The story of Dave Skoletsky and Yeager is about much more than a man and his dog. It also happens to be about a young girl, Dave's daughter Eve, who seven years ago was born with Down syndrome. "I experienced what most new parents go through," Dave says, "fear, confusion, and stress about how to navigate and provide the best for my child."

In the coming years, as Dave came to understand the beauty of Down syndrome, he never forgot the support he received from organizations like the MDSC. "We've learned that interventions between birth and age 3 would make the biggest difference for Eve. Being 'in the know' and having access to interventions and support groups was of the utmost importance to us."

The vehicle for Dave's vision is Yeager, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois. Yeager - who Dave found on Craigslist - holds the world record for Extreme Vertical Jumping, leaping 8'4" in the air in official competition. On the "Dock Dogs" circuit, Yeager has won "Rookie of the Year", "Iron Dog" and "Most Inspiring Team."

Dave is so appreciative of the support his family received that he has chosen all of Yeager's winnings to advocate for Down syndrome programs, organizations and causes.

The past year has been especially exciting for Dave and Yeager. Having already appeared on ESPN and the Outdoor Channel, they made an appearance on Late Night with David Letterman. Dave was also honored during the Red Sox's pre-game festivities at Fenway Park, where they played a video of Yeager's amazing feats for Red Sox Nation. Eve even got to announce "Play Ball" to officially start the game. 

We are thrilled that for the second consecutive year, these three remarkable individuals and one remarkable canine will help us officially launch the walk itself with some tricks that are bound amaze!  

Yeager performed tricks at the 2012 Buddy Walk

SKOLETSKY/GRANT FAMILY USES TALENT, DISCIPLINE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Seven years ago, Dave Skoletsky and Sharlene Grant became the parents of a beautiful girl named Eve, who happened to have Down syndrome. It didn't take long for Dave, owner of the Massachusetts Sit Means Sit dog training program, to hit on a way to combine his two passions. 

In honor of his daughter, Dave started a non-profit, Go Team 21, that showcases dogs doing amazing feats to raise money for people with Down syndrome. Last summer at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Dave and his team put on the 2nd Annual "Rock-N-Dock" Festival, which featured three world-record holding dogs, including Dave's own Yeager, the canine world-record holder for extreme vertical. 

All told, they raised $40,000 for Down syndrome programs, including the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. See the two videos below from the Rock-N-Dock festival, including the speech by self-advocate/professional photographer Chris May, who represented the MDSC at the Saturday night main event concert. 

Dave isn't the only member of his family committed to supporting the Down syndrome community. This year, Sharlene (above with Eve) ran the Boston Marathon on behalf of the MDSC, raising more than $5,000 for the organization's programs. When the bombs went off, she was fortunately safe at mile 21, but disappointed she was unable to complete the race she had trained so hard for. Sharlene spoke to the Penobscot Bay Press about how she dealt with the ordeal.