Hi,

Most of you reading this message already know who I am, but here it is.

This is Matteo Garbelotto. I am a forestry professor at U.C. Berkeley. In 2018, I had a major ski accident that partially cracked one of my vertebrae, followed by a massive pulmonary embolism. I was able to rehabilitate and walk again, also thanks to the help of a service dog, a Nova Scotia Mix called S'Abba. I ski for fun and also for work to reach study sites. I grew up in the Dolomites at the border between Italy and Austria, so this year I could not miss the opportunity of being part of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. I am doing so by carrying the torch bearing the Olympic flame in my native Dolomites on January 28th. What is extraordinary is that S'Abba will carry the torch with me! This is one of the first times a service dog for a self-sufficient person with a mobility disability will carry the torch. We will be in Campitello di Fassa (TN) on January 28th at 11:50 am. S'Abba and I are super excited about this honor and will be heading to Val di Fassa soon.

I am taking this opportunity to raise money for older service and guide dogs that are put in shelters. I will match your donations and give them to an appropriate charity. My ask is that you donate 10 USD or 10 Euros per each person in your family. This will not be a huge overall donation, but I am sure every little bit helps.

We both thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Watch us at the Olympics!!!

Matteo & S'Abba