4 PAWS for Morgan

Help Morgan get her needed service dog!

We are raising money for 4 Paws for Ability, Inc. to help them provide service dogs for children worldwide, including our daughter Morgan!

Morgan is 6 years old who loves to swim, play outside, and loves playing with children and animals.  She is very social, and she has a great sense of humor.  Morgan was in gymnastics and recently had to quit, which broke her heart, because she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome Hypermobility Type III.

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited disorders that affect connective tissues — primarily skin, joints, and blood vessel walls.  Connective tissue is a complex mixture of proteins and other substances that provides strength and elasticity to the underlying structures in your body.

People who have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome usually have overly flexible joints and stretchy, fragile skin.  This can become a problem if she gets a wound that requires stitches, because her skin often isn't strong enough to hold them, and her skin may develop prominent scarring.  She has overly flexible joints which could result in joint dislocations, early-onset arthritis, chronic degenerative joint disease, muscle pain, and frequent tearing of tendons or muscles.  Morgan is living with wide spread pain on a daily basis.  She also has other side effects such as insomnia, sensory disorders, migraines, allergies, and gastric reflux.

While there is no cure for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, there is treatment for symptoms, and there are preventative measures that are helpful for most.  Morgan participates in Physical and Occupational Therapy to help strengthen her muscles to support her joints.

Follow her journey:

https://www.facebook.com/4PAWSforMORGAN/ 

Please LIKE and SHARE her page to help spread awareness of EDS!  

Morgan has been accepted by 4 PAWS for Ability in Xenia Ohio to receive Service dog to help with:

Mobility Assistance – Increase independence when she has trouble standing and/or balancing. Can provide her with stability while walking to prevent falls and injuries, and could help her up if she falls.  Can also help with tasks such as retrieving dropped items, opening doors, and barking for help when needed. 

Her story on 4 PAWS for Ability website: 

http://4pawsforability.org/morgan-yoder/  

Do not forget to LIKE and SHARE this page to raise awareness for 4 PAWS for Ability!

You can also donate directly on 4 PAWS website with this link!

Costs for Service Dogs

At 4 Paws for Ability it costs at least $34,000 to train and place a service dog with a disabled child.

Through partial payment for service model, families can pay or engage in fundraising activities to cover the fee.

The fee for a service dog is $17,000.

Upon completion of training, 4 Paws service dogs are required to be re-certified annually with 4 Paws to maintain their skills and public access proficiency.

It costs about $1,500 – $2,000 to maintain a service dog each year…about $100 a month.

This link will take you to some videos that show the incredible work 4 Paws does:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Roc-Y1O5h1E&list=PLaijbfDpD8qE59iu4VH1yN-WKJNmrXceu

We have begun fundraising so we can get a service dog from the wonderful organization, 4 Paws for Ability in Ohio.

Meet 4 Paws For Ability:

4 Paws for Ability is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization whose mission is to place quality service dogs with children with disabilities and veterans who have lost use of limbs or hearing; help with animal rescue, and educate the public regarding use of service dogs in public places.

Their primary goals include:

•Providing as many children as possible, within the scope of their ability to serve, and with disabilities falling under the definition of such in the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 with access to a qualified service dog trained specifically for their needs, with no minimum age, and regardless of the severity of the disability

•Increasing public awareness of the laws regarding service animals and the value they provide their owners.

To learn more about this amazing organization who has provided hundreds of disabled children and their families with great hope, safety and companionship, please check out their website at www.4pawsforability.org.

PLEASE HELP:

Please help us raise funds for 4 Paws for Ability. Morgan and the other children they serve have so much potential, but they need our help!

Thank you for your support!!!

Christina Yoder

Many thanks for your support! PLEASE do not forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!