Chip

It has been forever since we have blogged about Cooper's Dog...Were does the time go? We are not sure if anyone follows this blog anymore, but just in case we want everyone to know that Cooper will not be getting Kona. Through blood work, Angel Service Dogs discovered that Kona has 10% Pit Bull in him. While Pit Bulls can be wonderful dogs they can not be certified Service Dogs, and insurance companies will not insure them. Kona is still doing what he loves, but has become a drug sniffing dog rather then a food allergy alert dog.
About a month ago we found out that Cooper will be getting and Australian Labradoodle named Chip. We are so excited and can't wait to bring him home! Love you Chip!

Thank you to the Henry Bull Foundation who donated the last $2,500 for Cooper's Dog. We are so thankful for you, and for everyone who helped us reach our goal. We never expected that in 5 short months we would be were we are today. Because of YOU Cooper will live a safer life, and have more freedom. He will have the opportunity to go to school, and have a guardian angel by his side when we can not.

As his mother I can not tell you how over joyed and overwhelmed my heart is. I am still in disbelief. I am so incredibly thankful. During this journey, I learned a very important thing..To always, always, always help those in need no matter how big or small. From the bottom of our hearts THANK YOU for your help, love, support and advice!! We will be traveling to Colorado in June or July for a mandatory two week training session with Kona (the dog) and the trainers. Please continue to visit our blog so we can share this event with you!

BENEFIT BBQ FOR COOPER'S SERVICE DOG

Please help us support Cooper's last fundraising event (we hope) on:

Saturday, January 30,2010- Time 11:00am to 3:00pm
Lutheran Church of Our Savior
4725 South Bradley, Orcutt, CA 93455
Lunch: Tri-Tip Sandwich, Chips & Soda
DONATION: $7.00
There will also be free snow for the children to play in!

A special thanks to a wonderful girl named Jordyn who dedicated her entire birthday party to Cooper, to help raise money for his dog. What makes Jordyn so remarkable is that she chose to help Cooper after being touched by his story, and she never even knew him. She came up with the idea of a party dedicated to Cooper, in which she sent out birthday invitations to all of her friends, requesting that they not bring a birthday gift, but rather use the money as a donation towards Coopers Dog. We have been amazed throughout the process of raising funds for Cooper’s Dog, but few things have touched our hearts like the generosity of Jordyn, her family and friends. There is not a lot that we can say except, thank you for being as special as you are, and for caring about our son. We can’t wait until you meet his dog one day!

The children of Bishops Peak Elementary in San Luis Obispo, work really hard each year to recycle cans and bottles to raise money. Each year, they take the earnings from the recycled goods and donate it to a child in need. We were invited by Mrs. Bridget, Founder of Jack's Helping Hand and 5Th grade teacher as guest for a special ceremony. We were amazed when the school, and Jack's Helping Hand presented Cooper with a five thousand dollar check for all our traveleing expensise. When the dog completes his training, we have to spend two manidtory weeks in Colorado to train with the dog. With car rental, gas, and hotel this can be quite expensive, and we were not sure how we were doing to do it.

Today we were blessed again, and are so thankful for Bishop Peak Elementary and Jacks Helping Hand!

Update on Cooper's Dog

For the past month I’ve wanted to post an update about Cooper’s dog, but haven’t been able to because of school, being a mom,writing thank you cards, and responding to foundations that want to help. We have been invited to talk on The Dave Congalton show to raise awareness about food allergies, but not sure I will have the time to accept the invitation. I am limited to who can care for Cooper, and who I can trust when things like this arise. Having said this, those of you who care for Cooper when I am in need, I am very thankful for you, and you are very special to me.

About a month ago we raised a total of $5,000. Everyone who’s following Coopers Journey knows what a big deal this was for us. This was the big day, which we have all been waiting for… Cooper’s dog can now begin training! Many of you expressed your happiness and excitement for Cooper with our family and it was so special. I am thankful for all of you! As for me I cried, I shouted with joy, I thanked god for all the wonderful people who helped us get here, and I hugged my son with all my might.

We know many of you are anxiously waiting for an update on Cooper’s dog, and so are we! The process is not simple. Dogs are like humans, some are able to do things that others are not. There is very little that we know about Cooper’s dog, except that he will be an Australian Labradoddle. Angel Service Dogs has to follow certain regulation when training a dog to become a service dog. First is obedience. The dog has to act on command: Sit, down, stay, walk easily, no signs of aggression, recall, sit in public places and so on. Once he passes that and earns his certificate, he must be able to detect a peanut from a building, vehicle, or luggage in five minutes or less to become "peanut" certified. From there he needs to be able to “stack” which means, he needs to pick up the scent of cashews, get certified, pecans, get certified, walnuts get certified, and so on until he meets Coopers needs, and with the same regulations as a peanut. Some dogs will be able to do this, and some will not. This is why we won’t know which dog will be Coopers until we get “the phone call”. Trust me, it is hard. I want to post pictures, I want to tell you his name, and how he is progressing but I can’t. All I know, is we are hoping to get Cooper’s dog in about six months. This will allow Cooper and the dog to become familiar with each other before Cooper starts kindergarten. (Which by the way, these dogs have been detecting peanuts from “peanut free tables”. Just as an FYI to parents of peanut/nut allergic children.)

Our family is rooting for Ranger. He is a beautiful, brown Australian Labradoodle that is simply adorable. He’s about a year old, and is in training to become peanut certified. He aired on the today show and is working hard, to meet the needs of a child, we are just hoping that child is Cooper! I promise to keep you updated as often as I can, and again thank all of you for your support! http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/33825344#33825344

One Step Closer

It is very exciting to report that we have just sent the deposit for Cooper’s Allergy Detection Dog to Angel Service Dogs today! Now the training process will begin.
Just to make that statement is the realization of a dream we thought to be so distant just a couple months ago. We cannot say how enormously thankful we are for the contributions that have gotten us to this point.
As we move forward from here we will be in a position to keep everyone informed as to the status of Cooper’s dog and where it is in the training process.
It is impossible to put to words the joy and excitement we feel to know that we are getting so close to obtaining a companion for Cooper that will protect him and bring peace of mind to our family.
We still have a distance to cover, however with this milestone reached the finish line seems more obtainable than ever!