Hi, my name is Ani and I’m raising funds to help pay for my service dog.

My puppy Nellie is 5 months old and will be spending the next 15 months training with K-9 CINB working service dogs before coming home with me. The cost for a service dog is over 25,000$, and since I’m a university student I am unable to cover that cost by myself.

I’ve been struggling with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), anxiety, and depression my whole life. I have flashbacks and panic attacks almost daily. Horrifying nightmares haunt my sleep. I get crippling anxiety from the smallest things like buying groceries and walking down the street. Dissociation symptoms keep me from being present and enjoying things. I’m terrified of public spaces, it takes everything just to show up to my classes. I’ve spent half of my life in therapy and on medication, and none of those things have really improved my quality of life. My psychologist and I have extensively discussed getting a service dog to help with my disability, and decided that it could benefit me greatly.

After completing her training with certified Master Trainer and Behaviour Consultant, Bev Wells, my dog Nellie will help me gain some independence. Having her by my side in public spaces will help ease the anxiety and hypervigilance. She’ll bring me back to reality when I have flashbacks, and will help me stay grounded when I dissociate. She’ll wake me up when I have nightmares, and distract me when I want to hurt myself.

Thank you for anything that you can give to help me. Even if it's only $5, it helps so much and will greatly bless my life. I try to never ask others for help, but I am asking now.

I truly appreciate you even if all you do is share my campaign.

- Info about the service dog training program: https://k9cinb.ca/

- Benefits and info about service dogs: https://www.psychiatry.org/News-room/APA-Blogs/Service-Dogs-Helping-People-with-PTSD

- Info about CPTSD: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-complex-ptsd-2797491