Hi, I'm Sydney Stewart. In March of 2023, I became deathly ill with a rare disease called Adult Onset Stills Disease which is an auto-inflammatory disease. I unfortunately got complications of HLH ( Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis ) and MAS ( Macrophage Activation Syndrome ). These complications result in organ failure and death within a few months. After a lot of hospital stays and being in and out of the ICU, it was determined that I would need a bone marrow transplant. Along with the health problems, I developed 8 back fractures and four blood clots in my body, leaving me unable to walk or move. Thankfully with the bone marrow transplant and physical therapy, I'm now able to somewhat move and function. I however am still struggling mentally and physically. I want to raise money to get a service dog because I believe it would give me a better quality of life and help me get my independence back. I would need a mobility/ psychiatric service dog to help me with my needs. Some tasks that this dog could do for me are alerting me to flares, helping me with stairs and overall mobility, support with PTSD, panic, and anxiety attacks, as well as bringing me medicine/reminding me to take such things ( due to my extreme memory loss). This would also help keep my parents mind at ease when I am alone or in public alone as the dog would be able to alert me and others when I need help or am in trouble. Dogs and training are expensive and as I am disabled and unable to work, paying for college, the new puppy itself, and the training, would be a hard feat to conquer. I am specifically looking at German Shepherds and Standard Poodles as my service dog prospects. I come to you with a humble heart and ask for your help with acquiring and paying for a service dog and help me get my life back.

Thank you :)