Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Reno Goes to Washington

Editor's Note:  Guest blogger Maddie Paolero from Portsmouth, Rhode Island, along with her family and faithful companion Reno, are longtime DMRF supporters and regular advocates for the legislative and policy needs of the dystonia community.

This month my dog Reno will be raising funds for the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation as he takes his regular walks around the block, and sometimes just half a block, depending on how his hips are doing.  The Virtual Dog Walk for Dystonia is a perfect way to raise funds for this great cause without traveling, dealing with weather, or having to walk a set route.

Reno doesn’t understand fundraising or advocacy, but we’ve had many fun and challenging times together at DMRF events through the years. We live in Rhode Island, the smallest state, but that hasn’t kept us from having big plans. Reno and I have made three trips to the Dystonia Family Symposium in Chicago together, sharing what he does for me as a skilled companion dog with the kids and families there.  He even took a dip in the hotel pool there one year!

He’s also made three trips to Washington, DC with me as part of the Dystonia Advocacy Network. Our group from Rhode Island and Massachusetts shared our stories of life with dystonia and how our legislators can help the dystonia community.  Going on one of these trips is a huge undertaking, with the plane trip, the shuttles and taxis, walking back and forth to appointments in the Capitol Building and Representatives’ offices, and trying to time his potty breaks for when we’ll have a stretch of grass.  Last year poor Reno stepped on a bee in front of the White House and he limped the several blocks back to the hotel.  We’re hoping to make the trip again this March, so a touch of arthritis in his hips will probably seem like a piece of cake compared to that!

Our two Zoo Walks for Dystonia through the Providence Zoo were wonderful, too.  If you’ve never been to the zoo with a service dog, you’re missing out! The otters and monkeys especially love Reno, while the cheetahs show off their stalking skills.  Having friends join our team and spend the morning with us at the zoo does as much for me as the money we raise does for the DMRF.

Reno and I have visited every classroom at Saint Philomena School (Preschool through grade 8) where my mom works, and many of my classes as I went through Portsmouth Middle School and high school. The kids always have a lot of questions about dystonia, and are almost as happy to donate to the DMRF as they are to get to shake Reno’s paw.

Yes, Reno has been a great sport all these years, and I love every day with him. This virtual walk is perfect for Reno. He can just chill and walk to the corner, sniffing his favorite spots along the way, then come home and curl up in his senior dog memory foam bed. Meanwhile, Mom and I will do a little work to get the word out online and raise some funds for the DMRF in his honor.

Please join us by registering for the virtual walk or sponsoring a dog, any dog even Reno! Thank you.

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