Hello, Everyone! Thank you for stopping by Toast Robert Strudel's fundraising page. Toast is a Service Dog in Training, and he’s been working with me since May to help manage my PTSD and severe anxiety. He’s completed all his obedience training and was just starting to learn behavior interruption skills when he hurt himself playing fetch. What began as a minor limp quickly became more serious, despite anti-inflammatory medication, laser therapy, and strict rest. Over the past month, Toast has had three vet visits, and his limp has continued to worsen. His vet, Dr. Greg, suspects a torn ligament based on X-rays and has referred Toast to an orthopedic specialist for a consultation next week. If the diagnosis is confirmed, Toast will likely need a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery, which is a major procedure.

Toast brings light and joy into my life where there once was none. He helps me manage my daily activities and gives me a sense of purpose and routine that I struggle to maintain on my own. Our days are built around his training, playtime, and walks, and he brings so much structure and happiness to my world. When he’s healthy, we spend our mornings training and playing fetch, followed by breakfast and a midday “sniffy walk” where he gets to explore at his own pace. Evenings are for more fetch, dinner, and snuggling. Toast’s hobbies include fetch, rope tug of war, and dismantling squeaker toys. He’s also a big fan of the garbage truck and its driver, who is his personal hero.

I’ve already spent a significant amount on vet visits and medication, and the surgery is expected to be very expensive. Toast will also need ramps to help him get in and out of the car and bed while he recovers. Any support you can offer means the world to both of us as we navigate this challenging time. Thank you for reading our story and considering a donation to help Toast get back on his paws.