# Help Claire & Myshka: A Lifesaving Partnership

Dear Friends, Family, and Community Members,

We are reaching out on behalf of our daughter, 17-year-old Claire Bennett, to raise $25,000 for a service dog to scent changes in blood sugar and ketones due to a rare metabolic disorder.

Claire is a junior at Eaglecrest High School, an Honors Diploma student, Sci-Tech candidate as well as a proud member of the Eaglecrest Raptor Regiment Marching Band, and is heading on a path for Veterinary Medicine. Claire has been diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Glycogen Storage Disorder (GSD). There are 10 subtypes, and the Dr has narrowed it down to two subtypes, either Ketotic Hypoglycemia or GSD type 0. The odds of this genetic disorder are 1 in a million. If her blood sugar drops too low or her ketone levels get too high, she faces the serious risk of hospitalization, organ damage, coma or death. Claire’s sugars can change rapidly and without notice, brought on by exertion, hot or cold outside temperatures, illnesses, stress, hormonal changes and sometimes for reasons that we cannot pinpoint. A common childhood cold led to her admission to the pediatric ICU. Although we have known she was sick since she was born, it was only last year that she was finally diagnosed by a specialist at the Cleveland Clinic and given a management plan. Prior to that, she has had multiple surgeries, physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, many hospital admissions and was supported by a g-tube (feeding tube) with specialized formula for years, exposing her to a lot of trauma around her health.

To give Claire the support she needs, we have invested in a Bernie Doodle named Myshka who was scent, temperament and intelligence tested as a young puppy and selected by the trainer to be trained as a hypoglycemia scent dog for Claire. At their first meeting Myshka immediately bonded to Claire and is already proving to be a loving companion. She can become so much more, with your help. Myshka is set to become a very specialized service dog, trained to scent even the slightest changes in Claire’s blood sugar and ketone levels. This training will allow Claire to have more independence and confidence in her everyday life, going away from home for college in fall of 2026 and many more adventures

In addition to the specialized odor detection, Myshka will learn essential skills to assist Claire during a variety of activities—whether she’s navigating the busy corridors of high school, marching with the band or needing extra emotional support during panic attacks related to PTSD from her lifelong health issues. Myshka is going to give her independence and confidence to do what she wants which will help with her mental health. The training program, delivered by Yes and Dog Training, an experienced company for working with dogs to detect critical health changes, is both lifesaving and incredibly specialized.

Quality training comes at a high cost. We need to raise **$25,000** to cover the expenses of this in-depth training program, which will take at least six months to complete. Claire is planning on going to college beginning in the fall of 2026, quite possibly out of state. Myshka, trained as her service dog, will allow her to live independently and safely. Your support will ensure that Claire has the reliable assistance she needs to stay safe and focus on her bright future before leaving for college. Any extra will be put into an account to help with food, vet care, and of course, treats.