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A Cherokee County nonprofit organization is seeking donations to help the daughter of a Canton Police Department officer obtain a guide dog.

Paws for Disabilities, formerly Meals Fur Pets, is spearheading a campaign to raise $20,000 for a guide dog for Canton Police Public Information Officer Cpl. Stacy Bailey's 7-year-old daughter, Ansley.

Ansley suffers from neuronal migration disorder, a disorder of the nervous system that can result in structural abnormalities in the brain, and bilateral retinal temporal colobomas, a brain and eye disorder.

Considered legally blind, Ansley can barely write and has a tendency to wander off with strangers, Cpl. Bailey said.

The guide dog, according to Cpl. Bailey, would help her daughter get around and alert people of Ansley's disabilities. It also would help Cpl. Bailey determine if her daughter is about to have a seizure.

"It's a big safety thing," she said.

Steve Monahan, executive director and founder of Paws for Disabilities, said he was inspired to help raise money by Cpl. Bailey's persistence in living a positive life.

"Despite all the challenges, she's made her life positive," he said.

The campaign is set to officially kick off on June 1, but two organizations already have donated funds to the cause.

Monahan said the Bradshaw Farm Women's League gave $1,000 to the campaign.

The Cherokee County Republican Women's Club gave an undisclosed amount of money, said President Lori Pesta of Towne Lake.

Monahan also said he and his wife, Lynne, gave $100 toward the campaign.

So far, the entire campaign has raised $1,270.

Kristy Cole, Ansley's babysitter since last August, said having a guide dog would give the 7-year-old some responsibility "because she loves doing stuff on her own."

Monahan said while the campaign's main purpose is to provide Ansley with a guide dog, the broader cause is to get more dogs trained to provide services for special needs children.

"In the past four to five years, great strides have been made to train dogs to let those with disabilities lead a better life," he said.

Mrs. Pesta said the community at large should be concerned about "any children who could benefit from having a guide dog."

Cpl. Bailey said she sees the campaign as being about bettering the lives of all children, adding she is thankful for everyone who is helping with it.

"I'm grateful for it because there are a lot of people who care about my child and they don't even know me," she said.

kdixon@cherokeetribune.com

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