Combat Vet's Service Dog Needs Treatment
Donation protected
Hi, My name is Matt Benoist. I'm writing because "Libby",
my service dog, needs help. I am a disabled veteran who suffered a traumatic
brain injury "TBI" and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
"PTSD" among other injuries from a blast incurred while serving overseas
in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. When I returned home things just weren't the
same. I dealt with nightmares, anger, agoraphobia, short- term memory loss,
sleeplessness and depression. For several years I, like many, went without
help. One day it all caught up with me and I checked myself into a treatment
program at the VA designed to help returning vets deal with these very issues --
and it saved my life. During this time I was exposed to and discovered how
great a service dog could be when suffering from these issues so I set out to
find a service dog of my own -- and I found Libby.
Libby is 5 year old Golden Retriever, and what I found in her was that she seemed to already know what I needed. If I ask her to "block" for me she stands between me and any person I am conversing with; she alerts me when someone walks up behind me so I am not startled when approached; she finds my car when I forget where I've parked, and wakes me up when I'm having nightmares to comfort me until I can get back to sleep. Most of all she knows when I am having a panic attack and helps calm me down. She is so good at her job that now my wife knows when something is wrong or I've had a bad day because Libby just sits and stares at me, lifting my hand and urging me to pet her for comfort. Everyday Libby is selfless in her love and devotion to me, and now it is my turn to be there for Libby::.
Libby's right rear leg has suddenly become paralyzed. I took her to the vet for x-rays and found that she has an impinged nerve or nerves in her back from a slipped disk. The doctor put her on prednisone in hopes she would bounce back, but so far there has been very little improvement. Her leg drags behind her and she still needs help getting up to go out to relieve herself. Thus I have found myself in a position to ask for help for Libby. She needs physical therapy and possible surgery and I am not in a financial position to fully pay for her care. I cannot imagine my life without her nor doing all that I can for her, as she has done for me. So I am reaching out to my friends, family and dog lover community for assistance.
Her care will most likely exceed $2000 so I am asking for donations. If she responds well and does not need surgery it could be less, in which case any exceeding money will be donated to the organization: America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps www.vetdogs.org , who train dogs like Libby. Any amount ($5, $10, $20:..) is immensely appreciated and I am humbled by your support!
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information
Gratefully,
Matt Benoist
Libby is 5 year old Golden Retriever, and what I found in her was that she seemed to already know what I needed. If I ask her to "block" for me she stands between me and any person I am conversing with; she alerts me when someone walks up behind me so I am not startled when approached; she finds my car when I forget where I've parked, and wakes me up when I'm having nightmares to comfort me until I can get back to sleep. Most of all she knows when I am having a panic attack and helps calm me down. She is so good at her job that now my wife knows when something is wrong or I've had a bad day because Libby just sits and stares at me, lifting my hand and urging me to pet her for comfort. Everyday Libby is selfless in her love and devotion to me, and now it is my turn to be there for Libby::.
Libby's right rear leg has suddenly become paralyzed. I took her to the vet for x-rays and found that she has an impinged nerve or nerves in her back from a slipped disk. The doctor put her on prednisone in hopes she would bounce back, but so far there has been very little improvement. Her leg drags behind her and she still needs help getting up to go out to relieve herself. Thus I have found myself in a position to ask for help for Libby. She needs physical therapy and possible surgery and I am not in a financial position to fully pay for her care. I cannot imagine my life without her nor doing all that I can for her, as she has done for me. So I am reaching out to my friends, family and dog lover community for assistance.
Her care will most likely exceed $2000 so I am asking for donations. If she responds well and does not need surgery it could be less, in which case any exceeding money will be donated to the organization: America's VetDogs the Veterans K-9 Corps www.vetdogs.org , who train dogs like Libby. Any amount ($5, $10, $20:..) is immensely appreciated and I am humbled by your support!
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like additional information
Gratefully,
Matt Benoist
Organizer
Matt Benoist
Organizer
Waco, TX
