Longtime Friends to Race Through Western U.S. to Raise Money for Child in Need of Service Dog

Sophia’s mother, Mellisa Matthews, was moved to tears when she thought about what the race means to her child.

Two longtime friends are about to race hundreds of miles as part of one of their “crazy adventures” and help an Oceanside girl get a service dog at the same time.

Jon Holmquist, 48, of Austin Texas and Bryan Krause, 47, of Littleton, Colorado started off Monday on a 928-bicycle race across the west.

It’s the first time for both of them. Neither is a professional athlete. But there is something that will be pushing them as they pedal through four states.

Her name is Sophia.

The 4-year-old Oceanside girl was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus and Epilepsy after a brain hemorrhage when she was only 2 years old. She could really use a service dog to help her cope with debilitating seizures.

That’s where Holmquist and Krause come in.

As part of this year's "Race Across the West", the cyclists are raising money in partnership with 4 Paws for Ability to get Sophia a service dog.

“Having a dog that can sense seizures when she has those is so important because she can have a better quality of life,” Krause explained.

Sophia’s mother, Mellisa Matthews, was moved to tears when she thought about what the race means to her child.

“These two men have really touched us very deeply because this is really going to open up her world for her,” Matthews said.

When Sophia interacted with service dogs in the past, her symptoms decreased significantly, her mother said.

“It would feel good to know we did something positive out of our crazy adventures,“ Krause said.

As for the race, RAW starts in Oceanside, winds through four states and ends Durango, Colorado.

Holmquist said he and Krause have worked with trainers and nutritionists to get ready for the ride.

“We don’t know what to expect,” he said. “We know whatever plan we came up with is probably going to change.”

Even though it may be physically challenging, Holmquist said, it pales in comparison to what Sophia has learned to overcome.

You can follow the team's progress through the RAW website.

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