On March 31st, 2026 Jessalyn Parsons was rushed to the Emergency Room to find she was in Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) and being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by absolute insulin deficiency requiring lifelong insulin therapy and intensive glucose monitoring, at just 10 years old. She was then admitted into the ICU at Akron Children's Hospital where she stayed for 5 days. During those days we found out that the autoimmune disease had attacked her pancreas and her thyroid, resulting in her being diagnosed with hypothyroidism as well, and she was in the first stages of kidney failure. After days of getting her Type 1 Diabetes under control and hours of educational classes for her and her parents, she was able to come home with her family to start her new way of life. Upon being home she had to get use to Being 100% insulin dependent, getting shots for everything she eats and numerous finger pokes to see her blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. Jessalyn has adjusted well to this new way of life, trying to find the positive in a rough situation. She is a very fun and active 10 year old girl. She loves playing with her siblings and animals, along with running around on her farm to play, fish, or hunt. One of her favorite things to do is to cook and bake delicious meals and desserts for her family and friends. She dreams of one day being a restaurant owner and being able to share all her goodies and creations. She is very active in 4-H where she loves to participate with all the activities she can. 
Going to camp with all her friends is a highlight to her summer. She is also a 2nd degree brown belt in Kung-Fu where she has been involved in since she was 7. Jessalyn was approved for a Diabetes Alert Dog through 4 Paws For Ability where a service dog would greatly help her be more independent with her diabetes and would help her family with managing her and her active lifestyle. A dog would also give Jessalyn the chance to live life more normal and with the confidence knowing her diagnoses doesn't define her capabilities. She can still conquer the world just with a few extra steps!
It costs 4 Paws for Ability $40,000 to train and properly place each service dog. Their funding model is partial payment for services, meaning they cover a portion of the cost and we as a family are responsible for a service fee of $20,000 so we are asking for your help in our efforts to raise the money needed for our daughter to become one of the many children benefiting from a service animal.
If you would like to help, donations can be made on this site, by Phone
4 Paws For Ability
937-374-0385
Monday- Friday
9AM- 4PM EST.
Or By Check, please make them payable to 4 Paws For Ability and writing Jessalyn's full name (Jessalyn Parsons) on the memo line and mailing it to:
4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Jessalyn Parsons
207 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Click here for T-shirts Available for Purchase To support Jessalyn
100 % of the donations go to Jessalyn's Service Dog
Thank you so much for any support or donation you are able to provide. It means so much to Jessalyn and her family.