Help for Psychiatric Service Dog Training

Hi, I’m Brooklyn, and as many of you know I have Jet, my 3.5 year old rescue aussie mix. I am a 4th year college student and am working toward two degrees. I have suffered and coped with mental health issues for a long time, and have maintained through medication and regular therapy. My current diagnoses are Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and most recently, Panic Disorder, which are all covered under the ADA. I have worked very hard to cope with symptoms and avoid situations that would aggravate any of the diagnoses I have for the most part. 

More recently, it has been harder and harder for me to comfortably go out in public for daily tasks such as grocery shopping, spending time in public spots (such as Old Town for those familiar with Fort Collins) and feeling comfortable going out by myself. My difficulty going out by myself is an persistent worry about having a panic attack while in a public space and the thought of strangers witnessing that. I am constantly asking friends to come with me to go do simple things like go to the store and if no one can go with me I often just stay home and don’t get what I need. My friends have served as support if I feel anxious or they notice my energy levels are off as a sign of needing to start calming down. I told my psychiatrist that I don’t feel like I can be independent with this impending fear of being out alone and thinking about having panic attacks. 

This is where Jet comes in. My psychiatrist prescribed the use of a service dog for me as a means of being able to assist me in public spaces and recognize signs of anxiety and being able to act accordingly. With Jet, I will be able to complete tasks by myself and have an “alert” system to let me know ahead of time if I need to calm myself down and assist me if I am not able to. Jet will be trained to intervene if he detects rapid breathing and/or a bouncing leg as early signs of increased anxiety. In the event of panic symptoms, Jet will be trained to create space between myself and others, and bring a water bottle if I don’t have it. 

We have gotten in touch with a trainer that will be working with Jet on strengthening his public access skills, and teaching him the tasks he will need to perform, and then teaching me how to cue and work with Jet as well as his handler. Jet will be working with the trainer 3-4 times a week, and once a week I will join in and learn what Jet is working on. The cost for this will be roughly $1200 a month as it is all one on one private training, and the trainer estimates it might be around 3-3.5 months of training before Jet is ready for independent full-time service. I will also be purchasing a working vest and appropriate patches using these donations to properly identify Jet in public. 

Any and all amounts help, and I truly appreciate anybody willing to contribute and help us! This is really going to be a positive change in my day to day life and it means a lot to me to live a fully independent life. Thank you for all considerations! 

-Brooklyn and soon-to-be service dog Jet