April 27, 2023

For those that want to download flyers and other resources on fundraising, I am loading them all on Google Docs

drive.google.com

I will add more as they become available. Stay tuned for more updates as well!

March 24, 2023

FAQs

*What tasks will the new service dog be trained for?

Stryder’s new service dog will be trained to alert to seizures, help pick up items off the ground, especially when he is in his wheelchair, and open doors. We are also looking for additional training to detect vitals that are either high or low, such as blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen. These tasks are some that Keebler is able to do and we hope he will train the new service dog to master those tasks the same way he has, but of course, the new dog will have training first.

*Why can’t your train a puppy yourself or with another organization?

Due to medical limitations, neither Stryder nor his mom has the time or ability to train a new service dog. Also, it takes at least two years and the dogs at Dulebohn Service Dogs have already started with the basic training. Last, Stryder has many medical needs that most places cannot train. We have reached out to every organization that people have offered and none has said they can train to his needs. We need a dog that can do Keebler’s tasks and more. Jeremy, at Dulebohn Service Dogs, helped train Keebler and has agreed to work with us on tasks beyond seizure alert. We are hoping Keebler will help the new dog learn tasks such as blood pressure rising and lowering, oxygen rates, and more. Jeremy will choose a dog that has natural abilities and train it to alert to various things and also pick up items for Stryder while he is in his wheelchair.

*What happens if extra money comes in?

Any extra funds that come in as a result of your efforts support other medical funds that may come up. Help Hope Live donations are applied directly to medical costs, including the new service dog.

*How much money do we have to pay/raise?

Our contract states it will be $16,000 for the dog and then we will need funds for travel to “learn how to use the dog.” We are looking to raise $22,000 for travel and the new service dog.

*How long does it take to get a service dog?

There is a period of time between the completion of fundraising or payment of the fee for service and placement. This time frame can be at least 2 years, as the dog must be bred, raised, and trained.

*Why does it cost so much?

A large majority of service dog agencies list their dogs as “no cost to the recipient,” which is often taken to mean “free.” However, service dogs are not free. The agency placing the dogs, “at no cost to the recipient” has received donations for the funding of the dog placement. In other words, someone other than the recipient paid for the training of his or her dog.

These agencies have a person, or a small number of people, doing the fundraising. They are able to raise funds and the amount of dogs placed is limited to the fundraising they are able to complete on behalf of the organization. This is part of the reason service dog organizations that place service dogs with children tend to have very long wait lists – an average of five to ten years, some even higher! Some agencies aren’t even accepting applications, as their waitlist will keep them busy for the foreseeable future.

The partial payment-for-service model allows us to expand our fundraising reach. More fundraising is done in less time to more potential donors.

March 19, 2023

We are in the process of making Stryder's website that will house FAQs, events, fundraising ideas, and more.

If you would like to help us or have any ideas, please message angela@StrydersStory.com