Little by little, family raising funds for guide dog
To pay for a service dog to help Christopher, 10, who is autistic, the Burrows must raise $14,000.
By GAIL KOCH
gkoch@muncie.gannett.com



MUNCIE -- A self-described "helper" all her life, Claudia Burrows says it's difficult asking others to raise money for a service dog for her autistic son.

Yet, slowly but surely, the donations are trickling in.


Since the Burrows family was profiled by The Star Press in early January, a fund created for the family has netted about $1,250, said Burrows, who suffers from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Burrows' fatal condition makes it difficult to care for her son, Christopher, 10, who also suffers from a weak immune system, asthma and low muscle tone in his legs. The family's disabilities make them excellent candidates for a guide dog that could help them both.
Of the money raised for the family, more than $800 came from a fund-raising event held last month at Care Animal Hospital, 3601 N. Nebo Road.

Amanda Morris, practice manager for the veterinary hospital, said staffers there were looking for a charitable cause to get involved with. "After we read about the Burrows family, we just felt like this could be a good fit," she said.

Care Animal had an open nail trim at which they provided services free but asked for donations to help the family. A donation can also was placed at the hospital's front desk, she said.

Burrows, 46, is confident the family will reach their goal of $14,000, the amount needed to cover the cost of training for the dog from 4 Paws for Ability, an Ohio-based non-profit agency.

"[That's] a daunting amount for one person alone, but broken down into smaller parts it becomes much more manageable," Burrows said. "If enough people spread the word and donate just a few dollars each, we'll be there before you know it!"

Burrows also is working on a funding proposal to the local chapter of Tri-Kappa, the state's philanthropic sorority. The Internet, she said, has been a great asset in helping her spread word through Christopher's Web site, www.paws4christopher.com. The family's fund-raising total is updated twice monthly on the site.

Before her ALS diagnosis, Burrows was a paramedic and nurse who was "the one who got stuff done" and took care of others. Now she hopes to give others the opportunity to experience what it's like to make a difference in someone's life.


"There was no greater feeling than seeing a critical patient I'd transported be discharged and return to their lives and families," she said. "I realize now I might be giving other people the opportunity to have that great feeling of making a difference by getting involved helping Christopher get his angel dog."
Contact news reporter Gail Koch at 213-5827.


Want to help? Here's how
The Burrows family is raising money for 4 Paws for Ability, an Ohio-based non-profit group that trains service dogs for people with disabilities.

The family is in need of a service dog for Christopher, 10, who is autistic, and his mother, Claudia, 46, who has ALS. About $1,250 has been raised so far, but the family needs $14,000 to cover the cost of the animal's training.

If you would like to help, mail a tax-deductible donation in Christopher's name to:

4 Paws For Ability
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio, 45385

For more information, visit Christopher Burrows' Web site, www.paws4christopher.com, e-mail Claudia Burrows at claudiamedic@yahoo.com or contact 4 Paws at (937) 374-0385.



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