What is Tumor Tails?
The idea to sponsor a service dog has been in the works for nearly 2 years. One of our inspirations, Lou Zucker, passed away from a brain tumor over 15 years ago. Since then, his wife, Judy, has sponsored service dogs for veterans, and has been a steadfast supporter of brain tumor research and all things In Love and Song (ILAS). We have decided to honor them both with this service dog initiative.
After an exhaustive search, we’ve found an organization to partner with. SIT Service Dogs operates out of Illinois and trains dogs in an array of fields. We’re going to concentrate on neurological service dogs because they will assist the brain tumor community best. Neurological service dogs, according to the SIT website, can assist with balance, retrieval of dropped items, dressing habits, and many other tasks.
To no one’s surprise, this specialty training is lengthy and expensive. To fully sponsor a dog costs nearly $25,000. That’s a huge goal that we simply can’t accomplish as a newer organization at this point. But what we CAN do is work toward sponsoring a portion of the training to help ease the financial burden for someone!
SIT’s payment plan includes a deposit and 3 further installments over the course of a year, plus graduation expenses. SIT has very graciously agreed to let us take care of the deposit payment ($5,500) and graduation expenses ($2,500) for a patient in need.
This puts In Love and Song at an $8,000 fundraising goal for Tumor Tails!
Participate, Donate, or Paw-tner
How can you assist ILAS in reaching our $8,000 goal for Tumor Tails in 2025?
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Participate in any of our upcoming 2025 events.
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Make a donation in any amount, indicating "Tumor Tails" and your donation will be earmarked (ha!) for service dog costs.
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Become a Paw-tner with a more substantial contribution ($75+) to help us provide the best service dog possible for a patient. You will be recognized (if you wish) on our website and social media platforms.
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Paw-tner Levels:
Patient Paw – $75-$99
Seeing Eye – $100-$149
Alert Ear – $150-$249
Boop Snoot – $250-$499
Happy Tail – $500-$749
Belly Rub – $750-$999
Kind Heart – $1,000+
Participate in an Event
May 9, 2025
August 10, 2025
Nov 1 -Dec 15, 2025
Donate / Paw-tner
Call 908-468-2480 to send a check
Application
Are you or someone you know a brain tumor patient/survivor who could benefit from a service dog to help you gain or maintain independence? ​​​
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This application closes on September 15, 2025, and all applicants will be updated on their status on or before October 15, 2025.
ILAS is working with SIT Service Dogs to partially sponsor a service dog for a brain tumor or brain cancer patient. We have committed to $8,000, which encompasses the down payment ($5,500) and the graduation fee ($2,500). The remaining balance of $16,500 is to be paid by the recipient to SIT Service Dogs within 1 (one) year, as per the company's standard agreement.