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My name is Sam Coyes and I am 25 years old.
I have been living with epilepsy for the last 5 years.
In that period of time I have had over 20 Grand Mal Seizures, had over 20 shoulder dislocations, have fallen and cut my head open, have been in coma, and have had a bone graft surgery to rebuild my damaged shoulder.
There is no cure for Epilepsy, but when I am able to control my stress levels my seizures reduce in frequency, and subside.
I am fundraising for the costs of my Epilepsy/Emotional Support Dog, in hopes that he will help control my stress to the point that I am able to minimize, or eliminate, my seizures.
After a lot of research into breeds, I settled on an English Bulldog. They are a medium sized, low-energy, breed that are known for having a very gentle, calm demeanor, bonding very closely with their master, and not needing a lot of exercise. These attributes make them an ideal emotional support dog for someone living with Epilepsy.
After further research into breeders I found Universal Rare Bulldogs (http://www.universalrarebulldogs.com) in Chilliwack, B.C., where the dog's health is the priority in the breeding process. Universal Rare Bulldogs is also very supportive in helping to set a precedent for using English Bulldogs as Emotion-Support dogs.
Universal Bulldogs has already donated towards the campaign.
Unfortunately, in Canada, there is not an adequate government program to provided Seizure Response/Emotional Support dogs. However, you can train an Emotional Support Dog privately and get them certified.
I am trying to set a precedent, leading to a government-funded program, for English Bulldogs to be used as Personal/Emotional Support Dogs for people with neurological disabilities.
The Lions Club of Canada handles training Guide dogs in Canada, and does a very good job. However, using guide dogs as a Seizure-Reponses/Emotional-Support Dog doesn’t work. I have talked to a number of people suffering from epilepsy who haves obtained a dog through this program.
They all say that they love their pet, but that they don’t do a good job as a Support Dog.
Also, the Lions Club only trains Labs and Poodles as support dogs, and these dogs make a very “high-maintenance” pet.
Being a 25-year-old living with a condition that sometimes leaves me incapacitated, I knew that a “high-maintenance” pet was the last thing I needed.
What I needed was a “low-maintenance” companion to help me reduce my stress, and be there for emotional support in case I do have another seizure.
Because there is not a government program for funding an Epilepsy-Emotional Support Dog, and I have not been able to work for the past 5 years, I have started this private fundraising campaign for the costs of my Support Dog.
-Purebred English Bulldog puppy: $3000
- Advanced Obedience Training: $2000
-Food and Necessities $50 per Month, multiplied by 12 months ($600), multiplied by 7 years: - $4200
-Health Insurance $40 per Month, multiplied by 12 months ($480), multiplied by 7 years: - $3360
=$12,560.00
- $1500.00 (donated by my parents and the Bulldog breeder)
**TOTAL**
$11,060.00
I have been living with epilepsy for the last 5 years.
In that period of time I have had over 20 Grand Mal Seizures, had over 20 shoulder dislocations, have fallen and cut my head open, have been in coma, and have had a bone graft surgery to rebuild my damaged shoulder.
There is no cure for Epilepsy, but when I am able to control my stress levels my seizures reduce in frequency, and subside.
I am fundraising for the costs of my Epilepsy/Emotional Support Dog, in hopes that he will help control my stress to the point that I am able to minimize, or eliminate, my seizures.
After a lot of research into breeds, I settled on an English Bulldog. They are a medium sized, low-energy, breed that are known for having a very gentle, calm demeanor, bonding very closely with their master, and not needing a lot of exercise. These attributes make them an ideal emotional support dog for someone living with Epilepsy.
After further research into breeders I found Universal Rare Bulldogs (http://www.universalrarebulldogs.com) in Chilliwack, B.C., where the dog's health is the priority in the breeding process. Universal Rare Bulldogs is also very supportive in helping to set a precedent for using English Bulldogs as Emotion-Support dogs.
Universal Bulldogs has already donated towards the campaign.
Unfortunately, in Canada, there is not an adequate government program to provided Seizure Response/Emotional Support dogs. However, you can train an Emotional Support Dog privately and get them certified.
I am trying to set a precedent, leading to a government-funded program, for English Bulldogs to be used as Personal/Emotional Support Dogs for people with neurological disabilities.
The Lions Club of Canada handles training Guide dogs in Canada, and does a very good job. However, using guide dogs as a Seizure-Reponses/Emotional-Support Dog doesn’t work. I have talked to a number of people suffering from epilepsy who haves obtained a dog through this program.
They all say that they love their pet, but that they don’t do a good job as a Support Dog.
Also, the Lions Club only trains Labs and Poodles as support dogs, and these dogs make a very “high-maintenance” pet.
Being a 25-year-old living with a condition that sometimes leaves me incapacitated, I knew that a “high-maintenance” pet was the last thing I needed.
What I needed was a “low-maintenance” companion to help me reduce my stress, and be there for emotional support in case I do have another seizure.
Because there is not a government program for funding an Epilepsy-Emotional Support Dog, and I have not been able to work for the past 5 years, I have started this private fundraising campaign for the costs of my Support Dog.
-Purebred English Bulldog puppy: $3000
- Advanced Obedience Training: $2000
-Food and Necessities $50 per Month, multiplied by 12 months ($600), multiplied by 7 years: - $4200
-Health Insurance $40 per Month, multiplied by 12 months ($480), multiplied by 7 years: - $3360
=$12,560.00
- $1500.00 (donated by my parents and the Bulldog breeder)
**TOTAL**
$11,060.00