LOCAL NEWS

Centerville family raising money to buy a service dog for son with Down syndrome

Oct 14, 2022, 5:47 PM | Updated: 6:02 pm

CENTERVILLE, Utah — A Centerville family wants to grow their family by four legs to help their oldest son who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Peek into the Pilcher family’s backyard, and the smiles and laughter you’ll find are near picture-perfect.

Morgan Pilcher, a wife and the mom of three boys said when it comes to the family’s oldest son, Cyrus, it’s all about being the best big brother.

“He loves his brothers. It’s his most favorite thing,” said Pilcher.

There’s only one thing missing from this picture to help out their 7-year-old son, Cyrus, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome.

“He will run away from us and run straight into a street or into a raging river or any of those kind of things. It gets really hard and really scary,” Pilcher said.

It’s nothing man’s best friend can’t handle, which is why the Pilcher family is raising money to buy a service dog for Cyrus.

The service dog would stay with Cyrus, and the dog would go wherever he goes to keep him away from those danger areas. “When he runs from us, the dog would be with him to keep him away from that until we could catch up to him,” Pilcher said.

The Pilcher family is working with Golden Healer Service Dogs, a Draper-based nonprofit organization that teams up the tail-wagging.

Mike Carlson, CEO of Golden Healer Service Dogs, said they typically assign golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, or a mixture of a golden doodles.

Carlson said the process takes anywhere from two to three years to raise these dogs along with thousands of dollars.

“Somewhere between from $40,000 to $60,000 generally,” Carlson said.

He said the training process for the pups starts early. “It starts out as soon as they’re born. We do some specific things to help with the stress management skills,” he said.

While the organization foots most of the cost, the Pilcher family still has to raise $10,000 for their service pup.

Peace of mind and more picture-perfect moments are priceless the family said.

“Knowing that the dog will be there as another set of eyes, so that if I look at my baby for a minute, Cyrus isn’t gone. It’s just another way to be able to enjoy going out as a family and not have to always be scared,” Pilcher said.

The family has raised a little under half of the $10,000 they need to pay toward getting their service pup.

Click here if you would like to help the Pilcher family.

 

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

A previous drug bust where authorities found Fentanyl....

Brianna Chavez

DEA says fentanyl seizure on track to surpass last year’s numbers

A troubling trend for law enforcement as the DEA says more fentanyl is making its way to Utah.

17 minutes ago

Tina Gomez was 27 when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis....

Emma Benson

‘It’s different every day’: Understanding multiple sclerosis and its prevalence in Utah

March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month, a chance to talk about this neurological condition which affects more than 30,000 Utahns.

26 minutes ago

Hope Hero Foundation Logo on key chain...

Karah Brackin

Utah’s Hope Hero Foundation is saving teen lives

Discover how The Hope Hero Foundation empowers teens and prevents suicide. Be the hero of your own story!

3 hours ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

Car fleeing from carjacking attempt rolls and bursts into flames on I-15

A car rolled and burst into flames on the ramp from 201 to Interstate 15  after fleeing from an attempted robbery, police said.

3 hours ago

Caroline Gleich wants to change what a senator should look like...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

Caroline Gleich wants to change what people think a senator should ‘look’ like

"I don't look like a U.S. senator." It's a message professional ski mountaineer and Democratic Senate candidate Caroline Gleich has heard often enough as she began her first televised ad of the 2024 cycle by addressing it.

4 hours ago

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Centerville family raising money to buy a service dog for son with Down syndrome