My name is Lila, and I’ve been living with seizures since I was eight years old. I was diagnosed with epilepsy at that age, and just last year, I was also diagnosed with PNES (Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures).

As I prepare to graduate high school and move on to college, my goal is to gain independence while staying safe. Both of my seizure conditions are unpredictable, and high-stress situations can trigger them, making daily life—and especially being alone—dangerous.

Some of my most recent experiences include:

• Being in a full seizure and completely unconscious before I was able to get help, leaving me alone and vulnerable until office staff at school saw me and assisted. Seizures like this raise serious concerns about my ability to maintain my airway and stay safe without immediate assistance.

• Seizing in the shower, which was especially frightening because I had no one around to help.

My family has also made significant sacrifices to ensure I receive the care I need. After a seizure event while on vacation, we relocated to Florida so I could receive treatment at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.

These experiences have left me with a deep awareness of the fear and risk that comes with being alone during a seizure. A trained service dog would be a vital support system, helping me stay safe, grounded, and supported in situations like these.

To help manage my condition and ensure my safety, I am raising funds for a trained seizure response service dog. This dog would be trained to:

• Alert others if I have a seizure

• Help place me on my side if I collapse

• Stay with me during and after seizures

• Help ground me during anxiety or stressful situations

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Service Dog & Training Costs

The funds raised will go directly toward the purchase and professional training of a seizure response service dog.

• A carefully bred, health-tested, temperament-evaluated dog suitable for service work typically costs $5,000–$15,000.

• Specialized medical service dog training—including seizure response, anxiety grounding, and full public access preparation—takes 12–24 months and often costs $30,000–$45,000 or more.

• The total cost of a fully trained seizure response service dog can be upwards of $60,000.

This isn’t just the cost of a dog—it’s the cost of years of safety, independence, and peace of mind for both me and my family as I prepare for college and adulthood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does a seizure response service dog cost so much?

These dogs are highly specialized. They must be carefully selected, health-tested, and trained over 12–24 months to reliably respond to medical emergencies. The cost reflects the expertise, time, and care required to ensure safety.

What does the cost cover?

• The dog itself (health-tested, temperament-evaluated)

• Professional medical service dog training

• Public access training for college and daily life

• Trainer support and evaluations throughout the process

• Specialized equipment used during training

Why not a less expensive dog?

Service dogs must perform reliably during emergencies. Cutting corners on training or temperament could put both the handler and the dog at risk.

Why is a service dog necessary for me?

I live with epilepsy and PNES, which can be triggered by stress and anxiety. Seizures render me completely unconscious and create serious concerns about my airway, which makes immediate support critical. A trained service dog can protect me during seizures, alert others, and help ground me during stressful situations—support that will be essential as I move toward college independence.

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How Funds Will Be Handled

All donations will go directly toward the purchase, training, and necessary equipment for my service dog. Any remaining funds after the dog is fully trained will go toward the dog’s ongoing care, including food and veterinary needs, to ensure it stays healthy and capable of assisting me.

I will provide updates on the dog’s progress, training milestones, and how funds are used so that everyone supporting me can see exactly how their generosity is making a difference.

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Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Every donation, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to a safer, more independent future. Your support means the world to me and my family.

God bless you.

— Lila