Family and friends of Lee Atherton are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with purchasing, raising, and training a service dog.
Shadow, my five-year-old canine service dog, work partner, and faithful companion, has terminal cancer. Although we know his passing is only months away, I have been given an incredible gift of the time we have left. Not a day goes by without extra snuggles and much gratitude for all he has meant to me, and to the many others he has served in his capacity as a crisis comfort dog. It has been a powerful reminder to never take him for granted.
After my brother died and I experienced a traumatic abandonment that left me with significant PTSD and the inability to work for two years, little did I know that Shadow and his training would literally save my life. He continues to catch me at times when I begin to slide down that ugly slope toward debilitating anxiety. When he’s not serving me directly, he has taken his intuitive compassion to the world of Crisis Response, where he has helped first responders and victims in crisis. He is an important part of my life and of my end-of-life ministry. It will be hard to say goodbye.
Watch our video here: Meet Lee and Shadow
Shadow has filled a deep need for me and others and has shown the power a fully trained service dog can have. My dream is to have another fully trained lab to follow in his footsteps and I’m happy to share that we are well on our way.
Our trainer told us that it would be best to get Shadow’s successor puppy soon so that he (or she) can spend time with and learn from Shadow. And so, I am embarking on the search. Because of the extent of training and testing the puppy will undergo to be a successful service dog, we must be very selective about a new puppy. The more I research and learn, the more I realize how incredibly fortunate I am to have had Shadow by my side. God was surely helping!
In March, I shared with my team of support, that Shadow’s participation in a clinical trial at Tufts University gifted us a few more precious months with him as he was declared in remission. They have said that the cancer will return, and when it does it will be “with a vengeance.” But for now, we continue to savor every day that we get to enjoy our “Li’l man.”
Since Shadow’s diagnosis in November of 2022, much has happened. In March of this year, with generous donations at the time, I was able to purchase Shadow’s successor, Phoenix Rising. This is so bitter-sweet. I keep hoping that all the good stuff Shadow will rub off on his little buddy. They get along wonderfully well.
Phoenix began training the day he came home and is doing really well! I am amazed at his temperament and ability to learn ever so quickly!
Your donation of any amount would mean so much to me.
Service Dog Training and Certification – upwards of $25,000
Lee 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!
