Help train a service dog.
My name is Hans Arendtsen. I have been fortunate enough to receive a golden retriever puppy that has been donated to be my service dog, and Pawtner. However, training a service dog costs an average $25,000, all depending on the job it must do. But I am not asking for that much. I have set the goal amount at $10,000, because I know this is reachable. I also believe we can surpass this goal, because I know a lot people out there that are willing to help in any way they can.
This service dog will help me in many ways. Most of all, it will help me feel more independent. For example, opening and closing doors. He can help me when I get triggered and begin to go into a downward spiral. When I hear a loud noise, he can help calm me when I feel anxious. In general, dogs bring happiness, and this dog is going to change my life. Please find it in your hearts to help me. Even $20 goes a long way. For those of you that don't know my story…
On July 1st, 2017, I lost the love of my life, Nereida (Neri) Villanueva, to a horrific act of violence by her ex-husband. While dropping off their seven-year-old daughter, he entered her apartment, kicked the bedroom door in, and shot us while we were sleeping. Neri passed away before paramedics arrived. One of the bullets hit my spine, at the C-6, C-7 vertebrae, severing my spinal cord completely. Thus, leaving me paralyzed from the shoulders down. Unfortunately, the two kids were in the house when this happened. They immediately fled to the neighbor’s apartment where they were safe.
When Neri and I first met, I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I was attending grad school in Los Angeles and had just began my second semester. I was completing an internship at the time, and found it very difficult to stay on task. Every time I heard my phone beep, my heart jumped because I knew it was her. We quickly fell in love and began making plans for the future, (well I was, in my head). She had two beautiful children from a previous marriage. When I first met them, they made me feel like I was already part of the family. It was five of the happiest months of my life. Until one moment changed everything.
Neri's children now live with her little brother, his wife, and their two children. They have been doing very well considering. After the incident I spent a month in the ICU and four months in the hospital. I am the youngest child and only boy of five sisters. After this happened, they stood by my side every second of every day. I am in a wheelchair and will never walk again. I have come a long way since that day, but every day brings new challenges. I have been living on my own for almost 3 years now, but I could not have done it without help from my loving family and friends. I have wanted/needed a service dog for a long time and that day has finally come.
I am creating this page because I really need help. Unfortunately, it is extremely expensive, and Insurance does not help with this sort of thing. I feel like having a service dog is medically necessary and Insurance should help with the costs, but they don’t. So, I am asking you and any one you know, please help me any way you can. Like I said earlier, even $20 goes a long way.
Thank you everyone and God bless