There was nothing more that Scotty Raymond wanted than to have his girl, Ivy, become a therapy dog.

She completed her months of training and two out of the three tests to become certified as a therapy dog while Scotty was here on Earth. He died in a motorcycle crash in 2023.

“Two weeks after Scotty went to heaven, Ivy and I dug deep into our hearts to pass the scheduled third and final test. She passed with flying colors and the Alliance Therapy evaluator had no idea what we were going through until she told us at the very end ‘You and Ivy make an amazing team!’ and we broke down, joyfully sobbing,” said his mother Chrissy Wile.

Applications are now being accepted for the Scotty Raymond Therapy Dog Grant, a new funding opportunity for Monroe County residents who plan to certify their dog as a therapy dog or service dog, or who intend to adopt a service dog.

The $500 grant aims to support individuals committed to utilizing canine assistance for therapeutic purposes within the community. Grant funds will be paid directly to the certifying institution or service dog provider and not to the grant recipient.

To be considered eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current resident of Monroe County

• Have plans to certify a dog as a therapy dog or service dog

• Commit to sharing their personal experiences as a therapy or service dog owner for one year with the donor family and on social media platforms

“We encourage recipients to continue sharing their journey beyond the initial year requirement,” said the Raymond/Wiles Family, “as these stories inspire others and highlight the powerful impact therapy and service dogs have in our community.”

For more information about the application process or to apply for the Scotty Raymond Therapy Dog Grant, visit our www.cfmcpa.org or email Samantha Holbert at director@cfmcpa.org.