I suffer from Anxiety Disorder. This affects my day-to-day life by inhibiting me from going to stores, the doctors, school, and other activities. Things that used to be very fun for me, such as going to the movie theater,  have become very hard for me to do and cause me a lot of anxiety leading to panic attacks. I’ve been struggling with anxiety for my whole life, but it has progressively gotten worse and has been debilitating me for the past 5 years. I’ve tried treatments and therapies, and I have learned some very good tools and ways of coping but I'm unable to use those tools because my anxiety gets so high, and I am not able to concentrate enough to use the tools I have learned.

 

Recently I began the search for an assistance dog. I’ve learned they can help with my disability in ways that people, treatments, and medications cannot. This will not be an emotional support animal, or pet, this will be a Psychiatric Medical Alert Service Dog,  meaning it will be trained to preform tasks to help me with my anxiety and panic attacks. 


If you’ve ever looked into all that goes into receiving an assistance dog you have found that waiting lists are years in length, and it costs organizations up to $70,000 to train just a single dog. It’s outrageous, but there is a lot of time, energy, and money that goes into each one of these specially trained animals, and while it is expensive, it is hard to put a price tag on the change they bring to the lives of the disabled.

 

In my search I’ve come across Angel Retrievers who has been helping people self-train their own assistance dogs for over twenty years with great success. I’ve been approved by Angel Retrievers to receive one of their specifically-bred and trained dogs. The wait time is shorter than most lists, and the fundraising is reduced by tens of thousands of dollars. This is all possible because of the investment of time and energy I’m willing to put into my future service dog. I will be spending the majority of time training and socializing my dog with the regular instruction of Angel Retrievers’ Trainers.


When I first meet my dog he/she will already be trained in tasks to assist me and will be started in obedience training. The chances of this dog growing up to have the right personality for my needs is extremely high due to the years of experience held by the trainers and breeders. My dog will be chosen just for me based off of temperament testing and training abilities so they are the perfect puzzle piece for my direct needs. I will be receiving two very full days of instruction when I first receive my dog, and then I will be following up with them regularly after that each month either in writing or in person, at no additional fee.


So instead of me trying to fundraise $70,000 I am raising $6,000 for my trained dog. I will also need to travel to San Diego, CA for my own training and instruction. I expect my travel expenses to be an additional $600, for a total fundraising goal of $6,600.

 

This is where I ask for your help. Because I am fundraising this amount for my own individual needs, donations are not considered a 501c3 tax deduction. Nonprofit organizations can only solicit funds for the general public, while the money I’m raising is specifically for me and my future service dog. If you are able to help by donating any amount toward my goal you will be playing a direct part in making a positive change for my future.


 

You can learn more about Angel Retrievers at www.AngelRetrievers.com.

 

I thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers and support. In my next letter I hope to have good news with a picture of me and my new dog, working together on the path for a beautiful future.

 

Sincerely,

Nina