UPDATE: Thanks to community, Miamisburg boy with cerebral palsy to get service dog

MIAMISBURG — UPDATE @ 2:35 p.m. (Dec. 29):

Through the generosity of many in the Miami Valley, a Miamisburg boy and his family have raised enough money to purchase a service dog to help with his medical needs.

After WHIO-TV aired the story on 5-year-old Silas Holtrup Monday, community members donated $14,000 in less than 24 hours to 4 Paws for Ability for Silas, reaching the family’s goal of $17,000 needed for his service dog, according to his mother Diana.

“Yesterday morning we had raised $3,000 and in less than 24 hours $14,000 came in!” she said.

Diana added Silas and the family were grateful to the community for their help.

FIRST REPORT (Dec. 28):

Silas Holtrup was recently adopted to a wonderful family, but his mother Diana says he’s now fighting another battle-- one for a service dog.

“We were very blessed to be able to give Silas his forever home through foster to adopt,” she says. But, “he is nonverbal, and gets frustrated when he can’t communicate what he wants.”

Five-year-old Silas was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and was approved to get a service dog, to aid with seizures and communication.

“He has had the majority of his seizures while he is sleeping, leaving us not knowing how long or when the seizure started,” his mother says.

Families must pay $17,000 towards their new companion, and Diana is reaching out to the community for help. Donations can be made directly to 4 Paws for Ability, and donators are asked to specify that they would like to help Silas.

Credit card donations can be made by calling (937)-374-0385, or checks can be mailed to 4 Paws for Ability, 207 Dayton Ave. Xenia, OH 4538 (put Silas’ name in the memo).

You can learn more about their family’s story here.

Cox Media Group