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Fundraising for a Medical Alert Dog

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Hello world.

I'll start by saying this is a scary and vulnerable letter to write, so if you take the time to read it, thank you. Many of you know that I have dealt with a myriad of complex health issues over the last 20+ years - more than two-thirds of my life. The sheer total volume of time and toll on my body (17 trips to the OR, countless hours in and outpatient) is immense and has resulted in one of my biggest (and I think a commonly shared feeling) fears: a loss of self-dependence and control. I was recently approved for a medical alert dog (which I am fundraising for) to regain some of this independence. It would make a massive difference, and I hope you continue to read to find out why.

For those who know me in real life, most people would describe me as a very independent (stubbornly or tenaciously so... eye of the beholder) individual. For the history of my existence, I have always felt the need to prove that I can do it all on my own, for myself, and by myself. The fact that I have had my healthcare team advocate for a service dog - a four-legged canine companion - to help do THE THINGS in life when I can't - is hard to admit. (This is what they call progress!?)

As someone who has grown up in the healthcare system, as a Type A, and dare I say (gasp!), a perfectionist, you probably have not seen me at my worst. People who don't ask for help are very good at hiding in times of their greatest need. So, I would guess the first question you'd ask is: Why would you need a service dog?

The dog I have been approved for will be trained to do many tasks that can - without overstating it - save a life. Rather than listing everything it will be trained to do, I will list just one real-life example:

I have experienced over 20 episodes of vasovagal syncope (read: loss of consciousness due to stimulation of the vagus nerve, causing a rapid drop in blood pressure and heart rate, followed by a <<pow>> blackout and a quick trip to the ground) in the last decade. However, as some of you know, I recently had my entire large intestine removed in March 2024, which exponentially increases the risk of syncope due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances (a job the large intestine previously held). In just eleven days of my last hospital stay, two episodes have already occurred. As someone who lives, travels, and adventures alone, this medical alert dog will be trained to get help if I lose consciousness, with the most critical risk coming from injury on the way down (hit your head on the marble counter or bathtub? A big rock on your hike? No good). It will learn to retrieve a cell phone, medication, water, or (thanks to technology) alert emergency services at my precise location. Most amazingly, this dog will even learn to preemptively sense when I may have a syncopal episode coming on, alerting me to sit or lie down preventatively.

It would be unfair to neglect that this service dog will also be trained to complete critical, research-backed tasks for those who have experienced trauma. The service dog will learn to apply deep compression, light pressure therapy, redirection techniques, conduct room scans, turn lights on, and other helpful tasks for dogs trained to assist those with PTSD. This dog will help me regain a sense of independence that has slowly slipped away over the last 20 years.

Lastly, if you are a dog (or cat, bird, or chinchilla) person, you know an animal can provide unconditional love and companionship. Everyone, including myself, could use a little more of that in their lives.

Some people believe that once an individual has been medically recommended and approved for a service dog, the recipient simply receives the dog. While this would be magical, it is wildly unrealistic. Training a service dog to meet a unique individual's needs can take 1-2 years, and accrues costs for purchasing a dog, feeding, full-time training and boarding, and all medical needs. Service dogs in the United States generally cost between $15,000 and $30,000, plus their ongoing cost of care. My specific service dog will cost $19,500 with additional costs for travel for training live with the dog and initial medical and startup costs.

There is no obligation to contribute, but if you feel compelled to donate, please know how much it is appreciated. If you are not in a place to do so but would still like to help, please consider sharing this GoFundMe link with your network. The strength of crowdfunding is only as strong as the number of people it reaches, and it would mean a lot.

Thank you for being.
Erika

*This dog will be trained and provided through ASA Service Dogs, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $250
    • 6 mos
  • Eva Serber
    • $50
    • 8 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $175
    • 9 mos
  • Mark Goldman
    • $100
    • 9 mos
  • Anonymous
    • $5,000
    • 9 mos
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Organizer

Erika Sperl-Imhoff
Organizer
Minneapolis, MN

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