Service Dog for Syd

Hello friends!  Sydney is blind and I need your help!  I come here after much thought and a little embarrassment. I have always felt good that I have been able to provide for my family - thank you TAMUG – but since my retirement, part time teaching, COVID and now a health scare I am searching to assure my girl – Sydney – will be safe and taken care of in the future.  Since she returned from UT Austin, the arthritis has attacked her eye sight and her joints remain a constant issue with only her ‘high dollar’ meds keeping her moving.  I am not complaining and my jobs are certainly keeping us afloat, but our family, her doctors and coach feel a companion/sight dog would be a good investment to keep her safe and happy.  I have looked into prices and training of service animals and with the costs prohibitive for a normal young lady between $20,000 and $50,000, I have contacted a local trainer who has worked with Syd before and she is willing to help us train a service Labrador for her disabilities and sight. Of course this will be extremely helpful and perhaps if we can find a little help it will allow us to purchase a Labrador, initial training, Trelle coaching and vet certifications and vaccinations.  As you know, she is an animal lover and has a cute pet Sheldon BUT he is way too short and we need a working teammate for Syd so crossing the street, finding curbs, pacing, getting up, staying home alone, feeling safe and happy, etc. can be done safely and we will feel OK allowing her the independence she craves and deserves. Right now she cannot see at all and cannot even walk to the store because I fear traffic is too dangerous and going anywhere without me is impossible because I need her to have a partner in case she gets lost or turned around.  She is stuck in her room – yes, COVID is part of this, but … blindness is so scary for her and our family.  I would like to raise $20,000 and any funds not directly used for her service animal purchase and training will be given to the Arthritis Foundation.  Please do not feel pressured – but if you can help our family we would really appreciate it!