Assistance Dog For Shian

Hi my name is Shian, I am 20 years old and I am in dire need of YOUR assistance. 

I was born with a permanent disability known as Epidermolysis Bullosa, where
the internal/ external layers of skin blister and tear with heat and friction. This
condition means that any kind of movement is limited and general daily activities such as walking, writing, washing, wearing clothes etc. cause extreme pain and I
am usually confined to a wheelchair or bed if I try to keep up with a regular
routine. 



I have also developed multiple mental illnesses over time, namely PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, fear of abandonment,  and a struggle with eating disorders. These
illnesses have festered over 12 years due to the combination of a lifetime of
physical limitations and severe physical, emotional and sexual abuse from close
family members. As I get older these conditions continue to get more and more
debilitating to the point where I no longer have decent quality of life and feel
trapped in my home due to immense pain and fear. 


It has been recommended that I get a mobility/ psychiatric assistance dog to help regain my confidence and independence in daily life. My assistance dog will
increase my mobility around the home and allow me to experience a high enough
sense of security to leave the house. 

Its training will include: 

Alerting to migraines
Alerting to panic attacks
Alert to person coming up behind
Interrupting flashbacks
Interrupting freezing behaviour
Interrupting harmful behaviours
Interrupting nightmares
Interrupting panic attacks
Interrupting anxious behaviours
Retrieving clothing items
Retrieving dropped items
Retrieving medical kit
Retrieving items when pointed to
Retrieving wheelchair
Retrieving phone/ wallet
Retrieving items from a store shelf
Alerting a family member
Guiding to an exit
Guiding to a family member
Guiding to a safe space
Providing distraction
Crowd control
Checking a room
Light/ deep pressure therapy
Carrying grocery bags
Carrying purse
Dragging heavy items to a specific location
Loading/ unloading laundry
Assisting in position changes (sitting to standing etc)
Forward momentum in a wheelchair
Help into/ out of shower
Help remove clothing

At this stage in time I have been unable to leave my home at all as COVID 19 has 
encouraged my reclusiveness to a point where my mental health is at its lowest. I 
feel that the sooner I can receive an assistance dog the sooner I can begin to live my life again. Even my experiences with support workers, psychologists and
medications have only worsened my condition or increased my levels of stress to the point where I am convinced that this is my last option. 

I have been given the opportunity to purchase a suitable golden retriever puppy 
in November 2020, given I have the funds available. Once the puppy is purchased its training and bonding with myself will commence immediately. Once the puppy reaches 6 months of age it will be certified and trained further through the 
organisation Radical Assistance Dogs (RAD).

If you or anyone you know can help, every dollar counts.