Build a Battle Buddy- Service Dog for US Marine
My name is Neil Alvarado and I am an Iraqi War (OIF) veteran. I served in the US Marine Corps for a little over four years. In that time I was deployed three times, with my last tour in Iraq. After my honorable discharge I was diagnosed with PTSD and a depressive disorder. In the past twenty years I've participated in various in-patient/out-patient programs, psychotherapies, and a whole slew of medications. All to no avail. The Department of Veterans Affairs has designated me as totally and permanently disabled and I've been classified as suffering from PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
My Vet Center therapist recommended a service dog. At the current time, the VA does not pay for service animals for military veterans. I was quickly discouraged as I found that the demand outweighed the supply. Almost all nonprofits have a 2+ year wait list and to purchase a service dog outright would costs me upwards of $30,000. Money I don't have. I'd almost given up, until I got a call from Forgotten Coast K9. My application for the Build a Battle Buddy program had been approved. I've just started working with Forgotten Coast K9 and Top Tier K9 to learn how to train my own service dog. A skill that will come in handy, when I need to get another service animal. The cost of the program is $5,000.
$5,000 of the funds raised will go directly to Forgotten Coast K9. The additional $2,000 will go other expenditures such as travel expenses, food, insurance, veterinarian care, and equipment. All raised funds will be spent on the dog.
Your help will be greatly appreciated. My service connected disabilities have alienate me from a lot of my family and I've isolated for so long that I have no friends in my life. I live primarily on my VA disability. I have work restrictions, so I'm only able to work part-time. I've tried and failed for 20 years to fix myself, by myself. I've failed miserably. It would be blessing to have a little help and company. I truly believe I would benefit from a service dog. I invite you all to check out the amazing work being done at Forgotten Coast K9 (forgottencoastk9.org) and Top Tier K9 (toptierk9.com). You can also contact Forgotten Coast K9 directly to verify my enrollment in the Build a Battle Buddy Program. I invite all to share my fundraiser. For those of you who are unable to contribute, pray for me.