Help Bring Christina’s Service Dog Home

Hi, my name is Christina. I’m 28 years old, born and raised in San Diego, and I’ve spent most of my adult life fighting battles that many can’t see. I live with Complex PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Conditions that impact me every single day. Some mornings I wake up trembling before I’ve even stepped out of bed. Driving can feel like I’m trapped in survival mode, scanning every mirror, convinced danger is behind me. I’ve had days where I’m curled on the floor in tears, paralyzed by memories that won’t let me go. For me, this isn’t just a bad day or occasional stress, it’s a daily struggle to feel safe in my own body. And while therapy and treatment help, I need more support. That’s why I’ve made the decision to apply for a specially trained psychiatric service dog. A service dog isn’t a pet, it’s medical care. This dog will be trained to interrupt flashbacks and ground me during panic episodes, create space and safety when I feel overwhelmed in public, wake me from nightmares and calm me through the aftermath and remind me that I am not alone when my nervous system tells me otherwise. This kind of specialized training comes with a cost I simply cannot carry on my own. The program requires at least $25,000, this includes the dog’s training, travel to bring the dog home, initial veterinary care, and supplies to make sure they can begin working safely with me. I’ve added a little extra to cover those essentials, but even then, it feels overwhelming for one person. What this dog represents is more than training or cost, it’s hope. It’s the possibility of walking outside without fear, of driving without panic, of being able to reclaim pieces of my life I’ve lost to trauma. With this dog by my side, I could begin to imagine a future where I feel safe enough to grow, create, and live fully again. Every single dollar brings me closer to that future. Whether you can give or simply share my story, you’re helping me build a life where I’m not ruled by fear. I cannot put into words how much that means to me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, thank you for sharing, and thank you for helping me take this step toward healing and independence.