Fundraiser being held to get service dog for Fernandina Beach girl with rare genetic condition

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — The community is rallying around a little girl so she can get a little four-legged help.

Adaliene has a rare genetic condition and could benefit from a service dog. She has a sensory processing disorder and she's considered nonverbal.

Adaliene's rare genetic disorder involves a duplication of chromosomes. It's so rare that her mother, Rebecca Johnson, said no one else is known to have it.

Johnson said Adaliene loves dogs, and a service dog could do wonders, but there’s one problem

“Her dog will cost $30,000 total,” Johnson said.

The community has stepped up.

Octavio Martinez owns Hot Paws, a grooming and boarding business, and Matt Douglas is a Fernandina Beach police officer. The two will hold a fundraiser for Adaliene this Sunday at Hot Paws.

“Wanted to give back to the community and help them any ways possible,” Douglas said.

They hope to raise enough of the remaining $16,000 so Adaliene can get her much-needed companion. For more information on the fundraiser, visit the Facebook page for the event and-or The Barefoot K9 Project page.

Cox Media Group