Less than two months ago, Saline Journal reported on 3½-year-old Danielle Sharp and her need for a trained service dog. [1]
Born with gastroschisis, she depends on medical equipment that a service dog could carry for her and help monitor for proper functioning. Training “Cinder,” a Dalmation, was to come at a cost of $14,000. As of January 30, a total of $3,670 had been raised through the a Go Fund Me page setup by the family. [2]
As of this week, total financing is in place — and Cinder is at K9 Heights Dog Training in Metro Detroit. [3]
Within days of sharing this story here, almost $2,000 had come in through Go Fund Me. An additional combined total of almost $500 followed from Rotary Club of Saline and our local Lions Club. On February 20, Mancino’s Pizza and Grinders donated 20% of all orders placed that evening, which added another $400 to the cause. [4,5,6]
The final stretch was completed through a local fundraiser dinner held last Saturday at First United Methodist Church – Saline. Between attendee donations and auction items, this event netted about $4,600.
Bill Smith was one of those in attendance that night. As Senior Loan Officer at MB Financial Bank and a current member of Saline Area Chamber of Commerce leadership, he offered the following perspective on the special appeal of this cause.
“As you know, the Sharps have been long time supporters of the Saline community, and have given back in many, many ways,” he told Saline Journal.
“They knew Danielle was going to have many health challenges and still felt the Lord leading them to continue down the path of adoption. I believe God placed that precious child into the care of Brooke and Dave, knowing they had the health background, skills and understanding to best care for Danielle and give her the best opportunity at a full and complete childhood right on into adulthood.
“So, watching this amazing adoption love story unfold is why I personally strongly support this precious girl and her dog.”
Dr Brooke Sharp felt it was additionally important to share this story as a way to help open eyes to what service dogs can do. “After reading the (January) article, many people told me they had no idea what dogs could be trained to do,” she said.
She and her family are “beyond moved” by the outpouring of love and support they have received from the Saline community. “We couldn’t have done this without all of that.”
As for Danielle Sharp, she simply misses Cinder, who left for K9 Heights on March 6. Dr Sharp has explained that the “puppy is at school, learning to help you,” and that must suffice.
References
- “Your Help Is Needed to Train a Service Dog for Local Saline Child” Janet Deaton (January 30, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Danielle’s Service Dog” Brooke Sharp (September 7, 2017) Go Fund Me.
- K9 Heights Dog Training (home page).
- Rotary Club of Saline (home page).
- Saline Lions Club (home page).
- “Mancino’s Night-Danielle’s Service Dog” (Facebook Event).
