Hello Everyone!
As some of you may already know, I was diagnosed with a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in 2016. Years prior to my diagnosis- I was experiencing many fainting episodes and was misdiagnosed with vasovagal syncope.
In 2016, I went to Ohio State where they performed tests to get my official diagnosis of POTS. During my test, my blood pressure dropped to 69/14 and my heart rate went up to 150 during this episode and that’s when I received my diagnosis. I also underwent a heart cath where they discovered an electrical issue and a small hole in my heart.
My POTs causes fatigue, brain fog, migraines, tingling in my hands, vision loss, and, most problematic, dizziness and fainting. Many of you have seen me learn how to cope with this illness the best I can, but I am always in danger of fainting and hurting myself.
My recent MRI of my neck shows herniations of my c spine in several areas and degenerative disc disease from fainting so often; My X-ray was comparable to that of a severe car accident.
Due to my postural orthostatic tachycardia, my Doctors at OSU recommended that I apply for a cardiac alert Service Dog from Canine Partners for Life to prevent episodes before they happen. I have been on the waiting list for almost 4 years. Very unexpectedly, last month I got a call to meet and work with three dogs to see if one would be a match. While working with one of the dogs, Jersey, she walked in front of me to stop and warn me that I was getting ready to have an episode BEFORE I even felt it coming on.
But I was told that there was no guarantee that I would even be matched this year. So Zach and I headed back on our 9 hour drive home.
On April 22nd, I got the life changing phone call- that Jersey and I are a perfect match.
With Jersey by my side, she will be able to alert me to my syncope, giving me the ability to prevent a fainting spell BEFORE it happens so that I can sit or get myself to a safe place. I cannot begin to describe the reassurance this new partnership will provide me and the comfort it will bring to my husband and my three boys.
With the gift of Jersey, comes a lot of financial expenses. Jersey and I will meet and train for two weeks together this June in Pennsylvania, where we will learn about each other and become partners. During those two weeks, I need to cover the cost of various training field trips, travel expenses, lodging, dog food, and a very long list of service dog supplies. Canine Partners asked for me to only pay for a fraction of the $30,000 it cost to train Jersey over the last two years. This is where I would appreciate your help! My goal is to raise $6,000 to help cover these costs.
If you do not feel comfortable paying online, there is another way to donate. You can write a check payable to Canine Partners for Life (It is tax deductible for you) and send it to me: MSG me for my address :) (Do not put my name on the check if you want it to be tax deductible!)
With your donation- I would love to send you a POTS awareness bracelet if you would like one. Please PM me or comment where I can send your bracelet so that we can bring more awareness to this invisible illness!
Canine Partners for Life has over 30 years of experience training service dogs. They have paired dozens of dogs with individuals with my exact condition and many have been able to prevent cardiac episodes all together because of their service dog's alerts. You can see NBC’s Brian Williams talk about them at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPfEqt9D5As .
I would also be more than happy to answer any questions or provide more information about the organization if you'd like. You can learn more about Canine Partners for Life at https://k94life.org/ .
Thank you so much for your time and consideration and support! Your kindness means so much to me in my time of need and I appreciate every little bit. 
