Help fund Marla's, my service dog, ear surgery

Hello, my name is Tim Jackson.  I am a 14 year Veteran of the US Army.  While enlisted as a Chaplain Assistant I developed C-PTSD through the volume of counseling services as well as the content of said services.  When I got out in 2009 my life felt empty and void.  I was angry, pained, and haunted by the memories that these brave men and women shared with me.  In 2017 I found Service Dogs for Veterans who placed me with my amazing service dog Marla.

For the last four years Marla has been my ever-constant companion.  I can often be heard calling her my American Express card because "I never leave home without her!"  She has blessed my life in so many ways both large and small.  My children love her, my family loves her, and my friends love her!  She faithfully attended all of my classes while I earned my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and even stepped up to the plate herself and assists me as a therapy dog during my sessions with clients.  She loves all living things and feels like it is her mission to befriend anything that moves.

Unfortunately, in January of 2020 she contracted ear infections in both ears.  Although fairly common for any animal, Marla seemed to want to hang on to them.  Her left ear has been consistently infected since.  After finally getting in to see the Veterinary Dermatology and Ear specialists, we have finally began receiving some answers.  The doctor feels like there is a very high likelihood that she may have developed a middle ear disease (otitis media) or possibly even a mass deep within her ear canal.



They have recommended two courses of treatment.  the first is a video otoscopy and a deep ear flush along with a CT scan.  This course will confirm whether her instincts are correct and Marla will indeed need surgery.  To get a 100% surety that the surgery is needed would  cost $2472.19.  The other option is to go directly to the surgery.  What she states is the most likely needed surgery is a total ear canal ablation (TECA) and possibly a bulla osteotomny (BO). This combination removes the outer ear canal and middle ear, if needed.  This would cure he of the issues triggering her prolonged problems.  This surgery is expected to cost anywhere from $2400 and $2800.

And this is where the GoFundMe comes in.  As mentioned above, Marla and I recently graduated with our Masters degree (MMFT) in August of 2020. Unfortunately due to COVID related set backs as well as some personal issues I have not yet received my LMFT-A license (My Associate Therapist License).  I have tried to find other suitable employment within the mental health field but it has been a struggle.  After over 180 applications and many interviews I do currently have a part-time job which started three weeks ago.  But this is the only income I have received (other than my VA disability and student loan residuals) since 2019.  I cannot afford this surgery.

Please help to make my beautiful Marla's life more comfortable.  We so understand if you cannot afford much right now, We know that the last two years have been tough on everyone. If you cannot afford to give can you at least help to spread the word so Marla can start living her best life again??

We thank you so, so very much!!