Support wanted to help 9 year old acquire seizure-detecting service dog

Raheem was born six weeks early with hydrocephalus. He has several medical conditions that require him to be in special education one on one. Raheem is one of the most sweetest, loving, kind, caring and genuine 9 year olds you will ever meet. He brings not only a smile to those around him but so much joy and more. He is a very curious and observant little fellow, that likes to show affection by hugging and kissing. One of his favorite sayings is “I Love You”!

He loves to play with his tablet and his trucks.  He enjoys watching cartoons, whereas his favorite is Paw Patrol & PJ Masks.

Due to multiple seizures, he has had to be medevac and ground transported to multiple hospitals where he has had to stay for several days to weeks. Through it all, he always remains joyful and full of life.  He does not make any pituitary gland hormones; therefore, he is considered a pituitary dwarf.  He also has had problems with hypoglycemia, contractures of joints and global developmental delay as well as sleep apnea. He sees many specialists: Endocrinologist, Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Ophthalmologist, ENT, Orthopedic, Pulmonologist, Cardiologist, Genetics and Gastroenterology.

After speaking with my wonderful team of specialist, teachers, doctors, rem nurse and family, we think that a service dog will help Raheem become more successful and reach his full potential.  With his service dog, we believe he can become more independent and will help with the many difficulties he may face in the future.

Having a “buddy” on his side will also help his teachers and school facilitators react quicker knowing that he is soon to have a medical emergency due to his several different type of seizures.

It takes lots of expertise, money and time to train a service “buddy” to work with Raheem. We are working with 4 Paws for Ability, Inc., from birth through the extended amount of training.  The cost of a Multipurpose Service Dog for him is at least $40,000.  We are committed to raising $17,000.

With 4 Paws for Ability, Inc., a service dog will be trained to help with behavior disruption. However, the most important part of this training will be Scent/Seizure training that will allow those around him to know of a potential seizure he may have.  I think having this service dog would be a special and a wonderful asset to him reaching some independence. We would appreciate your support in this strive for his service buddy.

Thank you for your support, the link is at

https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/loisisha-redding/raheemredding

Raheem, Jayden, Jade and Rondell Redding

— Rondell Redding is an officer with the Princess Anne Police Department, and earlier this summer he was named Maryland’s Top Cop by the Maryland Municipal League’s Police Executive Association.