Help me fund an assistance dog

Thank you for taking the time to read this, this is part of my story and how you could help.

My name is Cassie, I am 18 years old, I was born and grew up in Gibraltar, but from the age of 10 my mental health began deteriorating and later the decision was made by my local health services to receive treatment in the UK.

I stopped being able to attend school at 14 years old due to my mental health.

I was recently transferred to an adult personality disorder ward, soon after turning 18, from my last CAMHS ward.

My diagnoses include EUPD, PTSD and Autism.

After being in and out of hospital for my mental health since I was 13 years old, I’m now coming up to being 2 years in this hospital admission.

My diagnoses make it extremely difficult to keep myself safe, I experience flashbacks, panic attacks, sometimes nightmares, my mood can be unstable, I struggle with social situations and change. Unfortunately I struggle tremendously with self harm, and have attempted to take my own life multiple times.

This is my reality at the moment but I want to be out in the community and thriving, and do the “normal” everyday things that most people take for granted, such as shopping, going outside, perusing hobbies and interests, meeting new people and hang out with friends and family outside of hospital visits.

I feel that along with my medications, therapies and support from friends and family. An assistance dog would really help me achieve that.

Assistance dogs are truly amazing, they are for all kinds of disabilities, whether your disability is visible or not. They can help perform tasks based on people’s needs.

I’m my case my assistance dog would be able to help me with panic attacks and flash backs by grounding me using deep pressure therapy.

Interrupt self harming behaviours.

Help with my confidence in going out and meeting new people.

Interrupt freezing and dissociating behaviours that often stem from trauma.

Closing the door/ turning the light on or off for when I’m scared due to trauma.

Retrieve PRN medications while I’m in intense distress.

And so much more.

For as long as I can remember I have always thought an assistance dog would help me.

I have done tons of research and dreaming and I think the dog for me would be a golden retriever.

They are very receptive to training, very clever, enjoy working and being your friend and of course they are big and fluffy!

Of course these heroes need extensive and specialist training, that’s where the funds would come in.

Most assistance dog charities have years long waiting lists and I feel that as part of my recovery towards a safe, successful and hopefully final discharge from hospital, I think an assistance dog will help me tremendously when re-integrating back into the community.

Your funding will go towards the training, vet bills, general upkeep of his/her needs and of course, the golden hero themselves.

I really do believe this can change my life.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

If you are unable to donate please share!