Tyler's Service Dog

My name is Tyler and I am 14 years old.  I am trying ot raise money for a psychiatric service dog.  I'm sure you have many questions as to why I might need a service dog and how I think it would help me.  I suffer from depression and social anxiety.  When I am in a situation with more than 2 close people or companions, my whole body starts to shake, then I start hyperventilating and eventually I break down or try to run away and hide.  When  I was little, I was considered shy and an introvert.  I used to ask my mom to tell my friends that I couldn't play because it was too much to be around them.  People would invite me over to their houses but I would have to leave shortly after arriving because I got too anxious being around people.  As I got older, it started to affect my schooling.  Just being in a classroom causes me to panic.  I start getting nervous "tics".  One of my teacher's gets upset at me because she says I look like she's going to beat me when she talks to me.  I can't help it.  I get so anxious that I flinch when she gets near me or talks to me.  I don't think she will hurt me but my body won't relax.  I try really hard to fit in but it isn't working.  I can't concentrate on school.  I can't concentrate on anything but my fears.

I have a psychiatrist, my guidance counselor and a family counselor working with me now but I have also worked with psychotherapists and clinical psychologists. I take medication for ADHD, anxiety and depression.  Nothing seems to work.

A few weeks ago, we had visitors to our school.  One of the people was talking about service dogs and how their particular service dog helped her son.  He was a lot like me.  I instantly felt a connection and also felt hope.  Once everyone cleared out, I gathered my nerve and went to talk to the lady about how I could get a service dog.  I was so excited that I told my mom as soon as I got home; I talked to my counselor and my psychiatrist and they all agreed that this is a wonderful option.

A psychiatric service dog trained in anxiety disorders will be able to recognize the physical signs I exhibit when I start to get anxious. The dog will then take action to help me through it. It will either comfort me by putting pressure on me, distract me, make me pet her, bark, or remove me from the situation by leading me away from what is going on that is causing the reaction. In situations where the dog isn’t able to help, she will go get help from a human caretaker. When I'm  feeling depressed and anxious, my dog will be there. A constant companion willing to provide solace as only a good dog can.  I want to be able to participate in family events, such as holidays and weddings, without wanting to run away.  I want to be able to sit in a classroom and focus without shaking and drawing attention to myself.  I want to be able to eat in a restaurant with my family without losing my appetite because I'm so anxious being around people.  


Training can take anywhere from six months to a year, depending on the dog and the level of training required. So it’s not surprising they cost from $10,000 to $30,000. 

A service dog will give me more confidence to live life as a normal 14-year-old should without being worried that I'm going to freak out or embarrass myself.  I will have my constant companion to help me through life in a way that my mom and doctors aren't able to.

Please help me by offering me the opportunity to live my life to the fullest.