- B
I rescued Ella when she 8 weeks old and she has been my rock ever since. For almost five years now, I’ve been self-training her as my psychiatric service dog. After a tumultuous life filled with loss and pain, Ella is an uplifting light, and has an uncanny ability to ground me during times of great psychological distress. From flashbacks to panic attacks, I have spent years teaching her how to be the best service dog possible, and I have done it all on my own.
I’m in college on full scholarship, apart of 4 research teams, and work two jobs to support myself and my service dog. On top of the hundreds of dollars in medical bills I pay every month, I’ll now have to spend the next few years paying off the sugery that just preserved Ella’s life. Managing multiple chronic illnesses isn’t easy, but my service dog makes life bearable. I’ve invested five years of money, training, and love into Ella. She is integral to my treatment program. During times of great psychological or physical distress, when staying present seems nearly impossible, Ella is the one who keeps me sane enough to function as best I can.
On Monday, April 1st, Ella woke up partially paralyzed. In a matter of hours she went from hobbling around to completely losing her ability to walk. Then she lost control over her bowel movements. After clear x-rays and blood tests, we tried medication. Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers were no help, so I made the costly decision of taking out loans to get an emergency CT. One of Ella's disc in her thoracic spine herniated and several others were on their way to rupturing as well. The neurological veterinarian suggested emergency surgery, meaning more loans, but how could I say no to giving my service dog the best possible chance at a healthy life, especially when that's exactly what she's done for me?
Ella has saved my life so many times. Now, it was time for me to save hers. Please, donate whatever you can to help me pay off these loans. Without help, I may have to forego my own medical treatment in order to pay off Ella's surgery. Please, help me and my service dog get one step closer back to our normal lives.
I’m in college on full scholarship, apart of 4 research teams, and work two jobs to support myself and my service dog. On top of the hundreds of dollars in medical bills I pay every month, I’ll now have to spend the next few years paying off the sugery that just preserved Ella’s life. Managing multiple chronic illnesses isn’t easy, but my service dog makes life bearable. I’ve invested five years of money, training, and love into Ella. She is integral to my treatment program. During times of great psychological or physical distress, when staying present seems nearly impossible, Ella is the one who keeps me sane enough to function as best I can.
On Monday, April 1st, Ella woke up partially paralyzed. In a matter of hours she went from hobbling around to completely losing her ability to walk. Then she lost control over her bowel movements. After clear x-rays and blood tests, we tried medication. Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers were no help, so I made the costly decision of taking out loans to get an emergency CT. One of Ella's disc in her thoracic spine herniated and several others were on their way to rupturing as well. The neurological veterinarian suggested emergency surgery, meaning more loans, but how could I say no to giving my service dog the best possible chance at a healthy life, especially when that's exactly what she's done for me?
Ella has saved my life so many times. Now, it was time for me to save hers. Please, donate whatever you can to help me pay off these loans. Without help, I may have to forego my own medical treatment in order to pay off Ella's surgery. Please, help me and my service dog get one step closer back to our normal lives.