I am raising funds for Paws for Patrick to help bring the love of animals to the people who need it most. Please consider joining me in this effort.

Paws for Patrick was founded by the Roemer family in memory of their son Patrick who lived with depression and anxiety for most of his young life; his illness took him from his loved ones just months before he would have graduated from Lake Forest High School in May of 2020.

Paws for Patrick's mission is to connect young people with Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Therapy Dogs to aid them as they live with mental illness. Utilizing their unique Wish Granter and Therapy Dog programs, they provide the funds and resources to bring the love of animals to the people who need it most. They also seek to raise awareness of mental illness and break the stigma that still exists. Patricks animals, especially his beloved dog Cici, provided him with a sense of peace and love that no human could ever provide. This work can never bring Patrick back, and the pain of his loss will never go away, yet his memory and his legacy still live on in the most profound way.

Paws for Patrick will mark their one year anniversary with a Walk for Awareness & Family Fair on Sunday, September 26 at 10 am at Lake Forest Recreation Center, 400 Hastings Road, Lake Forest, IL. Register here.