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Childhood should be about smiles, fun and friends. As children, we learn to deal with small challenges as we watch adults and learn how to deal with bigger ones. Unfortunately, Gracie has to deal with challenges that would BREAK most adults.
Gracie age 9, has been diagnosed with Epilepsy & convulsions, Encephalopathy (The brain and nervous system are considered to develop differently than typical children) ASD, PDD, adhd-c with visual spatial /motor deficit, Bipolar/cyclic mood disorder, Developmental coordination disorder, Sensory disorder, hyper mobility syndrome in the upper body (currently testing for regression physically and mentally in areas at Kennedy Krieger.
Just ONE of those diagnoses would be hard for an adult to handle, must less a child! Yet Gracie deals with it each and every day. It isn't always easy but she tries to smile every chance she gets... and she is hoping to get some help to cope!
T.Rex (Gracie loves dinosaurs, so when he came into rescue and we knew this was possible, we changed his name to Rex... T.Rex!) is a 4 year old German Shepard who came into the rescue program from an owner surrender due to Covid. Although his family loved him very much, it was not possible for him to stay. He is AMAZING with kids and as he went through testing milestones... we knew he was going to be magic! Little did he know... he was destined to help this little girl with a huge heart!
When T.Rex and Gracie met... it was love at first sight! AND LOTS OF GIGGLES! Gracie told Rex to sit... and he did... RIGHT ON HER LAP! From there, they have been great friends!
Gracie and Rex have had a few weeks of work sessions together to make sure the compatibility is there... and let us tell you... it is UNWAVERING! Rex was able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Gracie and her family and "it was like he has been here forever". Rex fit right in, even alerting Mom and Dad to a bee sting of Gracie's brother Mikey!
Being military service members, Gracie's family is dedicated to her and to this process. Gracie's mom Peggy is a Navy veteran and her father Charlie is still currently serving in the Navy. They have taught their children that dedication, consistency and hard work will help get them through life's struggles and this translates FANTASTICALLY to our service dog training program as well! With this drive to do well and a wonderful support structure, we KNOW that Gracie and Rex are going to be a dynamite team!
Unfortunately, Pediatric Service Dogs require extensive training which can be costly. Helping Hounds Project helps to raise money to cover the cost of these dogs to make pairing like this possible. The full cost to train, vet, care for during training, feed and outfit T. Rex is well over $30K. Through our affiliations with local veterinarians and training partners, we have secured quite a few discounts already, but we need YOUR help to raise the funds. We will be uploading veterinarian costs, training costs and so on so that everyone can see what it will take to make this dream a reality for Gracie! Thank you for your support!
Please remember that Helping Hounds Project is a registered 501-C3 non profit and any donations are tax deductible. A tax donation receipt is available upon request! Thank you so much!
Gracie age 9, has been diagnosed with Epilepsy & convulsions, Encephalopathy (The brain and nervous system are considered to develop differently than typical children) ASD, PDD, adhd-c with visual spatial /motor deficit, Bipolar/cyclic mood disorder, Developmental coordination disorder, Sensory disorder, hyper mobility syndrome in the upper body (currently testing for regression physically and mentally in areas at Kennedy Krieger.
Just ONE of those diagnoses would be hard for an adult to handle, must less a child! Yet Gracie deals with it each and every day. It isn't always easy but she tries to smile every chance she gets... and she is hoping to get some help to cope!
T.Rex (Gracie loves dinosaurs, so when he came into rescue and we knew this was possible, we changed his name to Rex... T.Rex!) is a 4 year old German Shepard who came into the rescue program from an owner surrender due to Covid. Although his family loved him very much, it was not possible for him to stay. He is AMAZING with kids and as he went through testing milestones... we knew he was going to be magic! Little did he know... he was destined to help this little girl with a huge heart!
When T.Rex and Gracie met... it was love at first sight! AND LOTS OF GIGGLES! Gracie told Rex to sit... and he did... RIGHT ON HER LAP! From there, they have been great friends!
Gracie and Rex have had a few weeks of work sessions together to make sure the compatibility is there... and let us tell you... it is UNWAVERING! Rex was able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with Gracie and her family and "it was like he has been here forever". Rex fit right in, even alerting Mom and Dad to a bee sting of Gracie's brother Mikey!
Being military service members, Gracie's family is dedicated to her and to this process. Gracie's mom Peggy is a Navy veteran and her father Charlie is still currently serving in the Navy. They have taught their children that dedication, consistency and hard work will help get them through life's struggles and this translates FANTASTICALLY to our service dog training program as well! With this drive to do well and a wonderful support structure, we KNOW that Gracie and Rex are going to be a dynamite team!
Unfortunately, Pediatric Service Dogs require extensive training which can be costly. Helping Hounds Project helps to raise money to cover the cost of these dogs to make pairing like this possible. The full cost to train, vet, care for during training, feed and outfit T. Rex is well over $30K. Through our affiliations with local veterinarians and training partners, we have secured quite a few discounts already, but we need YOUR help to raise the funds. We will be uploading veterinarian costs, training costs and so on so that everyone can see what it will take to make this dream a reality for Gracie! Thank you for your support!
Please remember that Helping Hounds Project is a registered 501-C3 non profit and any donations are tax deductible. A tax donation receipt is available upon request! Thank you so much!