A Service Dog for Triton
Donation protected
This account is being created in hopes of finding help for a very special 12 year old little boy, named Triton. Despite everything this child has recently been through, he still has an infectious smile and compassion for others that is truly an inspiration. The short story is this go fund me account is being created to help him get to Orlando, where he has a service dog waiting to help give him back some of what he has lost through tragedies.
You can continue reading for more details about Triton’s story, but first I will explain our immediate need.
Recently, Triton was blessed with an amazing gift. He was matched with a service dog, in Orlando, FL, who is completing her PTSD/ADHD training. We are in the process of making arrangements with a generous donor that will sponsor the cost of both the dog and her training, but Triton and his mom must be able to travel to Orlando, FL for 2 weeks of training with her. Unfortunately, since leaving her job, to homeschool Triton and get him back and forth to doctor’s appointments, both locally and at Shriner's in TX, his mom cannot afford the costs involved with such a trip. Due to the lack of financial resources, resulting from trying to recover from the flood and being unable to work, plus the high cost of accommodations in Orlando, Triton's mom isn't able to afford the trip, which is required for Triton to receive this dog. The organization providing the dog is highly recommended and a very reputable company. The 2 week trip is required to teach Triton and his family how the dog will respond, how to react, and how to make sure her and Triton will be able to help each other. You can feel free to contact one of us personally to get more information.
The money obtained in this account will be used for housing/hotel costs for the 2 weeks Triton and his mother will be there for training, travel expenses from his home in Ascension Parish, Louisiana to Orlando, Florida, food & incidentals during their stay and 2 (maybe 3) day passes to Disney World where they will do the final stages of training. The program trains at Disney, because it is considered a high stress environment, where both the dog and handler can work together in a situation that presents many challenges. It allows the interaction between him and his dog to be fine-tuned and helps develop their bond as a working team, where they can learn to depend on one another. It has been suggested the cost of this 2 week trip could run about $5,000, but sadly, that is not something Triton's mom can afford and it may cost him a chance at regaining his independence.
This amazing little guy deserves this chance, more than anyone I know. He has been through such terrible tragedies in his short life. Regardless of how he has suffered and what he has endured, Triton has remained an inspiration to others, through his willingness to help others in their time of need. From attending burn camp, raising money for other burn victims, to helping flood victims, when he himself was one, Triton exemplifies compassion and humanitarianism and I can't think of anyone else who is more deserving of our help. There is no doubt, if he is able to partner with a service dog, Triton will flourish and continue to make a difference in the lives of everyone he comes in contact with, just as he has in the past.
If you can assist in helping Triton get to Orlando for the required 2 week training, I would be (and I know he & his family would be) eternally grateful. I appreciate any help or suggestions you may be able to give, that may make this opportunity a reality for one deserving boy. Thank you for your time & please do not hesitate to contact myself or Melissa if you have any questions or can help in any way. Again, thank you for considering helping Triton regain the happy, healthy life he deserves!
Now for his story. In 2014, Triton Bercegeay was a normal, happy 9 year old little boy, who loved the outdoors. On July 30, 2014, he suffered life threatening burns, in a horrific accident, resulting from a gas fire. With severe burns covering his torso and legs he was admitted to the Baton Rouge General's Pediatric ICU's Burn Unit. There, he was rushed into emergency surgery, and underwent multiple skin grafts and painful debridements, while fighting for his life. As doctors tried to control his pain, the medicines wreaked havoc on his tiny liver, causing damage that still remains today. This terrible accident not only left his body scarred with permanent reminders, but it also left his mind fighting an ongoing battle with PTSD, ADHD, Impulse Control Disorder and other psychological conditions. With the support of his mom, brother, sister, and his close knit family, Triton was able to return to a somewhat normal life, at least normal for a burn victim, but only for a short time.
Unfortunately, the Great Flood of 2016 changed all of that, in the blink of an eye. The family land, where his home, his grandparent's home and his 2 uncles' homes were all located, received massive flooding, displacing his entire family. Little Triton witnessed every single possession, of his loved ones, be washed away with the raging flood waters. He watched the flood waters creep up to his front door. Everything he ever knew was suddenly washed away, as he watched helplessly. He watched as family, friends and rescuers struggled to pull his beloved animals to safety. He watched the ones that weren't able to be saved, perish in the flood water. He saw the total loss of his grandparents & uncles homes. He would spend days thinking his home was completely lost too and would eventually return to find his home with water damage, but thankfully salvageable. This little boy, who had already been through so much, witnessed everything he knew and loved be forever changed on that dreadful August day.
In the days immediately following the flood, I found out they were living in the barn at Lamar Dixon, which opened up its gates for the hundreds or thousands of displaced animals during this tragedy. This family stayed there on the concrete isles of the barn so they could care for their animals that were evacuated there. The animals were all they had left and they were dedicated to staying with them, to ensure they were cared for. Over the next few weeks, Triton and his family became a life line between the animals being sheltered at Lamar Dixon and those of us assisting with rescue efforts. They were an essential part of helping us get much needed supplies to the animals and families that desperately needed them. Despite their own loss, this family spent 21 days and nights outside, in a barn, caring for the surviving flood animals at Lamar Dixon Expo Center. During the next few months, we learned more about this family, and how much they had persevered through and overcome.
Sadly, it wasn't long before the trauma and devastation that Triton witnessed took a toll on him. His family quickly began noticing changes in his emotional wellbeing and behavior. By January 2017, it all came to a head. Triton's PTSD had been triggered from the horrors he witnessed during the flood. This sweet child, who worried not for himself but for others, was now once again struggling to deal with the traumatic events in his life and was having significant setbacks. He was admitted to a local hospital for 8 days, after a serious PTSD episode. Upon discharge, he was sent back to Shriner's Hospital in Galveston, TX, where he had been treated after his accident. At Shriner's, his doctors adjusted his medications, and made some recommendations to help him cope with the flood's aftermath. Doctors recommended continued counseling, bi-monthly to monthly visits at Shriner's, homeschooling (to help reduce his stress levels) and getting a psychiatric service dog, trained for PTSD and ADHD, to help with his coping mechanisms, which would allow him more independence. When he returned to Louisiana, his mom resigned from her job, so she could focus on his needs. He was taken out of traditional school, began homeschooling and together, they began searching for a service dog.
We have had several people mention they can help by offering room and board during their stay in Orlando, park admission passes, and more. If you are able to help in that way rather than donating money, please feel free to contact us so we can make those arrangements. We feel thoroughly blessed for the responses we have had already, and I can personally say I believe God has a great plan for this little boy and his future.
Sincerely,
Melissa Seal & Jennifer Etheridge
You can continue reading for more details about Triton’s story, but first I will explain our immediate need.
Recently, Triton was blessed with an amazing gift. He was matched with a service dog, in Orlando, FL, who is completing her PTSD/ADHD training. We are in the process of making arrangements with a generous donor that will sponsor the cost of both the dog and her training, but Triton and his mom must be able to travel to Orlando, FL for 2 weeks of training with her. Unfortunately, since leaving her job, to homeschool Triton and get him back and forth to doctor’s appointments, both locally and at Shriner's in TX, his mom cannot afford the costs involved with such a trip. Due to the lack of financial resources, resulting from trying to recover from the flood and being unable to work, plus the high cost of accommodations in Orlando, Triton's mom isn't able to afford the trip, which is required for Triton to receive this dog. The organization providing the dog is highly recommended and a very reputable company. The 2 week trip is required to teach Triton and his family how the dog will respond, how to react, and how to make sure her and Triton will be able to help each other. You can feel free to contact one of us personally to get more information.
The money obtained in this account will be used for housing/hotel costs for the 2 weeks Triton and his mother will be there for training, travel expenses from his home in Ascension Parish, Louisiana to Orlando, Florida, food & incidentals during their stay and 2 (maybe 3) day passes to Disney World where they will do the final stages of training. The program trains at Disney, because it is considered a high stress environment, where both the dog and handler can work together in a situation that presents many challenges. It allows the interaction between him and his dog to be fine-tuned and helps develop their bond as a working team, where they can learn to depend on one another. It has been suggested the cost of this 2 week trip could run about $5,000, but sadly, that is not something Triton's mom can afford and it may cost him a chance at regaining his independence.
This amazing little guy deserves this chance, more than anyone I know. He has been through such terrible tragedies in his short life. Regardless of how he has suffered and what he has endured, Triton has remained an inspiration to others, through his willingness to help others in their time of need. From attending burn camp, raising money for other burn victims, to helping flood victims, when he himself was one, Triton exemplifies compassion and humanitarianism and I can't think of anyone else who is more deserving of our help. There is no doubt, if he is able to partner with a service dog, Triton will flourish and continue to make a difference in the lives of everyone he comes in contact with, just as he has in the past.
If you can assist in helping Triton get to Orlando for the required 2 week training, I would be (and I know he & his family would be) eternally grateful. I appreciate any help or suggestions you may be able to give, that may make this opportunity a reality for one deserving boy. Thank you for your time & please do not hesitate to contact myself or Melissa if you have any questions or can help in any way. Again, thank you for considering helping Triton regain the happy, healthy life he deserves!
Now for his story. In 2014, Triton Bercegeay was a normal, happy 9 year old little boy, who loved the outdoors. On July 30, 2014, he suffered life threatening burns, in a horrific accident, resulting from a gas fire. With severe burns covering his torso and legs he was admitted to the Baton Rouge General's Pediatric ICU's Burn Unit. There, he was rushed into emergency surgery, and underwent multiple skin grafts and painful debridements, while fighting for his life. As doctors tried to control his pain, the medicines wreaked havoc on his tiny liver, causing damage that still remains today. This terrible accident not only left his body scarred with permanent reminders, but it also left his mind fighting an ongoing battle with PTSD, ADHD, Impulse Control Disorder and other psychological conditions. With the support of his mom, brother, sister, and his close knit family, Triton was able to return to a somewhat normal life, at least normal for a burn victim, but only for a short time.
Unfortunately, the Great Flood of 2016 changed all of that, in the blink of an eye. The family land, where his home, his grandparent's home and his 2 uncles' homes were all located, received massive flooding, displacing his entire family. Little Triton witnessed every single possession, of his loved ones, be washed away with the raging flood waters. He watched the flood waters creep up to his front door. Everything he ever knew was suddenly washed away, as he watched helplessly. He watched as family, friends and rescuers struggled to pull his beloved animals to safety. He watched the ones that weren't able to be saved, perish in the flood water. He saw the total loss of his grandparents & uncles homes. He would spend days thinking his home was completely lost too and would eventually return to find his home with water damage, but thankfully salvageable. This little boy, who had already been through so much, witnessed everything he knew and loved be forever changed on that dreadful August day.
In the days immediately following the flood, I found out they were living in the barn at Lamar Dixon, which opened up its gates for the hundreds or thousands of displaced animals during this tragedy. This family stayed there on the concrete isles of the barn so they could care for their animals that were evacuated there. The animals were all they had left and they were dedicated to staying with them, to ensure they were cared for. Over the next few weeks, Triton and his family became a life line between the animals being sheltered at Lamar Dixon and those of us assisting with rescue efforts. They were an essential part of helping us get much needed supplies to the animals and families that desperately needed them. Despite their own loss, this family spent 21 days and nights outside, in a barn, caring for the surviving flood animals at Lamar Dixon Expo Center. During the next few months, we learned more about this family, and how much they had persevered through and overcome.
Sadly, it wasn't long before the trauma and devastation that Triton witnessed took a toll on him. His family quickly began noticing changes in his emotional wellbeing and behavior. By January 2017, it all came to a head. Triton's PTSD had been triggered from the horrors he witnessed during the flood. This sweet child, who worried not for himself but for others, was now once again struggling to deal with the traumatic events in his life and was having significant setbacks. He was admitted to a local hospital for 8 days, after a serious PTSD episode. Upon discharge, he was sent back to Shriner's Hospital in Galveston, TX, where he had been treated after his accident. At Shriner's, his doctors adjusted his medications, and made some recommendations to help him cope with the flood's aftermath. Doctors recommended continued counseling, bi-monthly to monthly visits at Shriner's, homeschooling (to help reduce his stress levels) and getting a psychiatric service dog, trained for PTSD and ADHD, to help with his coping mechanisms, which would allow him more independence. When he returned to Louisiana, his mom resigned from her job, so she could focus on his needs. He was taken out of traditional school, began homeschooling and together, they began searching for a service dog.
We have had several people mention they can help by offering room and board during their stay in Orlando, park admission passes, and more. If you are able to help in that way rather than donating money, please feel free to contact us so we can make those arrangements. We feel thoroughly blessed for the responses we have had already, and I can personally say I believe God has a great plan for this little boy and his future.
Sincerely,
Melissa Seal & Jennifer Etheridge
Organizer and beneficiary
Jennifer Etheridge
Organizer
Walker, LA
Brandi Brignac
Beneficiary