The Ochoa family of Martinsburg - who were in need of a service dog for their autistic sons, as referenced in a Jan. 23 Altoona Mirror Life article - have reached their fundraising goal.
The family needed to raise $13,000 dollars in order to receive the trained service dog from nonprofit group 4 Paws for Ability, based in Xenia, Ohio. They were notified Feb. 3 that they had reached the goal due to private donations to 4 Paws that came in during the months of December and January.
"We just want to thank everybody for helping us to do this, and so very quickly especially," said Mindy Ochoa, mother of Joey, 7, and Reuben, 5, who are in need of the dog. "I was impressed by how much the community had offered their help."
The family will receive the dog in about 11 months, after it goes through specific training to meet their needs.
