VIP Service Dog Foundation

Alex & Bruiser (Stormy)

My son, Alexander, has the great fortune of having been matched with two service dogs in the past nine years, both through VIP Service Dog Foundation. His first dog, Stormy, was a steadfast companion who helped Alex stay calm in stressful situations and served as his “right hand man” in countless settings, from swim lessons to restaurant outings and Special Olympics events. After Stormy’s passing, we knew we wanted to fill the void and find a new pup to help Alex with his day-to-day challenges. We reached out to VIP and were matched with our current dog, Bruiser, a St. Bernadoodle pup who is a big boy with an even bigger heart. Bruiser has served Alex well for the past year, providing a steadying influence both physically and emotionally. To anyone wanting to learn first-hand the benefits of owning and loving their own service dog, I think there is no better place than VIP to find a good match. Donna and the VIP board members are all knowledgeable and compassionate and, after initial placement and classes, offer their continued support. Two of the best decisions we ever made were contacting VIP.

Carol Schoder, Mother of Alex Kotas

Harald & Gander 2023

29 June, 2023

My name is Harald Rappold. I am the new owner of Gander, a 15 month old Black Lab - Companion Dog trained by the V.I.P. Service Dog Foundation of Hinckley, Illinois. I wanted to introduce myself to you and thank you for your very generous donation.

I am a Veteran of the U.S. Army. During that time I served as an Infantry Squad Leader, and as a Fire Team Leader on an Anti-Terrorist Team in (West) Germany during the Gulf War. While participating in a training exercise I severely injured my lower back, and I injured both of my knees as well. After 10 years of service, my career as an Infantryman in the U.S. Army had come to an end.

I was still driven by a desire to serve, so I then pursued a career in Law Enforcement. While I struggled with my injuries I still maintained a higher-than-average rate of self-initiated activity (arrests & traffic enforcement) while working Patrol.

I also served as our Department’s Crime Prevention Officer for a number of years, where I would coordinate, train, host, facilitate and/or assist with over 30 different Community Policing programs. Programs like DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) which I taught to nearly 10,000 kids during the course of my law enforcement career.

Later in my career, I served as a Detective, where I specialized in Crimes Against Children.

As my injuries became progressively worse, and my mobility was becoming more and more difficult, I decided to retire - after 28 years in Law Enforcement.

Throughout my Law Enforcement career I went through hundreds of hours of every type of physical therapy possible, used a variety of braces and compression wraps under my uniforms, and had countless injections in my spine and knees to try to alleviate, or at least manage the pain and avoid surgery, but surgery was inevitable.

During the last 10 years or so of my Law Enforcement career - and the year following - I underwent eight surgical procedures on my knees and lower back alone, ultimately resulting in having both of my knees replaced and my lumbar spine fused.

While my mobility had been hampered by my injuries, my desire to serve was still strong, and so, shortly after I retired from my Law Enforcement career... I became the Pastor of our Church!

It truly has been an honor for me to serve my Country, my Community, and now my Church, and while I have never pursued any of these vocations looking for reward, I have received recognition and awards for my efforts, but I have never received a gift like this!

Perhaps I am biased now, but Gander really does have the sweetest dispositions of any dog I have ever met, and he is incredibly well behaved for as young as he is. He has become my shadow – he follows me everywhere, I even take him to Church with me – and the congregation loves it!

Thank you again for this wonderful gift, it is sincerely appreciated, and he is a blessing not only to myself, but to my wife, my children, and my grandchildren as well.

Sincerely,

Harald

Sean Smith & Hawk 2024

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my deepest gratitude and share how my service dog has transformed my life, significantly improved my quality of life and helping me manage the symptoms of my PTSD.

Before being partnered with my service dog, daily life was a constant struggle. The symptoms of PTSD, including anxiety, nightmares, and hypervigilance, were overwhelming and often left me feeling isolated and hopeless. However, since welcoming my service dog into my life, everything has changed for the better.

My service dog, provided by VIP Service Dog Organization, has become an essential part of my life. Not only does my dog offer practical support in managing PTSD symptoms, such as alerting me to anxiety triggers and providing comfort during episodes of distress, but they also bring an immeasurable sense of companionship and stability. The simple presence of my service dog has allowed me to regain confidence, venture into public spaces with a sense of security, and rebuild relationships that were once strained by my condition.

I owe a profound debt of gratitude to Donna and the entire team at VIP Service Dog Organization. Their dedication and compassion in training and matching service dogs with individuals like me have been life-changing. Donna, in particular, gave me hope and a renewed sense of purpose when I needed it most. Her unwavering support and commitment to improving lives through these incredible animals is truly commendable.

Words cannot fully capture the positive impact my service dog has had on my life. They have not only helped alleviate the burdens of PTSD but have also brought joy, comfort, and a renewed zest for life. I am forever grateful for this gift and the second chance it has given me to live more fully.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting organizations like VIP Service Dog Organization that make such profound differences in people's lives.

Sincerely,

Sean Smith

Molly & Cubbie 2024

We are extremely grateful for the volunteers at VIP Service Dog Foundation for giving our autistic daughter a companion and friend of her own. Her dog, Cubbie, helps keep her calm, provides her with comfort, and helps her do activities around the house that are challenging. For example, she struggles with brushing her teeth but is able to do this if Cubbie brushes his teeth first. Watching him do daily activities (i. e.: walking, sitting nicely at restaurants, waiting, etc...) decreases her anxiety and makes things more fun. While he is her service dog and provides an essential service, he is her best friend and we are so thankful to have him as part of our family.

Thanks,

Molly

Madi Legutki & Ducky 2024

My VIP service dog has improved my life in so many ways. He really saved me. He brings me my medicine, picks up stuff for me, calms me down during a panic attack, and so much more. I’m finally able to go out and do normal things now that I have him. He’s the best thing that ever happened to me.

- Madi Legutki, 13years old

Katie Townsend-Barr

We are so thankful to V.I.P. for helping to make our family complete by providing us a devoted service dog for our son. He has struggled with many behaviors due to his autism spectrum disorder but we could not be more pleased with the changes we have seen since we have received our service dog placement a short time ago. They are a perfect forever team! Donna as well as our trainer have been incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. Their expertise is evident as well as their compassion for the individuals & families they serve. Since receiving our dog, it truly feels like a new world has been opened up to us!

Guinness and Gunner are doing great! Can't say enough about how much we ADORE Guinness. What a difference he has made in our world already! They are doing awesome! Gunner is sleeping thru the night for the first time in his ENTIRE life with Guinness by his side. Gunner says that Guinness "solves all his problems"

ZEE LACSON

In order to understand the impact that Hunter, my son’s VIP Service Dog, has had on my son, you first need to be introduced to what it’s like to BE my son.

Caden is my 10 year old son who has a rare condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) aka Brittle Bone Disorder. That means that his bones are so weak that they fracture under little stress. There is no known cure.

He came into the world at 31 1/2 weeks fighting for his life. He came very close to losing the fight once or twice. At 4 months, he was diagnosed and it was discovered that, at that point, he had already fractured both ankles, his right arm, his left leg and his ribs at different places. He goes on to have multiple fractures and surgery through the years. This past summer, he suffered multiple spinal compression fractures and has had to undergo painful, experimental treatment in an attempt to increase his bone density. He is currently preparing for another round of treatment.

At school, he continues to receive therapy and is assigned a one on one aid to keep him safe and provide assistance. His condition forces him to keep distance from his peers for safety reasons.
Caden and Hunter were matched almost 2 years ago. It was a difficult match to make because the dog that he needed had to be exceptionally gentle yet strong. VIP found the perfect dog and provided the circumstances to make everything work.
Now, Caden and Hunter are inseparable. They sleep together, eat together, go to school together and play together. They are very rarely apart and for that short amount of time, they are constantly looking for each other. Hunter carries to school the things that Caden can no longer bear on his spine. He retrieves items Caden drops in the event that Caden is wheelchair bound. He opens doors when Caden cannot. Not only has Hunter prevented Caden from falling and fracturing but he has given him a kind of independence that he has never known before. He walks confidently with one hand on his dog. He navigates through crowds without having to holding my hand. He walks, feeds, corrects and rewards his dog. Hunter has given him the ability to be more himself and not just the-kid-that-breaks-easily.
When he was a baby, I felt paralyzed with fear for what dangers he would have to face in the world. Now, I see the world open up a little more for him ... to make way for the dog at his side.
- 2014

This is one of our 1st placed dogs.

So proud of Hunter and Caden

Not quite the #10yearchallenge

9 years ago ...

While Caden continued to receive more surgeries, he is now independent. And Hunter is retired. Their partnership made so much possible.

The independence and level of care Caden received because of Hunter is unparalleled. Hunter has done so much more than just keep Caden safe. And he did that well. He was Caden's constant companion and gateway to socialization. He continues to be Caden's emotional watchdog. There would be so much kept out of his reach if it weren't for Hunter.

Today, Caden is a senior in HS. He is in a Culinary Arts program c/o College of Lake County and stronger than ever.

Hunter is eating a biscuit while we have our coffee and is enjoying a well earned retirement as a family pet without responsibilities.

They've both come so far.

9 years ago, I was worried they'd miss this opportunity. This restored my faith in humanity. And it's a good reminder when I feel that faith threatened.

There is good in the world. My son and his dog are proof of that.

https://www.facebook.com/652121036/posts/10160985740786037/

We've only had Samson 10 months and life as we know it has completely changed. He's more than a service dog, he's taken on the persona of an older brother. Day one (literally) my child wakes up sick and Samson is there. Apparently he doesn't do bodily fluids, but when I finished cleaning up I found him in the bed watching over my son . In that moment I knew he was the one.
Samson is extremely smart, patient, and kind, and Mason loves to be with him at all times- be it in the bathtub or on the kitchen floor. Subsequently, my son's language and communication skills have improved. I love to see them playing (something he has yet to do with other children) and spontaneously he begins to speak. In ten months Samson has accomplished the results six years of speech therapy had not. Whatever the future may bring, I know he'll be there watching over him. A friend and companion continually aiding him to independence.

Khasan G.