Reward for Gigi, LI Vet's Missing Service Dog, Up to $15,000

NORTH FORK, NY — A caring community continues to rally to help bring home missing North Fork veteran service dog Gigi — Kate's Angels recently donated $5,000, bringing the reward to $15,000 for his safe return Gigi's.

Kait's Angels is a nonprofit group formed after former Mattituck Strawberry Queen Kaitlyn Doorhy, 20, died while away at college in 2014, and has helped many North Fork residents. Through fundraisers including a Designer Wingo Handbag event, a Poker Run and an annual yard sale, the group has raised funds to reach out with a full heart and help residents facing health crises and other challenges — and has worked to install the Buddy Benches throughout the North Fork and beyond, so a child never needs to sit alone.

Joe Doorhy, Kaitlyn's father, spoke with Patch about why the team decided to help search for Gigi. He said he called the DiSilvio family and spoke with Michael DiSilvio, who battles anxiety and PTSD. A combat vet, he served with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY. He later served at Fort Drum in Jefferson County, New York, said Michael's wife Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio.

“I spoke to Mike and it was heartbreaking – he started crying,” Doorhy said.

The entire DiSilvio family has been devastated since Gigi, just a year and a half old when she was last seen, went missing July 15 on Marratooka Lane in Mattituck.

The heavy weight of loss is something the Doorhys have endured since losing their beloved daughter, Joe said. now, they feel compelled to help the DiSilvios in their quest. Joe said he brought the idea of ​​donating funds to the Kait's Angels board, which agreed to help.

“We want to do something to revitalize research,” he said.

He added that since Gigi's disappearance, videos have been circulating on social media of someone removing the “missing” posters from poles in the wee hours of the night. “I'm convinced she was stolen,” he said. “We want to get that story back out there.”

Kathleen said the new donation from Kait's Angels has filled her family's hearts with joy. “They do so much, for so many people,” he said. “The fact that they chose us and even know about Gigi is amazing!”

Until the donation from Kait's Angels, donations had reached $10,000 as a hometown has come together and pooled its resources in a desperate attempt to find Gigi.

Nancy Blasko of Mattituck started the effort. “Somebody knows something. Somebody knows who took down the signs all over the North Fork. They didn't take them down for no reason,” he said.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to find Gigi.

Those organizing the effort say no questions will be asked – all they want is if anyone has Gigi, bring her home safely.

Blasko pledged $1,000 of her own money to offer as a reward. “She didn't just disappear! It might even be your neighbor who has her. This is our local veteran from our town. This is a service dog and a family pet. For the person who has her — no one knows that it's you, just leave her at home. Do the right thing.”

Soon, in a heartfelt scene, friends and neighbors, some of whom have never even met Gigi, began commenting on the Facebook post, offering their own donations.

Someone offered $500. Other, $50. One woman said she didn't have much to give but would like to donate $25 to bring Gigi home. One after another the donations came pouring in, an outpouring of love and hometown spirit, with the belief that if love is enough, Gigi will soon be home, in the arms of her adoring family.

Kathleen Stewart DiSilvio said Gigi is a black Labrador Retriever. Her voice filled with tears, DiSilvio said, while it's hard to talk — the grief and longing are still very real and raw — but she and her family want Gigi's story to stay out there, so the search can continue. . They have to, he said – because in their hearts, they believe she is alive and waiting to be reunited with her family.

Blasko said after reading a recent Patch article about Gigi, who has now been missing for nearly seven months, she felt compelled to help.

“It breaks my heart to see Kathleen, Mike and their children hurt,” she said. “I talk to Kathleen often. I just felt like we needed to get this out… My heart feels like it's close. Someone knows something and they just don't. I'm praying hard for Kathleen and her family. I'm praying for the person who knows something or he has her, he'll just return her.”

There's another reason Blasko wanted to do something to help. “20 years ago, when my mom was sick with cancer, the community donated to her, to help with her medication and when she needed a car. The church family came and helped. It's my turn to help a friend.”

DiSilvio said the family is also working with the “Missing Angels – Long Island” Facebook group. If Gigi is found and the person who returns her doesn't want the reward, the money raised will go to a charity looking to give back after such a huge outpouring of love.

The search for Gigi was long and fraught with pitfalls, including false sightings and the many, many “missing” posters that were constantly and mysteriously removed.

Because despite the many long days and nights without her, DiSilvio and her family never stopped believing that one day, Gigi would come home.” I never felt like she wasn't around anymore. I truly believe she's out there ,” he said.

DiSilvio and her family want to thank the many who have come forward to help by making and posting flyers, sharing Gigi's photo and story on social media, and fundraising for the search.

“I have people pull up in cars in front of our house and just pray,” she said. The prayer groups also remember Gigi when they meet, she said.

“All of us in our hearts — we believe she's alive,” he said. “Every day I wake up, I feel like today could be the day.”

If you see Gigi or would like to donate to the reward fund, please call or text 516-443-4902.