As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day let’s take a moment to reflect on what exactly independence means.
In general independence is the state of being free from the control or influence of others. Being able to do what you want to do, when you want to is a big part of that. For an individual with a disability it may also include a person's ability to live their life without excessive reliance on others for support, guidance, or decision-making. It's about self-reliance and the ability to manage one's own affairs.
Do Unto Others Assistance Dogs uses “Empowering Independence” as a slogan, but it’s much more than that. Our dogs allow their person a larger measure of independence than they are capable of without their dog.
However, as a non-profit we are dependent on the generosity of our donors. Our independence day hasn’t arrived yet. No large corporation has stepped up with a hefty donation. We've yet to receive a grant from a well-endowed foundation. We’re working to make both of those things a possibility, but in the meantime we can’t do all that we’d like to be able to do to serve our clients, our volunteers, and our dogs.
We rely on people like you to help us spread the word about who we are and our mission “to empower individuals with disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life through the support of well-trained service dogs”. You might be the connection we need to that corporation, or foundation. YOU might be the one to help make us financially independent!
