A Service Dog for Nancy's Recovery & Independence

Hello to all. I asked a dear friend to help write up my story, struggles and dreams of independence. Toni Diamond, I can’t thank you enough in expressing what is in my heart of hearts.

 

I can’t remember just when I met Nancy, it seems that I have known her forever. But the truth is, we met when she adopted one of her dogs from me and I transported to her. From there one dog became four dogs and Nancy’s family just seemed to become part of my family through our DIAMOND DOGS! She was always there to say, “I’ll take him in, he needs a home and love” and now, after watching Nancy struggling with her health, I wanted to step up and talk about IT BEING HER TURN to get help! That’s how life should be for people who are always there for others when they are in need.

I honestly don’t know how she has continued “the fight” she has needed in coming back from each and every physical setback.

I don’t know if I can even list all the struggles that she has faced. 

I know heath issues began even before we met with the diagnosis of Crohn’s. Most recently she has suffered.
* Multiple bowel obstructions and surgical revisions.
* Bouts of pancreatitis and recurrent hospital stays 
* In 2018 she had major bowel surgery with massive complications that lead to a 101 day hospital stay
* In 2021 she had a respiratory arrest and was placed on a ventilator leading to a tracheostomy
* And, in 2024 Nancy began life on TPN (temporal parental nutrition) after many complications

. All this has led to recurrent hospitalizations and stays in rehab facilities in hopes of regaining her strength. At this point she now requires either a wheelchair or a walker and has suffered many serious falls. The YEARS of health struggles, and the recent TPN, has resulted in severe depression, anxiety and PTSD. Between December 2023 and April 2025, she was in the hospital approximately 207 days out of 497! Is it any wonder?

 Because of Nancy’s history and her physical and mental health she has been approved for a service dog. Some of the agency’s prices range as high as $60,000 and have an approximate wait list of 4 years. But, luckily there is a local service dog agency offering cost effective psychiatric trained service dogs that provide invaluable support and enhance independence.  This dog will provide motivation for daily activities, also provide grounding and comfort through tactile stimulation and deep pressure therapy. The service dog agency has matched Nancy with Lotus, a black standard poodle priced around $25,000.

NANCY’S NEEDS HELP AND IT’S HER TURN FOR US TO STEP UP AS SHE HAS DONE SO MANY YEARS FOR OTHERS!