Help Kaia Fight Cancer

I am creating this fundraiser on behalf of Kasey and her pitbull, Kaia. Kaia was diagnosed with lymphoma last week, and will be starting her journey with chemo. Not only is Kasey like a daughter to me, but also an incredible dog trainer that has helped so many of us. Now it’s time for us to help her.

 

Here is an excerpt from Kasey on her story with Kaia and what she means to her:

 

Last week I found out that my best friend has cancer.

 

Kaia- my 6 year old Blue Nose Pitbull received a diagnosis that I never thought I would have to hear. Wagging her tail and smiling up at me she had no idea the journey we were about to take together. I guess the beauty in all of this is Kaia will never know or understand that she will be fighting for her life from here on out… but I am going to do the fighting for her.

 

At a time in my life where many would look to a bright future, I could only see darkness. At 20 years old my family lost everything including our home, the very home I grew up in making memories I thought would continue on forever. We ended up in a multitude of awful situations, dangerous ones, no family should ever have to go through. Looking back on those moments I think to myself - how did I get through all of this? That answer is and will always be, Kaia. There is a bond that many of you share with your animals as I do, and Kaia changed my life in ways that I was able to pay it forward.

 

Although Kaia was an incredible emotional support dog, she developed behavioral issues. Kaia was the first powerful breed I have ever owned and I wasn’t aware of the importance of training, structure, and socialization at a young age. Kaia became severely dog reactive, which I thought was aggression. I was devastated, I couldn’t fail her. LITTLE DID I KNOW, this was going to be the best thing that ever happened to us. I sought out a trainer for Kaia, who brought an entire pack of dogs to show me that aggression was not the problem, but a relationship/behavioral problem.

 

At that very moment, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to helping dogs like Kaia.

 

5 years later, I am proud to say I have a thriving dog training business having the opportunity to help hundreds of people, now friends, with dogs like Kaia. Kaia was my greatest teacher. She was promoted to my assistant and joined me in my private sessions to help with other dogs with the same issues. Animals will teach you the importance of patience and consistency, trust, and more often than not that a simple tail wag and lick to the face can get them their favorite treat or some great belly rubs.

 

What should’ve been a check up for a cruciate injury in her knee, turned into news that turned our world upside down. Kaia was diagnosed with Lymphoma, an inoperable and aggressive cancer that attacks the infection fighting system.

 

With Lymphoma you are given two options:

Option 1: Steroids for the swollen lymph nodes - possible 1-3 month lifespan.

Option 2: Chemotherapy- possible 1-5 years remission time before cancer can come back.

 

After hours of research, oncologist appointments, endless phone calls with people who are going or have gone through this, I chose Chemotherapy for Kaia. We are also treating her holistically as well through diet, supplements, and cannabis. 95% of dogs do not have side effects to chemo, unlike humans.

 

Kaia will need 4 rounds of chemo in total.

Each round of chemo is between $3,3342 - $3,682.

This totals to an estimate between $10,000-$14,000.

This does not include the $3,292 from testing and the Elspar injection on May 15.

We are looking at a total between $17,000- $18,000.

These numbers are terrifying, but not as terrifying as losing my Kaia.

I am willing to sacrifice everything and anything I can to fight for her life.

 

In a time where I felt incredibly alone, I learned I am not alone at all. The love and support I have received has pushed me to be strong and ready to fight. Seeing how many people know what Kaia means to me and to others gives me the strength everyday to win this battle. Every one of you has supported my decision and are ready to fight alongside us, and I am truly moved by the . Many of you have asked to help financially and one of my dear clients even said “You have dedicated yourself to helping our dogs, now let us help yours.” I never thought I made that much an impact to others and their relationship with their companions.

 

Even through the toughest times in my life I have never asked for help, or allowed anyone to help me.

So for the first time, I am going to allow myself to ask for help. A dear friend of mine has created a go fund me. The link will be in my bio. If you are not in a place to donate, you can help by sharing our story, the go fund me, and even just sending Kaia your positive thoughts and prayers. I love reading her all of your beautiful words of encouragement while we lay down together. She snores through some of them, but she knows how much you all love her.

 

Kaia is my why. She is why I kept going when I was at rock bottom, why I found my passion in dog training, why I am able to help so many dogs, and why I know that no matter what I go through, I know I will be okay. Now I owe it to her to as she worked so hard for me, I have to fight that much harder for her.

 

Our journey begins on Monday May 23rd at 4 PM where Kaia will receive her first round of chemotherapy. I will continue to update all of you throughout this journey.

 

Kaia, I promise we WILL do all of the fun things I promised you. You WILL be better. We WILL share many more years together. We have to. You are forever my shmee.

 

Thank you for reading our story.

From the bottom of our hearts,

Kasey & Kaia.

 

 

 

Updates on our journey so far:

-We found an amazing Oncologist at Veterinary Cancer Group in Woodland Hills, Ca.

-Scans show NO cancer has spread to Kaia’s chest!!

-Urinalysis shows no sign of secondary infection.

-Flow cytology results came back as B CELL lymphoma which is the LESS aggressive form and has much better remission times. The most positive news we can get from this.

-On Monday, May 15, we started the Chemo method called CHOP. CHOP has an extremely high success rate for remission in dogs with Lymphoma. The first treatment was an injection called Elspar, an anti cancer injection. Which has shrunk every single one of her lymph nodes back to normal size. This means she's responding well already!

 

(Estimate per Round)