Service dog for a veteran

#VeteranPTSDservicedog

Please, can you help a veteran, who served his country, to pay for his medical service dog?

Eric is a 42-year-old veteran suffering from PTSD. He’s also the first military, in North Bay, who was able to have a service dog while he was still in service. Unfortunately, last year, after 23 years of services and 3 deployment, Eric had to leave his dream work because of his PTSD.

After his retirement, Eric was sure he was fine and didn’t need a service dog anymore as he was home and relax but after a few months, he found out the dog was doing more than just working with him every day. Nala is there to encourage him to get up in the Morning and keep him moving during the day. When Nala feels Eric is about to overreact for something or having a short fuse, she will go to see him and lick him until he takes care of her, so it changes Eric’s mind and calm him down. On the other side, when Eric is having a melt down, Nala is always asking him to do something to change his mind. She will also protect Eric from people who are approaching too fast or doesn’t reflect a good vibe while approaching.

Now it’s Nala’s turn to be sick. She’s an 11-year-old German Shepherd mix who suffers from hip dysplasia. She’s also having pancreatitis and Eric almost lost her twice, last year, because of her pancreatic who stopped working. Nala is so devoted to Eric that she’s pushing too much on herself and every time Eric has uncontrolled stress, she will absorb it for him. As soon Eric’s stress is down and he’s feeling better, Nala is having a seizure that’s caused by the stress she absorbed from him. Right now Nala needs to take CBD oil twice a day to be able to walk. It’s also the oil that prevents pancreatitis and slow down the seizure.

Last August my 9-year-old husky died of cancer and since that, Nala is just going downhill. She doesn’t have energy anymore, can’t walk more than a few minutes without having pain and every time she has to get up the stairs, we can tell on her face that she’s having bad pain.

Sadly, it's now time to retired Nala BUT, because of Covid-19, there is no service dog available. Most ''rescued'' dog has behavior issues or trauma because of owners who ''throw'' them away during Covid. Most also have limited socialization because of quarantine and lockdown. So, the only way Eric can have a GOOD service dog is by going with a breeder who has months and months of waiting list.

Last week Eric got a call from the service dog trainer who talked with a friend (a breeder). That breeder is awesome and put Eric's name up the list. The problem is that the dog is expensive ($2500) and Eric doesn't have that money right now. He might have it in 2 months or so but the dog will be ready in 3 weeks.

 Eric was looking to wait for the next litter, in summer time, but Nala is too sick and she needs to be able to teach the puppy how to be a good service dog and more Eric’s wait, less Nala will be able to do it. I looked for organizations who normally help but because of Covid, they don’t have the funds to help him.

This is where I’m asking for your help. Please, can you help a veteran, who served his country, to pay for his medical service dog? The training will be paid by the Citadel Canine so I’m only asking enough money to be able to pay the dog. I will provide all the proof of payments and also show pictures when I have some. If I get more than Eric needs, that money will go for Nala’s veterinarian bill, for pain medications for her hips, and also for the puppy booster.

Thank you SO MUCH for your help…