Ringgold grandmother holds shoe fundraiser to provide service dog for granddaughter

Abrielle (“Ellie”) Steimer, of Sterling, Colo., is a spunky, determined, bright six-year-old who likes the color purple, horses, Tinker Bell, Minnie Mouse and orange juice. Her loved ones, including her grandmother Jan Gibson, of Ringgold, call her “Sunshine Girl” because despite the struggles she faces every day, she has a huge smile and a contagious laugh.

Ellie was born in 2010, had a normal delivery and lived a fun-filled baby life with her two older siblings until her parents noticed some delays starting around eight months. She was eventually diagnosed with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy, and the cause of Ellie’s particular case is unknown.

Ellie is able to walk on her own with an unsteady gait, but continues to fall regularly. She struggles with speech as well. Her family is holding a gently used shoe drive, “4 Paws for Ellie”

during November and December to help provide her with a service dog, which will help Ellie in the following ways:

Mobility assistance - a bar will be mounted on the dog’s vest to provide her balance support and stability, thus also providing independence. When she does fall, she will have help to get back up. A tether will also be used to help her from running off or wandering. This again will help her slow down and provide some independence as she grows while maintaining some safety.

Seizure alert - while her seizures are mainly under control, she still has bad days with absence seizures. A dog could provide alert of an oncoming seizure and emotional support during and after as well.

Behavior modification - emotional support during a meltdown or frustration. When she is nervous or fighting during an appointment, the dog can sit close or even on top of her to soothe and calm. The dog could also help Ellie be more grounded in a group setting. The goal is to give Ellie the best care and tools possible and a dog can be a tremendous blessing and companion in her growth.

4 Paws for Ability is an Ohio-based nonprofit organization that trains service dogs for children with medical and developmental challenges. Raising and training a dog costs the organization over $22,000.

To enable them to help as many people as quickly as possible, 4 Paws allows each recipient family to fundraise the $15,000 to qualify for the dog. By utilizing this unique fundraising model, each family is able to receive a service dog within 18 months.

Drop off your gently used or new shoes at Hair Tamer, 7388 Nashville Street, in Ringgold, during November and December to help donate funds to the organization.

To make a tax deductible donation and help Ellie and her family, visit 4pawsforability.org or mail a check with Ellie’s name on the memo line to: 4 Paws for Ability, In Honor of Abrielle Steimer, 253 Dayton Avenue, Xenia, Ohio 45385. Follow Ellie’s journey on her Facebook page.