Help Kodi pay for service dog training

update: July 5th 2022 we doubled my original goal! Oh my gosh! I can’t believe we have gotten this far!
So far, I am using funds for:
-paying for next round of flea, tick, heart worm prevention
-pet insurance 
-prepaid for a trainer in August 
-create a home agility course 
-looking into more training intake in my area for fall

My name is Kodi Leigh. I was a teacher trained in aquatics, child care, child development, sports and recreation, with a focus on children with autism. When I work with children, the joy felt and lessons mastered made life feel magical. Sadly, my body has not always worked well. I have a history of brain injuries, severe food allergies, tic disorder, conversion disorder and vasovagal syncope as well as being survivor of domestic and sexual assault. In November 2019, I was blessed to start the "owner training service dog journey" with my German Shepherd, Bean. Having a service dog  helped me recover from my “episodes," mitigate stress, pain, and create a distraction for me while I took time to recover. Bean would help me off the floor after fainting, help me balance, and she greatly improved my ability to be physically active, as well as improve my mental health.

Starting September of 2021, I have been feeling heart attack level pain every minute of every day, and Bean was always by my side. I was required to use a wheelchair, as my breathing  is constricted and rendered me unable to walk. Bean always made sure I made it back to bed; safe and warm.

Sadly, April 7th 2021, my baby was tragically hit by a truck and passed away. I not only lost my bestfriend, but I also lost my lifeline.



About MJ: 

Beans love continues to live on through my new dog MJ! Bean loved playing with her bestfriend, a Golden Doodle around the corner from my home. Upon asking the owner where she got her dog, we were connected to Thistleridge Doodles through Heather Fawcett (my lovely neighbour) and that's where we met Steve and Patti Weise (wonderful people!). 

MJ is currently 6 months old.  We have already done her spay, age appropriate vaccines and preventative treatments. We have gone to “A Perfect Dog for Life” dog school by Scott Rawlings for off leash training, and started public access training- the very same place I took Bean! 

I am asking you kind people if you could help where you can. In order for me to get back to my classroom, and to the kids who need me, my body needs help and support in order to heal. The funds I collect will be used for the following:

-pet insurance

-vet

-continuing all access training 

-appropriate gear and equipment (service dog gear, raincoat, harness, boots, winter coat)

-food (royal Canin puppy food)

-augmentation communication board (to expand communication with her)

-scent detection training (to prevent me from ingesting food I am allergic to)

-grooming (so far before Vanessa, I have had no extra money to take her to a professional).


I am currently writing my first book about service dogs, and will include Bean as a main character, so the readers can love her as much as she was loved by me. MJ will make an appearance as the “next generation of service dogs”- but like all service dogs, they start as puppies, and I could use a little help.


To keep up to date on our activities, please join MJ’s instagram @ Magical_Journey_of_Life. I will update GoFundMe regularly with MJ's progress.

I appreciate your kindness and generosity more than you could ever know. Thank you for helping me.