We’re So Close to Bringing Solomon and His Service Dog Together!

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When 4-year-old Solomon was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in April 2020, we started a fundraiser to help him raise the money he needed for a professionally trained service dog.

We started fundraising on June 10th. By June 14th, God’s amazing people had donated the $10,000.00 necessary to secure Solomon’s puppy from the next litter.

Hallelujah!

We still had to raise another $12,000.00 before we could secure the pup’s training spot.

Are you ready to celebrate?

God has used His generous people to help us raise a total of $14,038.9 between June 10-27, 2020!

Solomon has secured his puppy from the next litter and only needs $7,969.31 to secure his training spot!

I look forward to sharing photos and more about Solomon’s story as we continue supporting him on his journey. BUT TODAY, I’m asking for your help.

Will you join us by doing one or more of the following:

  1. Praying for Solomon, his family,the Tails for Life trainers, and the puppy God has already chosen to serve Solomon.
  2. Prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible donation in any amount directly to Tails for Life to help us reach our final goal.
  3. Share this post on social media and encourage others to donate and/or share the post, so we can reach more people.

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You can make your tax-deductible donation online or send a check, made payable to Tails for Life with a note in the memo: “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog.

Please send checks to:

Tails for Life

Attention: Jacob Guell

W7074 Penny Lane

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

If you have any problems making a donation online and adding “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the notes section, please make your donation online then email Jacob Guell at [email protected] to let him know your donation is for Solomon.

I am praising God now for the wonderful way He is going to provide for Solomon and his family, just like He provided for me and my sweet Callie Mae.

Please feel free to leave a comment below to encourage Solomon and his family, as well as the Tails for Life team members who have dedicated their lives to serving God by providing well-trained service dogs and ongoing training support to those in need.

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First Goal Met: Solomon is Getting His Service Puppy!

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

I thank God for every single person who helped us reach our first goal of $10,000.00 so that Solomon can be placed on the list to receive his puppy from the next litter!

Between June 10, 2020 and June 24, 2020, sponsors blessed us with $10,898.69 of tax-deductible donations made directly to Tails for Life and earmarked for 4-year-old Solomon Henry’s service dog.

I had the privilege of telling Solomon’s family that we reached our first goal on his sister’s birthday. What a gift!

Solomon was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in April 2020. His family has been processing the life-changing impact of his diagnosis while facing big decisions about his treatment.

We may not be able to change Solomon’s diagnosis, but we ARE helping change his life.

Every single dollar . . . every single penny . . . every single time someone chose to share our posts has made a difference.

We still need $11,101.31 before Solomon’s puppy can start the two-year training program with lifetime training support.

But today, we’re celebrating!

To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise, praise, praise!

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Would you like to join us in praying for the Henry family and prayerfully consider making a donation directly to Tails for Life today?

Please make checks payable to Tails for Life, write “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the meme, and send to:

 

Tails for Life

Attention: Jacob Guell

W7074 Penny Lane

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

 

If you have any problems making a donation online and adding “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the notes section, please make your donation online. Then email Jacob Guell at [email protected] to let him know your donation is for Solomon.

Please also consider inviting a friend or two to help so we can reserve Solomon’s spot and begin the two-year service dog training process as soon as possible.

I thank God for all of you who sponsored Callie’s service dog training and who continually pray for us as we share God’s truth and love to the ends of the earth.

I am praising God now for the wonderful way He is going to provide for Solomon and his family, just like He provided for me and my sweet Callie Mae.

Please feel free to leave a comment below to encourage Solomon and his family, as well as the Tails for Life team members who have dedicated their lives to serving God by providing well-trained service dogs and ongoing training support to those in need.

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Working Together Can Change Solomon’s Life – June 22, 2020 Update

On June 10, 2020, I shared Solomon’s story with you. This four-year-old boy with a contagious love for God has inspired all of us. As his family processes their emotions while praying for guidance regarding his medical treatment, sponsors have been blessing them with tax-deductible donations paid directly to Tails for Life for Solomon’s service dog.

Over the last twelve days, Tails for Life has received $7,773.69 in donations to help bring Solomon and his service dog together.

We’re only $2,226.31 away from our 1st goal of $10,000, which will secure a puppy for Solomon from the next litter.

To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise, praise, praise!

Your generosity, words of encouragement, and prayers have overwhelmed the family.

They are facing some difficult decisions as they consider treatment options. The sooner we can get Solomon’s dog in training, the sooner he and his whole family will benefit from our gift.

I’m in tears as I type this message, thanking God for each of you who have donated, prayed, or shared this post.

It is a pleasure and privilege to see people coming alongside this family to help.

When the litter is born, the owner of Tails for Life will help the family choose a puppy.

The basic training begins before the breeder even releases the puppy to the trainers. Then, the Tails for Life family dedicates time around the clock to caring for this special dog they have committed to love and train so that he can serve the handler God has chosen for him ̶ Solomon.

As Solomon grows, he’ll need this service dog to help him with balance and mobility. The dog will be able to help him stand up when he falls. He will pick up and retrieve items for Solomon. And when Solomon transitions into a wheelchair, his service dog will remain by his side and ready to work.

A service dog will also alert family members when Solomon needs their attention. He will bring comfort and peace of mind to all of the family members as they lovingly serve as Solomon’s caregivers.

If I would have had my service dog when I served as my mom’s live-in caregiver, Callie could have helped me physically and emotionally.

I wouldn’t have had to use a cane to walk. I wouldn’t have hurt myself when picking up dropped items, which would have prevented me from caring for my mom while on crutches for six weeks.

With Callie, I wouldn’t have felt so alone when I was trying to be strong for my mom.

God strengthened me each day, but physically caring for my mom while trying to care for myself during my daily battle with chronic pain was hard and emotionally draining.

As Callie reaches the end of her first year in training with Tails for Life on July 9th, I sure would love to celebrate that special day by announcing that Solomon’s service dog is paid in full and ready to begin training!

With a service dog, the Henry family will be able to serve Solomon without depleting all of their mental, physical, or emotional strength.

We can’t change Solomon’s diagnosis. But, as we continue donating to help bring Solomon and his service dog together, we can be a part of what God is doing to change their lives.

Any donation amount will help and be appreciated.

Every dollar counts and helps us get closer to the goal of $22,000.00 so Solomon can begin his adventure with the service dog God has already chosen for him and his family.

Will you please join me in praying for the Henry family and prayerfully consider making a donation directly to Tails for Life today?

Please make checks payable to Tails for Life, write “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the meme, and send to:

Tails for Life

Attention: Jacob Guell

W7074 Penny Lane

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

If you have any problems making a donation online or adding “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the notes section, please make your donation online then email Jacob Guell at [email protected] to let him know your donation is for Solomon.

Please also consider inviting a friend or two to help so we can secure Solomon’s dog and training spot as soon as possible.

I thank God for all of you who sponsored Callie’s service dog training and who continually pray for us as we share God’s truth and love to the ends of the earth.

I am praising God now for the wonderful way He is going to provide for Solomon and his family, just like He provided for me and my sweet Callie Mae.

Please feel free to leave a comment below to encourage Solomon and his family, as well as the Tails for Life family members who have dedicated their lives to serving God by providing well-trained service dogs and ongoing training support to those in need.

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As of July 22, 2020, Tails for Life has received $7,773.69 for Solomon’s service dog!

 

Callie’s Birthday Wish: We Have a Hurting Friend Who Needs Our Prayers and Our Help

Callie turned two today!

I shed grateful tears when I think about how the Lord has used Callie, a mixed breed rescued from a kill-shelter, and the trainers at Tails for Life to improve my quality of life physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually.

When we followed God from California to Wisconsin in August 2018, I couldn’t even walk to the end of the block with my cane. I couldn’t endure more than an hour out of the house without hunching over with stabbing pain in my upper thoracic back.

Though I still struggle with daily nerve pain, fatigue, muscle spasms, and headaches, my doctor’s helping me improve my pain management and Callie’s helping me improve my independence and mobility.

I can now walk Callie, without a cane, 2-3 times a day. Hallelujah!

When I’m having high level pain or spasms, Callie stays by my side and offers pressure therapy upon my request. She helps me get out of my chair and picks up things that I drop. She helps me balance when I’m walking and slows down when I have a flare-up during an outing.

Callie has flown across the country with me and served the Lord by my side during multiple book signings and speaking events. She lays next to me when I’m writing and rests under the table when I’m working at my desk.

I feel more confident and courageous when I’m serving the Lord with Callie by my side.

None of this would be possible without God, the New Pawsibilities rescue shelter, our first Wisconsin-friends, Gary and Carmen, and the group of generous readers who sponsored Callie’s service dog training with Tails for Life.

As I thank God for allowing us to serve Him together, I enjoy sharing our adventures at Callie the Service Dog with Xochitl Dixon (Facebook).

Callie is also building friendships and serving the Lord online at @callie.the.service.dog with Xochitl Dixon on Instagram.

But nothing is more rewarding than helping others who would benefit from a service dog. 

Four-year-old Solomon needs our help today!

On April 16, 2020, one of the families in our church discovered that their son, Solomon, was diagnosed with Duchenne (pronounced “do-shen”) Muscular Dystrophy.

My friend, Lara, explained how Solomon’s diagnosis will impact his future.

“This is a disease that doesn’t have a cure. My son’s body cannot make the protein properly to sustain his muscles. As he ages, his body will slowly become weaker.

The mutation on the X-Chromosome means nearly all who are affected by DMD are males.

Boys will typically need a motorized wheelchair by middle school. Eventually they will need help with the most basic needs of life.

Life expectancy varies between DMD boys, some pass as early as their teenage years – some live longer – but most pass in their 20’s.

I’ve grown closer to Solomon and his family as I pray for them.

Solomon is a bright and happy boy. He’s curious, funny, and kind. He likes playing with tools and Legos.

And he loves Callie!

Lara shared how this disease is already impacting her son’s physical abilities.

“Solomon is unable to run or jump. Stairs are hard work. He struggles to pick his feet up high enough off the ground, so they don’t drag. He literally trips over his own feet.”

But Solomon’s disease is also effecting his whole family.

While her husband works to support their family, Lara tries to stay right by Solomon’s side, constantly fearing he will fall and injure himself.

“His sister, Addy, loves him very much,” she said. “Although she doesn’t fully understand what “Duchenne” means, she knows enough to run and get his favorite blanket or stuffed animal when he falls and hurts himself.”

But Lara proclaims that Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has not left Solomon’s family without hope.

“The God who stopped the sun in the sky for the Israelites, the God who parted the Red Sea for Moses, the God who raised Lazarus from the dead . . . that is the God I believe in. And that is the God who could have reached into my womb and healed my son before he was born. He is the God that could heal my son right now.

But He doesn’t.

And I HAVE to be okay with that. It is now more important than ever for me to have hope in Him and in His promises.

Is it easy?  Definitely not. Do I do it consistently? Nope. But, after the hardest of days when the tears won’t stop flowing, do I come back before His throne on my knees? Sure do. I have to believe in God’s goodness, in His power, in His might. I have to believe that He loves my son. I have to believe that it will all be okay, regardless of the pain now.

Because if I don’t believe all of that, what am I left with? Belief that God that doesn’t love Solomon? Belief that God isn’t all-powerful or all-mighty? Oof. That puts me in a very dark place. I don’t want to be there. So today, in spite of the pain and the grief, I choose to believe. I choose to have hope in the future.”

Jacob Guell from Tails for Life explains how a service dog can help brighten Solomon’s future.

A professionally trained service dog will help Solomon balance and can provide a sense of independence for Solomon, even as his muscles weaken.

The dog will help Solomon stand up from his chair or the floor, if he’s sitting on the floor or after a fall.

When Solomon drops something, the dog will pick up the item he drops. He can even retrieve and carry items.

The dog will be able to work with Solomon when he is in a wheelchair, too.

A service dog would also offer support to Solomon’s family.

The dog will alert a family member if Solomon needs help. He will stick close to Solomon and offer physical and emotional support, so family members don’t have to be so worried about leaving his side to keep him from falling.

The dog would also know how to get assistance from someone if Solomon is in need of help, at home or in public.

I know from my experience with Callie that a service dog brings so much more to the handler and the family.

The sense of comfort and confidence that comes through working with a service dog is a priceless gift.

A professionally trained service dog will allow Solomon and his family to have a better quality of life physically, emotionally, and mentally as his disease progresses.

How can we help bring Solomon and his service dog together so they can begin their life-changing journey together?

Tails for Life works with reliable breeders to ensure their service dogs have a specific temperament that will make them successful as they work with their handlers and families.

Securing a puppy and the two-year training spot with ongoing support from Tails for Life costs $22,000.00.

I know from experience that the Tails for Life team works with integrity and goes above and beyond to serve the families God has entrusted to them.

The sooner Solomon can secure a dog and a training spot, the sooner he will be able to begin working with the service dog.

Tails for Life needs $10,000.00 as soon as possible to reserve a dog and a training spot for Solomon.

The remaining balance of $12,000.00 is due when the training begins.

Tails for Life is already booking training spots for next Spring. They work on a first come first serve basis, so they cannot reserve spots without the funding.

Sponsors can make tax-deductible donations directly to Tails for Life via their website (click here).

Donations must include a message in the notes section to inform Tails for Life that their donation is for Solomon.

Tails for Life also accepts tax-deductible donations via check (instructions below) with a note informing them that the money should go directly to Solomon’s dog and training.

Donations over $250.00 will receive a special form in addition to the receipt everyone receives with their life-changing donation.

Tails for Life has trained Callie and me since July 2019, but they have been making a difference in the lives of children since 2013.

This team has provided well over a dozen service dogs to families across Wisconsin and Illinois, along with a few other states.

They have helped many children with rare disorders or diseases, children who were turned away from other organizations because they didn’t fit the organization’s criteria.

For Callie’s birthday, I wanted to spread God’s love and hope to this family in need. But I know Callie and I can’t do this alone.

Any donation amount will help and be appreciated.

Every dollar counts and helps us get closer to the goal of $22,000.00 so Solomon can begin his adventure with the service dog God has already chosen for him and his family.

Will you please join me in praying for the Henry family and prayerfully consider making a donation directly to Tails for Life today?

Please make checks payable to Tails for Life, write “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the meme, and send to:

 

Tails for Life

Attention: Jacob Guell

W7074 Penny Lane

Fond du Lac, WI 54937

 

If you have any problems making a donation online and adding “Solomon Henry’s Service Dog” in the notes section, please make your donation then email Jacob Guell at [email protected] to let him know your donation is for Solomon.

Please also consider inviting a friend or two to help so we can secure Solomon’s dog and training spot as soon as possible.

I thank God for all of you who sponsored Callie’s service dog training and who continually pray for us as we share God’s truth and love to the ends of the earth.

In the photo above, Callie is “praising the Lord.” (Yes. I taught her how to do that, so we could praise Him together!)

And today, I am praising God for the wonderful way He is going to provide for Solomon and his family, just like He provided for me and my sweet Callie Mae.

Please feel free to leave a comment below to encourage Solomon and his family, as well as the Tails for Life team members who have dedicated their lives to serving God by providing well-trained service dogs and ongoing training support to those in need.

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June 15, 2020 UPDATE:

PRAISE the LORD! Every single donation is making a difference!

As of 8 am Monday, June 15, 2020, only five days into our fundraising efforts, God has blessed us with a total of $5,144.69. Hallelujah!

We may not be able to change Solomon’s diagnosis, but we are helping change his life by donating today!

Please SHARE this post, so we can reach more people!

Thank you for your prayers and support! To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise, praise, praise!

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Callie the Service Dog: Asking for Help

Callie pic 1*** Thanks to the generous support of God’s loving people, Callie’s service dog training was sponsored in full in less than four days. to God be the glory, the honor, and the praise, praise, praise! To join the adventure as I share how the Lord is working in and through our journey, please join us on our Facebook page: Callie the Service Dog with Xochitl E. Dixon.

Original Post Below:

When we followed God from California to Wisconsin after a university offered my husband a job he’d never even applied for, a part of me thought the Lord was leading me to doctors who would be able to fix my injured back. I’d grown weary of struggling with pain management and fatigue.

I knew God could heal me instantly and thought our move would be one step closer to our miracle.

I was wrong, but oh so right.

The day after I arrived in Wisconsin, our first Fondy friends, Gary and Carmen, drove us to pick up our new puppy.

Callie Puppy Pic by WindowAs we stood in the middle of the animal rescue center, I held the bundle of wiggles in my arms and cried.

My back, shoulders, and neck hurt, but the pain couldn’t take my joy away.

I had no idea that small pup would change my life. And at that time, I had no idea how much I needed her.

In the months after adopting Callie, I struggled with adjusting to life in Wisconsin.

Alone and freezing, with pain levels increasing and writing deadlines quickly approaching, I battled discouragement daily.

We invested in personal and group training for Callie. She grew fast and soon doubled the estimated weight the rescue center had given us, though she seemed to think she still weighed twelve pounds.

Callie pic 13Yes, that is my puppy perched on my shoulder.

After my last procedure failed to improve my pain management, my doctor said, “This could be your life. Pain management may be the only thing we can offer.”

His words punched me in the gut.

I knew God could heal me in an instant. I had no idea why He hadn’t, but I knew He also hadn’t wasted one moment of my healing journey.

I share a lot about that topic and about my initial injury in my first full-length devotional, Waiting for God: Trusting Daily in God’s Plan and Pace (Available for pre-order on Amazon and on the Discovery House Publishers’ website).

My doctor consoled me as I grieved. Then, we discussed other treatment options, options that would still be considered pain management, band-aids for the symptoms of the injury no doctor seemed to be able to fix.

I spent the next few days crying and praying and resting in God’s loving arms, grieving but at peace.

My husband did all he could to encourage me.

20181109_102616But the Lord used Callie to make me smile, to help me get up and walk even when the pain felt overwhelming and the temperatures reached smack-me-in-the-face cold.

I taught Callie how to walk on the treadmill, so she would still get exercise when my body refused to cooperate.

But most days, her smile enticed me to walk with her. Yes. I even walked her in the snow.

As the months rolled by, I got stronger, physically and emotionally.

Even when the pain levels peaked, my sweet pup managed to tuck a little joy into my weary heart.

Callie pic 4Her smile brightened my darkest days and gave me the courage to research a possibility I thought would be out of my reach.

Could I find someone to help me train Callie to be a service dog? How much would it cost? How could we afford it if I had to pay for my next procedure because the insurance company refused to cover the expenses?

I needed help.

After much prayer, wise counsel, and encouragement from friends who had supported me during my decades-long healing journey, I asked God for the courage to ask for help.

Our current trainer recommended Jake Guel from Tails for Life.

Callie Oct 2018After hearing my story, he said we could train Callie to help me walk without a cane, a task she’s been practicing. She could learn how to lean into me when I lose balance during a spasm or when my nerve pain flares-up while walking. She can learn how to pick things up for me, how to retrieve items, and more.

On my hardest days, I am hunched over and wincing from the pain as I make my way to the bathroom.

The thought of having Callie as a helper makes me feel less alone, less dependent on my hard-working husband who already does so much for me.

I feel stronger, braver . . . even when I feel weakened by the ongoing sharp pain and headaches . . . like today.

She would be able to travel with me if I take public transportation, since I can’t drive.

Callie pic 5She’ll be able to travel with me and stay with me at hotels, so I can follow God’s leading with confidence as He expands my speaking ministry.

Jake offered me a training package that was more affordable than I imagined, but still way out of my budget.

He suggested I reach out to people who would be willing to sponsor Callie’s service dog training.

So, here I am. Risking rejection and ridicule as I ask for help to raise $3,200.00 for Callie’s service dog training.

I’m trusting God will provide in a mighty way. We hope to raise enough money so we can sign up for a training session in June.

Callie - Graduation Photo - April 2019If you’re willing to join our adventure as a sponsor, please visit the Tails for Life website and donate a tax-deductible gift.

Please make a note on your donation stating that you are sponsoring Callie Dixon.

If you are not able to, for some reason, please make sure you email Jake at [email protected] to let him know you are sponsoring Callie Dixon’s training. If it’s easier, you can email me so I can let him know.

I will be asking for donations for a week. I need to secure Callie’s spot. The training schedule fills up quickly.

If you let me know when you donate, I can keep a record to compare to Jake’s list of sponsors. This will help ensure that our sponsors’ gifts are applied toward Callie’s service dog training.

I will post occasional updates about how God is working in and through our adventures on my blog. I’ll also be creating pages on Facebook and Instagram just for Callie the Service Dog, where I’ll post photos, videos, and share what the Lord is teaching me through our journey.

Thanks for your prayers, your encouragement, and your willingness to consider sponsoring Callie as she begins service dog training.

Callie pic 2I know I can do nothing without God or your ongoing love and support.

To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise!

If you want to learn more about Jake Guell and the wonderful ways they are helping change lives, please visit the Tails for Life website.

You can also encourage them by “liking” their Facebook page and following them on Instagram.

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