After years of consistent hospital stays and countless diagnoses (Autoimmune Autonomic Neuropathy, Colonic Dysmotility Syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Dysautonomia, Lupus, and Behcet's Disease – to name a few), I have watched my niece slowly give up her independence and control to her illness.

At 18 years old, she stepped back from attending college classes for fear of passing out and having nobody nearby to help. Now, after years of letting her chronic illness dictate her capabilities, Kayla's been given the opportunity to work with a trained service dog and regain control of her life.

I'm hoping to raise $8,000 to cover the expense of the 10-month training program. Once completed, Kayla will have a puppy companion who can assist her in all areas of her life — from opening doors, carrying items, and warning others of a possible seizure/episode, to providing mental and emotional support on a daily basis.

This service dog will also help her with mobility; it will be able to alert her when her heart rate rapidly changes, help her remember her medication, and overall, allow her to be more independent.

If all goes as planned, she will soon be able to return to her in-person college courses to become a child life specialist and go back to the way things once were… where she will always be able to be more independent and actually be able to see the outside world more.