Success Stories
Jamie Pedro and Max

My name is Timothy James Pedro. I was born on Christmas Day in 1981. I'm 6'4" and 220 lbs. In the early morning hours of September 25th, 2005, I was involved in a single vehicle accident with a close friend, not even 2 miles from my home. Not wearing my seatbelt, I was thrown into the dash, breaking my neck at C-5, 6, and 7. As my truck began to roll, I was ejected out of the windshield, landing on the wet ground. My friend managed to stay in the truck and was not injured, thank God. He found me a good distance away from the truck. I was temporarily unconscious but awake a few minutes later. That was the beginning of the longest next three months of my life. I was in ICU for two weeks, in a step-down program for five, then shipped to Charlotte Rehabilitation for six more weeks. That was the beginning of my life as a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the collar bone down.

Since that time, I have regained almost full use of my arms. Unfortunately, I have no wrist or hand function. I wear mechanical hand braces on each arm. They allow me to eat, write, and hold my drink. The problem is getting the food and drink where I can reach it. I go to9 school full-time and I have a Havtech that drives me. I am currently working towards completing my driver's evaluation so that I can drive real soon. I have recently moved into my own apartment. I am a former Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff of 3 years, a volunteer part-time FireFighter/EMT/RT for 9 years, and was working towards my nursing degree at the time of my accident.

I recently had the opportunity to meet Max, a 2 year old yellow lab. Max was able to get dropped items and even a retrieved drink from the refrigerator onto my wheelchair tray. He threw away trash for me and heeled nicely alongside my wheelchair. Most of all, he put a smile on my face. Please send a donation to help me be partnered with this wonderful dog.

THANK YOU!