Paws 4 Jonah and the Roach family are raising money for Little Angels Service Dogs so their son Jonah will gain a better quality of life with more independence. The family is hoping to raise $38,000 to help with the costs to obtain and train a service dog for this sweet boy. We can help make this dream a reality!

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JONAH ROACH HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH EPILEPSY

Ashley Roach is Jonah's mom. She's sharing more about Jonah and his devastating diagnosis. "Jonah was diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2018. Since then, he has also been diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech, other developmental delays, and some anxiety. We have an amazing team of doctors and therapists that help us along our journey."

Roach Family
Roach Family
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 HOW A SERVICE DOG WILL IMPACT JONAH'S LIFE

"A service dog will help Jonah gain some independence and a better quality of life. Some places or events are a little overwhelming for Jonah sometimes causing seizures. Stuff as simple as school or even a trip to the grocery store can cause them. He averages about 2 seizures per month. He’s had them while sleeping, playing, eating, taking a bath, riding in the car - he’s had them at school. He’s had seizures where he just shakes, some absent seizures, and a handful of seizures where he would quit breathing. A service dog will alert us to a seizure, retrieve his medications, and keep him calm using pressure therapy.", Ashley shared

A SERVICE DOG WILL CHANGE JONAH'S LIFE

What could have been tragic, turned into a blessing for the Roach family when they met a therapy dog trainer.

Ashley shared what happened on that day, "At first I was skeptical of how a service dog would help… until we were at an event, Jonah got overwhelmed and went into seizures. We thought he was stable enough to get to the car and tried making our way home. On the way to the car, another seizure happened and we stopped - luckily close to a paramedic setup. While they were checking him out, a lady that we had talked to earlier that day walked up. She was at the event training a therapy dog. She asked if she could lay the dog on Jonah - we said sure thinking it may make him happy and help him come around. She carefully laid the dog on Jonah and in no time, he was smiling and hugging this pup - then we thought it just may be worth it!"

Roach Family
Roach Family
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JONAH'S MEDICAL OUTLOOK

"His doctors have done many tests and believe that he has quite a bit going on and is unlikely to outgrow epilepsy. He has gone through medications that have made him sick to the point of missing a dose because he couldn’t keep it down. Medication changes also come when he grows as his weight changes." Ashley added

She went on to add, "We have family, friends, doctors, therapists, and teachers supporting us on our adventure… we couldn’t be more blessed!"

Roach Family
Roach Family
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We wish you the best of luck and more independence for your son. - Parents of a Teen with Epilepsy

Good luck in making this wonderful thing happen for him. - Anonymous

Roach Family
Roach Family
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PAWS 4 JONAH FUNDRAISER

Little Angels Service Dogs helps children with disabilities get a professionally trained dog. That's the goal of Jonah Roach and his family. So far they've raised $33,000 of the $38,000 needed to bring comfort and security to this brave young boy. There's a huge fundraiser planned on Facebook from Monday, June 5th through Friday, June 9th, 2023, with preview days and bidding days. In conjunction with Mrs. Brooke and Classic Fur, there are many great items up for bid, including a DJ event, outdoor basket, pet basket, game basket, baking basket, self-care basket, moonlight, Trunnels, Brashers, Val U Liquor, Bluegrass Museum, Bella Boutique, Beefs, a fiddle donated by Randy Lanham, Evansville Zoo membership, gas cards, among other items! All proceeds will go towards getting Country Heights Elementary School student Jonah on the waiting list for a service dog.

Paws 4 Jonah
Paws 4 Jonah
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Mary Otterson Roach
Glad the news is getting out for Jonah! He needs help. Wish some companies would get together and sponsor Jonah’s service dog for him. It would be a great help.

Pamela White
Go, Jonah!!! Aunt Pam is praying that you meet your goal and get your service dog. Don't give up!!

Let's help make Jonah's dream a reality!

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