Caiden's fundraiser for 4 Paws For Ability

In this season of giving, an anonymous donor has reached out with a matching donation to help a little boy get a life-saving service dog.

Caiden DiMeo is an adorable, loving, gentle, and energetic four-year-old boy with an incurable condition: intractable epilepsy.

More About Caiden

At 15 months old, his parents witnessed his first seizure. He lost consciousness, fell to the floor, eyes rolled to one side, and he wasn't responsive. After numerous seizures, medications, tests, procedures, brain surgeries, and special diets, his parents, Amy and Mikel call him their little warrior. He still suffers from partial complex seizures and absence seizures daily. 

Mom, Amy, provides a glimpse into their lives, “Caiden has slept with us in our bed since he was three months old because he started having seizures in his sleep, and he sometimes stops breathing so we need to give him oxygen. I started homeschooling Caiden this year, which has been such a blessing, and on a weekly basis, Caiden goes to speech, physical and occupational therapy an hour away. We decided to improve Caiden’s quality of life by getting him a service dog. 

What the Service Dog Will Do

The family has been approved for a dog through 4 Paws for Ability, an Ohio organization that has been serving children with disabilities for 20 years. A service dog would help Caiden find independence, confidence, security, and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Caiden and his parents would be able to sleep because the dog will be trained to bark to them before a seizure occurs or when it is occurring. His service dog will also provide companionship and a calming presence that can reduce emotional outbursts. 

How the Community Can Help

If you would like to help this child receive a life-saving service dog, you can make a donation: