Devyn was born with a rare genetic condition that impacts her ability to speak and causes life threatening seizures. At the tender of age of 3, her medical team prescribed a service dog to help alert caregivers when she needed medical assistance, to improve her mobility, decrease her chances of eloping, and to provide her a sense of comfort and protection when she was recovering from a seizure or emotional upset.
While Devyn’s original school district did not deny the value of her service dog, they decided to change their policy when Devyn transitioned from preschool to kindergarten and no longer permitted their staff to assist Devyn in using her service dog at school. The NYS Dept of Education and the US Dept of Justice sided with Devyn. After an 8 year federal court battle, Devyn’s case finally settled this past August! This was a VICTORY FOR ALL CHILDREN who require accommodations at school, especially those with service dogs.
While on cloud nine, that they had finally set the legal precedent for the US, Devyn and her family learned that service dog, Rubin, had suffered a serious, potentially career ending injury. Rubin’s bowed legs may have contributed to why it happened, but no one is quite sure what happened. Suddenly, Rubin was showing signs of significant pain and was having trouble walking. Numerous specialists were sought out, only to find that he had blown out both of his hind knees, and surgical repair was his only chance at any quality of life.
A local surgeon was highly recommended and knowing the importance of this pup, squeezed Rubin into her schedule at the beginning of October. While Devyn’s family knew this surgery would bear a cost, the actual bills related to the medical care, medications, and rehab, were much higher than anticipated totaling over $10,000! The family was able to use a zero percent interest care account to pay for some of the costs, but that grace period ends in April and the balance will be due. As a family with four children that have varying levels of special needs, they do their best to stay on top of things and not overextend themselves. While this unexpected expense was necessary, it is not easily absorbed.
Devyn and Rubin’s story will soon be highlighted in a book about the Puppies for Parole Program (which is where Rubin started his training). Rubin graduated from the Paws & Effect Service Dog Agency in December 2017 at the age of one.
Please click here for a post the US DOJ recently posted about this landmark case: https://www.justice.gov/opa/blog/furthering-promise-increasing-opportunities-education
Rubin will be turning 4 this December. He has a lot of years ahead of him and we hope that he can return to work, but realize that this kind of injury may impede his ability to perform all of his necessary duties. As all parents of children with special needs need to do, Devyn’s family needs to plan for the worst case scenario and also start raising funds that could be used for a successor service dog when one becomes needed. Devyn misses having her pup by her side at school during this long recovery ahead of him. Helping offset the financial burdens related to all of this would mean so much.
For updates on our story and Rubin’s progress, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/dogfordevyn
Family and friends of Devyn Pereira are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with Catastrophic Illness.
Devyn has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
