new service dog.

The funds raised here will cover adoption/purchase fees, travel, initial obedience training, and vetting/supplies. Additional money will go directly to Kati to cover vet care, equipment, food, and dog care.

Kati has done so much to help her community of veterans. It's time for us to take care of her! Losing Lyla was devastating, and finding the right dog to fill her "shoes" is a huge task. Let's help Kati find the perfect fit to heal her heart and support her mobility!