Hi, I’m Julienna

I’m 13 years old, and I’m starting this GoFundMe because I really need some extra support in my life right now — and I believe an emotional support dog could help me more than words can explain.

Over the last few years, I’ve been going through a lot of changes. Some have been amazing, and others have been super overwhelming. Even though I usually look like a happy, outgoing teen on the outside, on the inside I struggle every single day with intense anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and emotions that can feel way too big for my body to hold.

Sometimes, things like bright lights, loud noises, busy places, or just too many feelings at once can make me shut down, zone out, or feel like I want to hide away. I often mask how I really feel to “seem normal” — but it’s really exhausting. I want to feel calm and safe in my body again. I want to be able to go places and do things without the fear of spiraling inside.

With the help of my mom (who seriously knows me better than anyone), we’ve been learning more about anxiety, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and how ADHD affects my nervous system. One thing that really stood out is how an emotional support dog could make a huge difference in helping me feel grounded, calm, and not so alone in the world.

But this isn’t just about me getting help.

Something amazing happened when I started looking into this… I realized I’m actually really curious about how animals help people — and I want to learn everything I can about dogs, training, and even maybe one day become a dog trainer myself!

This dog won’t just support me… we’ll grow together, and I’ll get to learn how to care for them in return. This is the beginning of a journey that could change my life in more ways than I ever imagined.

So I’m asking for help.

I’m trying to raise funds to:

• Get my dream Dachshund pup (who will be trained as my emotional support dog)

• Cover the beginning phases of training and supplies

• Have support for unexpected costs (like vet bills, proper gear, and learning materials)

It feels scary to share this part of me, but it also feels brave — because I know I’m not the only teen going through these things. I just want to feel safe, regulated, and able to enjoy life again. And I believe this dog will be a huge part of that healing.

Thank you SO much for reading my story, for supporting me in any way, and for helping me feel like my feelings and dreams matter.

Love,

Julienna