Celebrations have started early around here this year. The tree is up. Pups are posing for their holiday pictures. Nostalgia and anticipation are going viral as we flip through old photos. Presents are slowly being wrapped as we stuff stockings and get ready for the annual ODRC Holiday Parties to thank the trainers and staff for all they do daily behind the scenes to raise and care for WAGS 4 Kids service dogs in training.
The new year marks WAGS 4 Kids’ 20th anniversary as your renowned service dog organization – bringing together mobility, autism, and mental health service dogs with their child in need, up to 18 years old, as early in their lives as there is a need and an interest. Out of our little house on East Center Street, we trained for the first 3 years! Our goal? Inclusion! Always, in all ways. Filling the gap of early intervention services previously unheard of. Our partnership with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections – like Rudolph with his red rose – took us to new heights. We have now grown to serve 38 counties throughout the state of Ohio.
As I look across the table this holiday season and around the room at this fall’s Gala event – I see family, friends & neighbors. I see that our family has become bigger, our memories greater, and our laughter louder. For this – I am immeasurably grateful. Some still sit at our table, and some are now miles away. In the last 20 years, we proudly count 10 former or current staff members, 200 families served, 5 ODRC Institutions, 600+ men trained, 250,000+ Cleveland partygoers, 15 board members, and 1,000+ volunteer hours.
You have guided each of our families on their journey, and your friendship is felt every time a child’s service dog steps up to the task in joy, compassion, confidence, and love. For two decades, we have collaborated to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities through the power of service dogs. Together, we have witnessed countless success stories and shared moments of joy, making this anniversary an occasion for celebration and reflection.
The holiday season is all about spreading love and joy. And for our WAGS families, service dogs play an integral role in enhancing all that makes the holidays unique. Through their unwavering dedication and support, they embody the spirit of hope & giving. By supporting WAGS 4 Kids initiatives and spreading awareness, we can ensure that these incredible animals continue to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
We need your help. Love is yours to give, and it is unerringly received. Your gift for the well-being and continued training of WAGS 4 Kids’ service dogs allows us to adopt future dogs to train and provide resources and medical care to these amazing animals. Your gift ensures the ability to transform lives. Help us continue to branch out so that we can add more children and their photos to our W.A.G.S. 4 Kids family tree. And you will “let the magic begin” for next year and beyond. The need doesn’t stop…and neither will we.
I look forward to celebrating our anniversary with you in 2024! Until then, I will never be able to say it enough…on behalf of all our families…. Thank you for everything you do to make their wishes come true this holiday season.
Visit www.wags4kids.org to learn more about the children still waiting for their moment of joy to happen. Share your email address, and we can show you how your tax-deductible donation has directly impacted a child needing a service dog. Together, let’s make this year overflow with possibilities!
Warm holiday wishes and many, many thanks!!
Sera Nelson, Executive Director