Help Monika Get A Service Dog
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Hello! My name is Monika, and I’m raising money to get a service/companion dog I desperately need.
I’m from Burnaby, BC and moved to a group home in Abbotsford in 2022. I recently got transferred to another group home in Surrey, where I’m receiving mental health treatment. I went to several different schools in my life, but the most meaningful to me were SFDS Elementary (January 2006-June 2009) and STMC High School (September 2009-June 2014)… they helped me a lot with different challenges I’ve had throughout my life. I also went to Douglas College, however, I was unable to complete the program due to my illnesses. Since then I took courses at UFV and now I'm taking a course at KPU. I'm trying to get used to going to school again and possibly take Peer Support Worker training so I can help others in need.
WHY DO I NEED A SERVICE/COMPANION DOG?
I have been diagnosed with severe PTSD / C-PTSD, anxiety, depression and an eating disorder. I was diagnosed with a developmental delay and ADHD when I was young, as I had problems with learning since infancy. When I was young both my parents passed away from cancer. I also experienced many years of physical and mental abuse, causing severe PTSD and C-PTSD symptoms still to this day. This is another reason why I need a service/companion dog.
When I was 19 years old I went through Hodgkins Lymphoma, which included 8 intense rounds of chemo treatment. Even though my chemotherapy treatments have finished for a long time, I have to get checked at least every 6 months because my young age makes me high risk for the cancer returning. This uncertainty makes my anxiety a lot worse. Whenever I had treatment I would look forward to seeing a therapy dog, which was always so much better than going through it alone! I felt physically well whenever I saw him. I'm proud to say I'm now 9 years cancer free! Unfortunately, chemotherapy left a heavy toll on my body. Since I was so young while in treatment, I have severe side effects that may last me the rest of my life. Earlier this year I found out my physical symptoms may be associated with my mental illness as well as late effects from chemo.
Here is a picture of me during chemo with a BC Cancer Agency therapy dog (2015)
HOW WILL A SERVICE/COMPANION DOG HELP ME?
Whenever I'm around dogs I feel a sense of comfort and energy. I forget about my problems and just focus on being with the dog, even on my toughest days.
A service/companion dog will be able to perform certain tasks, including…
- Deep pressure therapy
- Signal when there are people coming up from behind me
- Grounding
- Tactical stimulation
- Bring medication bottle
- Reminders to take medication
- Guide to less crowded area
- Keep me balanced when I stand up or get unsteady
...all service and companion dogs are trained to do the tasks needed for the individual with the disability.
- A service/companion dog would help me immensely with living independently again, right now I live in a mental health licensed care facility so there isn't much independence
- When I’m mentally and physically well my goal is to live independently with a service/companion dog and my cat, Oreo!
HOW MUCH DOES A SERVICE/COMPANION DOG COST?
- Getting a companion dog from Dogs With Wings will cost at least $40,000… however, I will just have to raise $6,000
FUNDRAISING
- I am fundraising through the Return It Express bottle depot
- If you have any spare empty bottles or cans you'd like to donate, it would be greatly appreciated!
- Just give this code (UL2Y) or phone number (778-669-0024) at any Return It Express bottle depot and you're all set!
- All of the money donated through GoFundMe or any other fundraisers will be put into a Service Dog savings account or used for future dog care supplies
Please help! Even sharing my story means so much! Please help me feel normal again... Thank you ❤
Organizer
Monika Kwiatkowski
Organizer
Surrey, BC