Jennifer Thompson Trepanier is no stranger to chronic illnesses. When she was 12, Jennifer was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare disease that caused her immune system to attack her muscles. For months she couldn't get out of bed and even had trouble swallowing. After four years, she finally went into remission, but her early twenties brought a wave of unexplained fevers and joint pains that lasted three years.
In light of these treacherous experiences, Jennifer knew she wanted to help people who spent their lives fighting serious illnesses. "I was on Facebook, and I saw this video of puppies being piled on people," Jennifer told TODAY. "I said, that's what I want to bring to people who are sick and dying... a light in the darkness."
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