Hello everyone,

This is one of the hardest things I have ever written.

I am raising funds for a trained service dog to help me manage severe C-PTSD and support my ongoing recovery from addiction. I have been sober for 1 year and 6 months, and while I am proud of that progress, the effects of trauma and anxiety continue to impact my life every day.

Over the past year and a half, I have been committed to my recovery while living in a sober living community. One of the most important things I have learned is that emotional relapse often comes before relapse to substances.

Recently, after 1 year and 6 months of sobriety and recovery, one night almost cost me my life.

That experience reminded me that recovery is about more than staying sober. The trauma and PTSD connected to my life experiences and active addiction still need healing, and I want to take a preventative approach.

There are times when PTSD becomes so overwhelming that I struggle to leave the house, connect with others, or fully participate in life. I often find myself isolated, exhausted, and trapped in a battle that few people can see. Living in a constant state of fear and stress has affected both my mental and physical well-being, and there have been moments when the weight of it all felt almost impossible to carry.

But I want to be clear about something:

I do not want to die.

I want to live.

I want to heal.

I want to work again. I want to build meaningful relationships. I want to contribute to my community, go on adventures, and one day have a family of my own. I want to wake up with hope, purpose, and excitement for the future instead of fear and uncertainty.

After speaking with professionals and others familiar with trauma recovery, a trained service dog has been strongly recommended as an important part of my healing journey.

A service dog is much more than a companion. It can help ground me during PTSD episodes, reduce anxiety, provide a greater sense of safety, and help me stay engaged with the world during moments when my nervous system becomes overwhelmed. While it is not a cure, it could provide the stability and support needed to help me continue moving forward and reclaim parts of my life that trauma has taken away.

Every donation will go directly toward obtaining and caring for a trained service dog, including training, placement, equipment, and veterinary expenses. Through—https://www.abilitydogs.ca/Home

Thanks to Preventative Health Awareness Month who helped me make this connection. A movement that has become very dear to me.

What makes this fundraiser especially meaningful to me is that I believe healing is about more than my own future.

My hope is that as I continue overcoming these challenges, I can use my experiences to help others who are struggling. I know what it feels like to live with despair, isolation, shame, and hopelessness. I know what it feels like to feel lost and alone.

Because of that, I hope one day to share my story in a way that encourages others not to give up. I want to be a source of hope for people who are fighting battles nobody else can see. If my journey can help even one person choose hope over despair, then the pain I have endured will not have been without purpose.

I believe that with the support of this service dog, and the kindness of those willing to help, I can continue breaking free from the limitations that PTSD has placed on my life. My prayer is that the support I receive today will not only help change my life, but eventually allow me to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

If you are able to donate, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean the world to me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for believing in my recovery, and for helping me take another step toward healing, independence, and hope.

With gratitude,

Jared