Help me provide peace and comfort!

I was diagnosed with PTSD from my time in the Army quite a few years ago now. When I got home from my first deployment, the counselor I spoke to said, “Get a Golden Retriever.” Obviously, that’s a little oversimplified.

After the military, I went into EMS, so I’ve seen my share of not-great things. I’ve wanted to keep helping, and I went back to university in 2016 with the plan to eventually attend medical school. Life threw a few curveballs; however, I discovered that the path to RN is shorter, and I can work sooner!

I have experienced first-hand how difficult it is to find a well-bred, healthy, stable-tempered dog. And one that is within reasonable budgets. Sure, there are dogs in the pound; usually, you won’t find a dog that fits all three of those criteria. Frequently breeders don’t meet those criteria either.

I had to write a research paper for a class, and I discovered that unless a veteran has upwards of $10,000, they can wait, on average, two or more years for a dog on lists for donated or reduced-cost dogs. Most people don’t have that. I was fortunate when I purchased Tilly. She has made an enormous difference in my life, not only for myself but for my husband, a veteran, and our son, who has autism.

A simple trip to Lowe’s sometimes takes a few hours because Tilly finds people needing a hug or a chat.

I had not intended to breed her, but after that paper, I began to wonder how I could help other veterans, or anyone really.

I felt that more “Tilly” would be a way I could help. I found mentors willing to teach me, did the research, got all of Tilly’s health testing and clearances, and decided to breed her.

I donate half the litter to veterans, police, first responders, or teachers, not as service animals but as a well-bred companion that could help the way animals do naturally.

I have two pups in training to be reading assistant dogs for school children; several are with veterans; one is a therapy dog attending addiction recovery meetings, and another is in training right now for therapy for senior citizens.

I want to increase my “program,” but the cost of purchasing a quality dog is beyond me for the foreseeable future, plus testing, vet bills, breeding costs, etc. I’ve been extremely fortunate to break even and not put my family under too much financial burden. 

I have been offered an exceptional opportunity to add a male dog to my program! Not only would this drastically reduce my annual operating costs, but he would also add another team member to undergo training and become a therapy dog. Like all my dogs, he would become a permanent member of my family. Adding this dog to my program would increase my ability to help more people. I have a limited window to accept this opportunity, bringing me to this platform. As yet, I am not a 501(c)(3); I do have an EIN and I am working towards 501(c)(3) status (nonprofit).

Tilly saved my life; please help me provide that chance for others.