Finally – Some Good News

Sisters and Brothers, I know you remember Brother Cutler and me standing in front of you and saying that we either wanted to purchase a Service Dog or pay off the balance of a Service Dog for a North Carolina family.  Sister Ellen, Brother Mike  and I stood before you and said that we were “pooling” our money so we could purchase a dog. 

After many calls and emails to Highland Canine Training LLC in Harmony, North Carolina, we have been informed of four families who could use some  assistance in getting their service dogs.  An adult with a catastrophic disability and three children (ages 4 ½, 8, and 11)  suffering from Autism.  The process of getting a service dog  is long and very involved.  The family makes an application and submits an initial payment.  The staff visits the family, makes a thorough assessment of their needs and works diligently in finding just the right dog. The family must pay half of the cost of the dog when the dog is matched with the special needs adult/child.  The second half of the cost of the dog must be paid upon delivery of the animal.  Many months go into training these special animals including working with the families and the dogs together.  The timeframe is twelve to eighteen months from the date of application until delivery.

Sister Ellen and I visited the facility yesterday.  We could barely contain our excitement.  We met some of the trainers  and interns. It was an awesome day!  But the most exciting part was meeting some of the dogs that are being trained.  This facility trains dogs for many kinds of situations and special needs.  Their enthusiasm for their work is contagious!

Sisters and Brothers, because of your generous support of the Service Dog  projects, we have decided to pay off the balance of not one dog but all four dogs.  Four North Carolina families will have a wonderful Christmas surprise!!    We plan to deliver the check to the facility in November.  I have been told that we can get some pictures at that time.  Hopefully, we will have one of the families and their dog as our guests at our Grand Chapter Session in June.

Sister Susan Jackson, GGCCM, US Chmn Service Dogs, PGM and Chairman of Service Dogs for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 has been informed of this decision.  She will be adding this important news to her report for General Grand Chapter.  As you will remember, once we voted to make Service Dogs one of our identifying charities, it became necessary to appoint a committee to administer the funds.  Sister Ellen’s year marks the end of the time when the Worthy Grand Matron can make this decision.  Sister Ellen, Brother Mike and I thank you for your confidence in us and for your generous support!  Keep it up!  You make miracles happen.

We love you all!