All For Caitlin: And Introducing....

Saturday, January 16, 2010

And Introducing....

Amos!

He is a cute little papillon, 1 1/2 years old, specially trained to help Caitlin.

We can't wait to go down and meet him. Make sure you check regularly during the week of Jan 24-Feb 6 as we will update with photos and stories from our "people" training.

So far, Amos has undergone 500 hours of training to be certified! He sounds like he is one smart cookie and we are so excited for Caitlin to meet her new best friend!

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About Caitlin

4 year old Caitlin suffers from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a non-curable disease that causes tumors to grow in major body organs. She has several brain tumors that cause a severe, difficult to control seizure disorder. Due to the stress this puts on her little nervous system, "Caitibug" also has a sensory processing disorder. Stress & excitement cause over stimulation in Caitlin--which in turn cause more frequent seizures. Since being diagnosed, her seizures have continued to increase in severity as well as frequency, despite being on 4 medications. A day of 6 seizures is considered a very good day for her. There have been days with 24-30 seizures. At this time, it is difficult to even go to the grocery store, let alone playdates and preschool. Due to the frequency & intensity of seizures during a period in 2009, Caitlin was recently also diagnosed with static encephalopathy which has led to a diagnosis of autism as well.

Caitlin has been approved for a seizure assistance dog. This dog will hopefully allow Caitlin relief with her anxiety & over-stimulation, along with giving us a peace of mind in alarming us, & hopefully someday detecting, Caitlin's seizures. The dog should help calm Caitlin in stressful situations, easing the burden on her nervous system.

The organization we are planning to work with can be found at www.4pawsforability.org. The dog will be especially trained for Caitlin's seizure & sensory needs. Each family has a fundraising requirement in order to be placed with a dog. Our requirement was $11,000. Thank you so much to everyone that found it within their hearts to donate! Because of you, we have met our goal.

Donation Information

We learned about a little boy that desperately needs a service dog. His family is now in the process of fundraising to help make 2 1/2 year old Andrew's life better by going through 4 Paws For Ability as well. It would honor us if you would turn the love and support you have given our family into a blessing for Andrew as well. Remember no donation is too small!
Please visit http://www.andrewshope.blogspot.com/ to learn about this very special little boy. Thanks so much!

4 Paws For Ability specializes in training service dogs for children wth special needs and has a very high success rate. We encourage you to visit their site at http://www.4pawsforability.org/ to learn all you can about them.

Don't forget that 4 Paws For Ability is a 501 (C) Non-Profit Agency and all donations are tax deductible.

"Caitibug Hugs" to the following donors:

Don Woolman, Brandy Fishback, Shelly Hansen, Heather Grisso, Rebecca Weldy, Todd Russell, Uncle Otis and Aunt Edith, Nana & Papa, Uncle Albert, Jerry Taylor, Rob Pollard, Lauren Orella, Kat Sorenson, Barb Peryam, Carol L. Johnson,
Angie Washington, Celeste Grimm, Lynn Bywater, Madonna Brady, Margaret May, Pamela Fuger, Gerri Ax, Rebecca Mirigliano, Kathy Zeitz, Betsy Cline, Petra Hall ,Shelly Frank, Shane Sattler, The Meijer Family, The Lester Family, The Burress Family, Laurie Racenet, Debi Isel, Allison Paddock Worthy, Garrett & Lynelle Van Eck, Michael & Brenda Nordrum, The Pershell Family, The Cooper Family, The Koster Family, The Bryson Family, Jennifer Holcomb, Korey & Olivia Holland, Anne Holder, Linda Giani, Marion Sands, Alison Atamian, Heidi, Lisa & Marc Milkovich, Caroline Millar, Janie Smith, Bearhug Creations, The Bianchi Family, R & R Productions DJ Services, Scenic Candles, Susan Conner, Pixiedust Scentsations, Brenda Bergen, Christina Gamet, Alex Owre, Konrad Schruf, Patricia Ayer, Palmer Dairy Queen DQ Grill & Chill, Jennifer Green, Tummies & Tots, Passumpsic Community Baptist Church, Wes Ward Auto, Tim's Deli, Lyndon Town School, Damon Lodge No. 16 Knights of Pythias, Danville Women's Club, Danville Boy Scout Troop 888, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital Staff, EHV Weidman Employees, St. Johnsbury Academy Class of '57, The Murphy Family, Warren Penniman, Alma Briggs, Molly Newall, Bette Eaton Bossen, Thomas Ingram, Ruth Allard, Lillian Tatro, Lloyd and Laurie Wheeler, Arnie & Winona Gadapee, Janice Wakeham, Gerry & Karen Aldredge, Louise Swainbank, Janet Carson, Austin & Barbara Enos, Craig & Colleen Racenet & Family, Dan Carleton, The Anderson Family, The Orrell Family, Snowshoe Elementary Students, Staff & Parents, Brenda Johanson, The Koecher Family, Sally Johnson, Wasilla Dental Center, Celeste Bond, The wonderful family of Gladheart Acres, Denise & Nonessentials, Country Cutts, Shelley Wurdeman, Goose Bay Elementary PTA, The Gaines Family, The Price Family, The Lawhead Family, Leah Krueger, Amie Jacobs, The Mayer Family, Brittanii Ratcliffe, The McGovern Family, The Pitcher Family, The Davenport Family, The Curren Family, Valorie Hearn and all of her wonderful Co-Workers in Texas, The amazing anonymous donors of the Daily Kos, Gillian Wright, The Grisso Family, The Hogge Family, The Millard Family, Leigh Lutich, Mandy Hansen, Tina Stambaugh, Melissa Laggis Photography, Goosebay Elementary Staff & Students, Sharon Severson, Angela & Stick With Me Vinyl, Mike's Quality Meats, Dimond Costco, Sharon Severson, Danville Community Church, The McMahon's, Pom Pom, Cranberry Cottage, Mommie of 4 Munchkins, Stampin' Moose, Valley Quilter's Guild, Talya Johnson, Kimberly Steele, Tiffany Erickson, all of the wonderful volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, The St Patricks Catholic Church Wednesday Bible Study Group, BP, Aerometric US, The students of Academy Charter School, The students of Twindly Bridge Charter School, Alaska Avalanche, Sun Valley Sewing, Kendall Ford, The Grisso Family, The Walsh Family, Deb Hamilton, Kerrie Theroux, Dennis & Lynn Debold, Lake Louise Lodge, Pizazz Fiber Arts, Alaska Railroad, Bobbie & Artique, Ltd, Leola Rutherford, The Frontiersman, Valley Radio, KTUU & Mike Ross, Rachel Gaines, Mayberry Photography Studio, Denali Dreams, Moon Sister Studio, B. Bella's Hair Studio, Hatcher Pass Polaris, Tina Stambaugh, Vagabond Blues, Three Bears, Taco-Loco, Shoprite, Larson Chiropractic, Fireside Books, Mary & Just Imagine Toys, Learning Essentials, Candie Couture, Heatsource Mechanical, Ivy, Pandemonium Books, Shimeks,
The Wonderful Community of Daily KOS
&
All of the Curvettes that shall be nameless for now,
but I will catch up with each of you to thank you
individually!

There are so many more to thank--we are working on this list and working on writing individual thank you notes. Please accept our sincere thanks and know that we will get to each and every one of you, but we thank you for your patience as we continue to put attention to Caitlin first. Thank You!

All For Caitlin