Hi, my name is Eric, and I work as a special education teacher in a rural school district in Central New York State. For the first time in my career, I have received tenure and plan to continue working with students who deserve the best they can get from me. Mental health awareness is a big part of my life because I have been struggling with it for years, and I know many of my students are also dealing with it.

I am creating this project because I have been living with anxiety and depression since I was in the 10th grade, which is when it started to affect my life in negative ways. I had my first panic attack the summer between 9th and 10th grade when I attempted to go on a trip without my family to a Boy Scout camp in New Mexico. I was unable to complete the journey and came home early. Since then, I have had an increasing amount of panic and anxiety attacks making weeks and sometimes even months of my life hard.

I have contacted a non-profit and had an initial interview for a psychiatric service animal. Additionally, I have reached out to a local trainer of service dogs and learned how expensive this process is.

As a newly tenured teacher, I don't have the savings built up to be able to cover this all on my own. The funds I raise through this project will help either pay for most of the cost of the trainer or handle some of the fundraising I will need to do for the non-profit.

Hi, my name is Eric Robinson, and I’ve lived in Syracuse my whole life. I’ve dedicated nearly 20 years to teaching middle and junior high school students as an ELA and special education teacher. I’ve also coached varsity and modified track, advised student organizations, and planned field trips to enrich my students’ learning. I love my job, and I love helping students succeed—but I also struggle daily with anxiety and panic attacks, something I’ve battled since I was 14 years old.

Over the years, I’ve tried various treatments—therapy, medication, TMS, massage, and acupuncture—but I’ve reached a point where I need additional support. That’s why I’m raising funds for a psychiatric service dog. This service dog will not only be essential to my well-being, helping me navigate my daily struggles, but it will also have an impact on my students. This dog is coming in August, and I am working multiple jobs and putting together some in person fundraisers to secure the funding I need to not only pay for the dog but to make sure I can care for it as well.

A Life of Service & Community Impact

Giving back has always been a core part of my life. At 15, I became an Eagle Scout, completing a project to build birdhouses at Gillie Lake in Camillus, NY. As an adult, I’ve continued my commitment to service through teaching, coaching, and community involvement:

Education & Student Support

Nearly 20 years teaching middle and junior high school

Planned multiple field trips to expand student learning opportunities

Advisor for National Honor Society, grade level advisor, and Odyssey of the Mind

Working on obtaining National Board Certification

Fundraising & Volunteering

Organized two 5K fun runs at school, raising $4,000 for charity

7-year volunteer with Recycle-A-Bull Bully Breed Rescue

11-year involvement in fundraising for Clear Path for Veterans, raising over $60,000

Personal & Professional Growth

Tuba player for 8 years in West Genesee Marching Band

Newest member of Harmonic Collective, a men’s barbershop chorus

Part-time job at Case Marina, assisting customers with boat services

The Power of a Service Dog

This service dog will provide me with stability, comfort, and assistance in moments of high anxiety. It will allow me to continue doing what I love—helping students—without being held back by panic attacks. Additionally, this dog will be trained to assist students in my classroom who may be struggling with their own mental health challenges.

My students and their families have shared how much my support has meant to them:

Former Student:“You are my favorite teacher, and you help me with anything I need. When something happens at school, you help me settle down. You even help me with my math homework when I need it.”

Parent of Former Student:“Mr. Robinson is amazing. Last year, he actually took the time to talk to me about my daughter’s struggles. To him, the kids aren’t just bodies filling a classroom; they are students he genuinely wants to help.”

12th Grade Student:“Mr. Robinson was my resource teacher for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Even though I don’t have him as a teacher anymore, he still shows up for me. He came to my senior night game just to support me. When I feel down or upset, I always go to him because he understands. He wants to see us succeed.”

How You Can Help

Raising a service dog requires significant financial investment. Your donation will help cover the cost of:

Acquiring a specially trained psychiatric service dog

Ongoing training and certifications

Veterinary care and essential supplies

If you’re able to contribute, I would be forever grateful. If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign with others would mean the world to me. Thank you for helping me take this step toward a better, healthier future.

$5000 will be going to Susquehanna Service Dogs to pay for the dog

Any additional funding will go towards paying for expenses while in PA for three weeks for training and for caring for the dog once he or she is with me full time.