Katie's Service Dog

Hi, My name is Amanda. I met Katie in 2011 through a small group at Athens Church. Our friendship flourished in the years to come. Katie was an elementary school teacher in a local school system for ten years before moving to Texas to become a children's pastor. Life would bring Katie back to Athens and us.

In June 2019, Katie was working towards her fourth college degree, a Masters in Christian counseling and as a Bereavement Coordinator for a hospice company. While at work in the home office, Katie passed out and was taken to the hospital via ambulance. No conclusive reason was found for her condition.

The weeks following were filled with severe headaches and encephalitic symptoms. Once Katie's headaches were controlled, Katie began numerous therapies. She was no longer able to work or attend school. Katie was left with severe cognitive delays that she has bravely worked to overcome. Despite all her challenges, God has been faithful in giving Katie unexplainable joy and peace to accept her circumstances.

Katie's family surprised her this summer with a mini labradoodle named Dolly. Katie was overjoyed. Katie's parents began to look into service dog training for Katie's unique situation. They quickly found that service dog training was costly! It was their hope that Dolly could be trained after a bond was established between Katie and Dolly.

Katie suffered a seizure in mid-August while at her niece's softball game. Soon after, Dolly passed the preliminary assessment to become a service dog. Shortly after, Katie suffered a longer seizure while at church.

Katie is currently undergoing neurological testing while continuing her speech and occupational therapies. Katie also works out with a trainer to help maintain balance. The seizures have put more emphasis on the need for a service dog. Katie's doctors and therapists all feel that a service dog would be a massive benefit for Katie.

As you can imagine, service dog training comes at a high price. Katie's parents have been her full-time caregivers for three and a half years. The cost of service dog training disheartened them.

Katie is my dear friend, and this campaign is a small way to help her gain some independence. Having a service dog will also help alleviate the daily stress of her parents. Dolly will be a working dog & Katie’s

constant companion.

Any monies raised over the cost of Dolly's service training will be donated to ESP (Extra Special People.) ESP is a local non-profit founded in 1986 in Watkinsville, Georgia to create a community of support for individuals of all abilities.