Community Corner

Hundreds Help Mickey's Kids Support Canine Cause

Heights-based foundation Mickey's Kids hosts annual gala event in support of Canine Assistants, to fund a service dog for a child in need.

It was a lively night of dancing, music, laughter, and friendship as hundreds of supporters of the Heights-based Mickey’s Kids Foundation came together Friday night with the goal of raising funds to help unite a child in need with a very special canine.

Among the many guests at Ill Villaggio in Carlstadt, where the fifth annual “Dancing Under the Stars” gala benefit was held, were some extraordinary dogs – raised and trained by Canine Assistants, a Georgia-based organization that is the main charity which Mickey’s Kids supports.

"It's as though these dogs have psychic powers," said Tom Meli, founder of Mickey's Kids along with his wife Michele, as he explained the many amazing things that Canine Assistants dogs are trained to do. These dogs can sense the oncoming of a seizure for children with epilepsy, open doors and drawers for children in wheelchairs, Meli explained to a roomful of supporters.

Find out what's happening in Hasbrouck Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The support from this event should enable Mickey's Kids to fund a dog for another New Jersey family this year, Meli said.  

Last year’s recipient, , a youngster who has Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, and his dog K.D. (short for K.D. Lang) and family were special guests at the event as well as many other families whose lives have been changed thanks to the work of Canine Assistants. Danny got his dog last spring and the Melis also which donated their services for K.D. for life.

Find out what's happening in Hasbrouck Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lindsey Parete, a nine-year old girl with epilepsy came along with her dog Blaze and her mother Karen. The Paretes frequently visit schools all over the area, and the to help educate kids on the work these service dogs do and how much it has helped Lindsey, who has not had any seizures since her best friend came into her life.

Maggie Miller said it is amazing what her daughter’s Canine Assistants dog Greta has done for Kate. At just 14 years old, Kate began having epileptic seizures. The condition worsened to the point where she would at times have up to 10 a day, her mother said. It was affecting her school work and her whole life. Now Kate is a completely independent and active 21-year old studying medicine in college.  She has been seizure-free since she has had Greta.

Her mother called it “a dream come true.” She got her daughter back and none of it would be possible without Canine Assistants.

The Melis were happy to welcome Jennifer Arnold, the founder of Canine Assistants, who came all the way from George to attend their annual gala. Arnold shared her own tale of what led to the birth of Canine Assistants.

Her own struggles began when she got out of bed one day and fell to the floor. At just 16-years-old she learned she had a quickly advancing case of multiple sclerosis. Her father, who she called her “best friend” learned about a woman in California who was training dogs to help people with illnesses like hers. They did not have the means of travelling across the country to get one of these special dogs so instead her father told her “maybe this is what we are meant to do. If you need a dog on this coast, others do too.” From there the idea of Canine Assistants was born.

Her father worked to get Canine Assistants started. Shortly thereafter he died as a result of a tragic accident. She vowed to never let go of Canine Assistants. That the only way she could get through it all was to fight every day and try to make life a little bit easier for others, she told the audience.

“The dogs you see here tonight, truly love their people,” Arnold said. Then Danny’s dog K.D. helped prove that as he ran right over to him when she saw him enter the dance floor, even though Arnold was holding a palm full of treats.

Meli acknowledged that everyone has their favorite charity but pointed out that if it  happens to be muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis or even veterans services one may as well give to Canine Assistants as they help all those people.

Amidst presentations and speeches, there was an abundance of entertainment. Students  from Academy of Our Lady performed an Irish step dance, appropriate on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day, and a 50s style-swing dance performance.

Singer/songwriter Victoria Quatararo sang an original song she wrote inspired by the children and their Canine Assistants dogs called “Best Friend.” The night also included special performance by American Idol’s Ashley Hollister and Jamar Rogers. Numerous local business contributed items for the Tricky Tray.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here