Tristan’s CP and Epilepsy mean it’s time for a Multi-Purpose Service Dog
By Christa Rentz. Meet our son Tristan. He is a four-year-old boy who is full of love and determination. When Tristan was only four months old he began to have numerous sudden “jerks.” After numerous tests we found out that Tristan’s quick “jerks” were seizures. Next thing we know his seizures increased and he was having 200-500 seizures in a 24-hour period.
His neurologist had never seen an infant go through what Tristan was going through. This lasted for 2 long months. Tristan was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Epilepsy. We finally had his seizures under control with medications, or so we thought.
In the past year Tristan has begun to have seizures again. We are unsure why. We have increased medicines and nothing is fully helping. Tristan’s type of seizures are also changing.
Since Tristan was an infant we have always slept with him. I am terrified he is going to have a seizure in his sleep and something tragic happen. This became a reality in March 2010. I woke up that morning in March while laying in bed with Tristan. He woke up and went straight into an absent seizure. This seizure lasted for 12 minutes. After being taken to the Emergency Room by ambulance his daddy and I decided it was time to contact 4 Paws for Ability, a nonprofit agency located in Xenia, Ohio.
Tristan has been given the opportunity to receive a Multi-Purpose Assistance Dog from 4 Paws for Ability. This dog will be trained for both mobility and to alert us before Tristan has a seizure. Tristan and his dog will become an inseparable team: Tristan’s Dream Team. Tristan’s dog will be trained just for Tristan. His dog will be able to smell the chemical change in Tristan’s body several minutes before the seizure occurs and he can then alert.
Having a mobility dog will help Tristan with opening doors and other numerous tasks while Tristan is in his wheelchair. Tristan’s 4 Paws dog will also aid in medical procedures, therapies, and most importantly, be there to comfort Tristan at all times.
Another undeniable benefit will be an added buffer between his disabilities and the awkwardness and uncertainty other children will feel about his situation. After talking with other 4 Paws families, we are assured that this will help bring interest and acceptance to his school years. And Tristan’s Dream Team will give his family peace of mind, help us to relax, and know that Tristan will be in good “paws” with his dog.
4 Paws for Ability is one of only a handful of organizations that will place a service dog with a young child. With your help, Tristan’s Dream Team can come true. Tristan will have his other teammate in less than a year after our fundraising is complete. 4 Paws for Ability asks us to work with them in the fundraising process as volunteers to raise $13,000 (half the cost of the dog). You can make a tax deductible donation to Tristan through 4 Paws for Ability.
Please send them a check or money order and include Tristan Bowling in the memo portion of the check. You can also help Tristan’s Dream Team come true by donating to 4Paws at their website. www.4pawsforablility.org and make sure to include Tristan’s full name. Thank you so much and look to see Tristan’s Dream Team together in the next year.
Thank you for your support and generosity, Christa Rentz and Chris Bowling.
Mail donations to:
4 Paws for Ability
253 Dayton Avenue
Xenia, Ohio 45385
You can also visit Tristan’s website at http://tristanshope.blogspot.com for updates, pictures and future fundraisers for Tristan’s Dream Team and his mission through life.
Note: I highly endorse 4 Paws for Ability as a source for extremely well-trained service dogs. The organization is sound and its goals exceptional. Judy Vorfeld.