Hi, my name is Emma Hofmann, and I am 17 years old. Over the past four years, my health has declined dramatically to the point that I can no longer safely attend school in person. I have been for a while and still am currently working with many doctors and specialists to try to remedy or even just take a little bit of this away. I have been forced to complete my senior year of high school entirely online because most days, I am home-bound and unable to go out or do normal activities other teenagers get to enjoy.

I experience severe medical flares about three times a week and the after effects can last for days. These episodes leave me on the floor, screaming and crying in pain, unable to move without making things worse. Sometimes they happen when I am completely alone. Sometimes they happen in public, which is not only painful it’s terrifying. I never know when a flare will hit, and I’m constantly worried about my safety.

Daily tasks have become incredibly difficult. Just moving can trigger or worsen an episode. I can’t always reach for things I drop or get help fast enough when something goes wrong. At 17, I want independence but right now, I feel trapped.

A medical and mobility service dog would be truly life changing for me. A trained dog could:

• Help stabilize me while walking and prevent falls / lead to to safe spots to rest

• Retrieve items for me when I can’t bend or move

• Assist me during medical episodes and keep me safe

• Provide independence so I can re-enter the world again

This would give me the chance to finish school, attend important events, and live more like a normal teenager and even go to college without fear taking over.

My family is struggling financially, and the cost of a fully trained medical/mobility service dog is far beyond what we can afford on our own. I am applying through Doggiedogood, a highly respected organization. The average cost to train a dog like this is over 22,000 and recipients are asked to deposit 8,000 of that to start the matching process to show seriousness.

That’s why I’m asking for your support.

Every dollar helps me get closer to safety, freedom, and independence.

I dream of being able to go out into the world again, to finish school events, see my friends, go places without fear, and take back the parts of my life that chronic illness has stolen from me.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, supporting, sharing, or even just cheering me on.

With love,

Emma Hofmann