Help Obtain & Train Liz's Service Dog

My name is Elizabeth Stein, but some folks know me as Stormy. Over the last decade, I've been diagnosed with Type II Bipolar disorder, complex PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia syndrome, and a handful of other "smaller" diagnoses. With a smile, I tell folks that I am the Hot Mess Express.

While I have been able to manage my mental health issues with medication and therapy, I require the use of mobility aids part time. There are are things in my daily life that I struggle to do, and I am unable to predict what days are going to be low-energy or high-pain days.

Previously, I had an amazing service dog named Grace. Sadly, she passed away in January of this year from highly aggressive bone cancer. She had been trained to bring me items like medication, give deep pressure therapy, and wake me up during night terrors.

Which brings me to why I am fundraising on GoFundMe. I need help raising funds to obtain and train my new helper.

For the puppy and two years of in-home training that will cover basic obedience up to service dog work, I will need approximately $5000. I did the math, and including food, vet costs, and insurance for the first year, I’m looking at $8000.

The trainer I have found to work with, has quoted me $1650. I'm very excited to work with him, as he does in-home training as opposed to board & train program. That way, the dog will be used to me giving the commands, and desensitized to common distractions in the home and places we will commonly go.

The puppy I will be getting is from Mithril Poodles, a standard poodle breeder out of south Texas. She brings in a dog behaviorist when the pups are seven weeks old, and determines which ones in a litter are best suited for service dog situations, hunting/k9 sport homes, or just companion pet homes. We have had a couple of lengthy conversations and I am confident that she and her dogs are an excellent match for what I'm looking for. She quoted me right around $4000 for the puppy and her delivering it to St. Louis, where I would meet her, instead of having to travel to Houston to meet.

Having a trained service dog will help me maintain my independence, which I have been struggling with since the death of Grace.

While I am working on finding a job that will help me cover most of these costs myself, I am asking for help because nothing is certain and I genuinely believe in the kindness of others.