Hi everyone,

My name is Kaliyah Leake, and I’m a 23-year-old high school math teacher who absolutely loves helping students grow in confidence and curiosity. While I pour my heart into the classroom, I’ve been privately managing several serious chronic health conditions that make daily life a real challenge.

I live with dysautonomia, specifically POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), as well as hypermobility spectrum disorder, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), and other autoimmune diseases. These conditions cause a wide range of symptoms like fainting, extreme fatigue, dizziness, joint instability, brain fog, and heart rate fluctuations — all of which can make everyday activities unpredictable and, at times, unsafe.

After speaking with my doctors and medical team, I’ve been approved to receive a specially trained service dog to help me manage these symptoms and regain my independence. This service dog would be trained to:

-Alert me to changes in heart rate and oncoming fainting episodes

-Provide mobility and bracing support for joint instability

-Retrieve important items during flare-ups

-Offer grounding during moments of disorientation and fatigue

-Help me safely navigate public spaces and long school days

The cost of a fully trained medical service dog is over $25,000, and unfortunately, none of this is covered by insurance. As a young teacher managing rising medical expenses, this is a cost I simply can’t meet on my own — which is why I’m reaching out for help.

Your support — whether through donations or by sharing my story — would mean the world to me. This dog isn’t just a medical necessity; it’s a lifeline. With your help, I can keep showing up for my students and living life with more safety, confidence, and stability.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read, support, and share. I’m truly grateful.

With love and gratitude,

Kaliyah Leake