Cyril's Service Dog Training

Cyril the husky mix is in training to be a mobility and medical alert service dog, but he needs some help to get there.

I was diagnosed with depression, two anxiety disorders, and panic disorder in 2014. My first panic attack was in 2013 during a stage combat class, triggered simply by a friend asking what was wrong. I had buried my depression and anxiety for so long that I had gone numb and had been that way for about a week. Because that also wasn't a solution to the mental pain I was in, a simple question caused all of that to come flooding out at once. Unfortunately, once you have a panic attack, you're likely to keep having them because of the temporary catharsis they can provide. While now I have been in therapy and am on medication, the disorders I have haven't gone away and there are certain panic triggers I still deal with. My therapist recommended a service dog due to their ability to ground handlers during panic episodes, guide handlers away out of buildings or to safe areas or people before, during, or after a panic attack while the sufferer is disoriented, and the feeling of security they provide since the handler knows that should they have a panic attack they won't be alone.

In 2016 after six months of unexplained severe pain that caused me to be unable to walk or stand at times, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. It was the only explanation doctor's had for the pain that I could only describe as "bone crushing," feeling as though I had sprained my wrists or ankles after moderate activity, muscle spasms that left me unable to move, and dizzying migraines. I tried several medications only to have severely adverse side effects or basically no effects. Because my condition couldn't be treated, my medical plan had to move to adapting to reduce symptom flares and necessary activity during a flare.
A service dog would assist by retrieving dropped or low items so that I don't have to bend, carrying a backpack so that I don't have to, providing balance and support when it's hard to stand or my legs give out, providing forward momentum when it's hard to walk, and assisting when I use a wheelchair by retrieving items, pressing buttons, or providing forward momentum to make wheeling easier.

I had hoped to complete most of Cyril's training on my own. Unfortunately I don't have the energy to do so. I reached out to Comprehensive Pet Therapy in Atlanta as they have a lot of experience in service dog training. Cyril was evaluated by their head trainer as a promising prospect, and we made a training plan. Cyril is starting with two weeks of board training to work on his manners and basic obedience. Following his board training, we will be enrolling in group training classes to improve his obedience further as well as my skills as a handler. Private lessons and future board training is likely to also be needed to finish his public access and task training.

The $5000 goal will cover group classes, private classes, and board training as well as transportation to and from Atlanta.

Over $500 was raised on the now closed YouCaring fundraiser, which covered the costs of the evaluation and training plan meetings, for which I am extremely thankful.