Toby’s Foundation: a legacy of love
First appeared in the ASCA AussEnews September 2019
Toby’s Foundation is named for Toby, a blue merle Australian shepherd who started having seizures at 10 1/2 months old. Toby could not do any of the usual Aussie activities because of how epilepsy affected him but in what really mattered Toby excelled! He loved his family and friends. He endured a lot and he never gave up! He never won a championship but he championed the fight against canine epilepsy!
He inspired us always!
Toby’s Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and public charity established in 2004. Our Federal Tax Identification number is 74-3135217. Donations to Toby’s Foundation are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Toby’s Foundation is dedicated to canine epilepsy research and education and providing resources and support in the fight against canine epilepsy. We raise awareness of canine epilepsy and support the research that can lead to a screening test and more effective treatments for dogs suffering from this disease.
Toby died in 2009. He succumbed to the disease and its complications after nearly a seven-year battle. He was brave and loved life in spite of this cruel disease. He died surrounded by love!
Before Toby, canine epilepsy was buried in fear and silence. Toby helped bring it out into the open. Toby’s Foundation has waged a very public campaign against canine epilepsy and encouraged people to talk about it and share information which is so important for breeders to make the most informed breeding choices. Toby’s Foundation also provides a forum through our website for those affected by canine epilepsy to share their story and we answer your questions!
When Toby’s Foundation began there were no research grants for the Australian Shepherd and canine epilepsy research was not the priority it has become today since Toby’s Foundation brought it to the forefront. We have succeeded in raising canine epilepsy awareness! More researchers than ever are interested in canine epilepsy, the most common chronic nervous system disorder in dogs. We have sponsored 16 canine epilepsy research grants with seven of those active at the same time. This was unprecedented! We have worked with other organizations in the fight against canine epilepsy and directly with researchers whose grant proposals we have funded. We also work with breeders, pet owners, and others interested in defeating canine epilepsy. By eliminating this disease, we can save others from the tremendous toll it takes on our beloved dogs and the people who love them.
Toby’s Foundation’s website, www.tobysfoundation.org, serves not only to raise awareness of canine epilepsy but much more. We connect pet owners & breeders with researchers in a collaborative effort to collect blood samples for canine epilepsy research.
Our website is instrumental in raising much needed funds for researchers to develop a screening test for canine epilepsy and better treatment options. Our website also serves as a forum for pet owners dealing with this terrible disease to get information, resources, and in our Aussie Album and Letters to Toby to honor our beloved pets afflicted with or lost to this terrible disease. Our Research page keeps you informed and connected to the vital research being done on canine epilepsy and sponsored by us. Our Resources page provides links and articles about canine epilepsy. Our Toby’s Foundation brochure can be downloaded. Our How Can I Help page will enable you to become involved first hand in the fight against canine epilepsy and at the same time give Toby’s Foundation a much-needed helping hand! Toby’s Foundation is an all-volunteer organization and sometimes the workers are few so volunteers are always needed and much appreciated!
Toby’s Foundation will continue to pursue canine epilepsy research and the researchers that we need to do it. Donations are absolutely essential to fund the research. Can you help us with a donation right now? Can you run a fundraiser for us? Do you work for an employer that will make a matching gift? Any help that you can give would be much appreciated! We are so thankful for our donors! You make it possible for us to fund important canine epilepsy research so that we can keep moving forward! Please visit our donors page.
For more information and inspiration please browse our newly designed website, www.tobysfoundation.org that is user friendly, easier to navigate and now gives us a social media presence so we can continue to reach out!