Paws for Sebastien

PALMER — This Saturday at 6 p.m., the community will gather at the Palmer Moose Lodge to support a local boy, Sebastien Bourassa who was recently diagnosed with autism and Complex Partial Seizures. This event will be a dinner party serving prime rib and will also be a chance to win items during the silent and live auctions. The goal is to raise $17,000 to obtain a service dog from 4 PAWS for Ability, a non-profit organization that helps place service dogs in home for individuals and families in need.

“It takes a particular village,” said Sebastien’s mother, Brenna Bourassa said, citing the adage that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. “The dog will help a lot.”

Brenna said that she hopes this event will raise awareness not only for her son but for the value of service dogs in general. She said that having the highly trained dog will be an extra step to help make sure her son is safe. The dog will help keep an eye on Sebastien. The dog will be trained to detect seizures and keep Sebastien from wandering into the street and so on. The canine should also benefit Sebastien as a companion, aiding his development. Brenna and her partner, Jacob Vaughn are already swimming in gratitude over the outpour of generosity from the community. They have already raised $8,000 with a $4,000 grant from Matanuska Electric Association (MEA).

“It’s such a blessing,” Vaughn said.

Tickets for the event cost $20. The dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the auction starts at 7 p.m. It’s been a long journey for Sebastien and Brenna. With the future unknown, they celebrate all the “small victories” with a hopeful look to the horizon.

“You hope for the best and plan for the alternative,” Brenna said.