Service Dog for Duo
Donation protected
Hey, guys. My name's Duo Groff. I'm a 25 year old freelance artist living in Louisville. (Picture is very old and of me and my first dog at obedience school.) I'm a trans male living with my partner and our mutual friend and roommate and our cats and bunny. We've been through some hard spots, but we're slowly trying to get ourselves on our feet.
Over the past 6-7 years, I have been seen by various therapists and doctors, and have received several diagnoses including PTSD and ASD. I am on medication, in regular therapy, and in good contact with my doctors. However, it is still difficult for me to lead a normal life. My doctor recently, after over a year of discussion and several years of investigating proceedings, has finally granted me a letter approving me for a service dog. My existing ESA, my cat named Lady Une, is wonderful. But I truly need a companion who can accompany me everywhere I go. And I and my doctors believe a service dog could help me.
I plan on adopting a rescue and training them myself with help from online Service Animal organizations. This is partly to keep the expense low, but also to give me greater agency over how I train and handle the dog, so that I may tailor their training to my needs. It will also serve as a productive activity for me during quarantine. After discussing this with workers at our local shelters, I have been advised that it would be best to adopt a puppy rather than an adult, due to them being much more receptive to training in most cases. Unfortunately, this increases the cost rather drastically.
Any money donated will go towards the adoption and licensing fee (around $300 depending on the shelter), as well as initial needs for the dog and beginning training lessons. I am not asking for more than that, as I hope that by getting a service animal I am able to start working normally and pay for the rest myself. Even if they are only in the training stages, I feel it would help my overall health.
Thank you to everyone who shares and donates. Understand, I do intend to eventually get a service dog one way or another. This fundraiser is only meant to speed up the process (possibly by several years). I completely understand that given the current state of the world, many people may be unable to donate. Thank you anyway for taking the time to look at this.
Over the past 6-7 years, I have been seen by various therapists and doctors, and have received several diagnoses including PTSD and ASD. I am on medication, in regular therapy, and in good contact with my doctors. However, it is still difficult for me to lead a normal life. My doctor recently, after over a year of discussion and several years of investigating proceedings, has finally granted me a letter approving me for a service dog. My existing ESA, my cat named Lady Une, is wonderful. But I truly need a companion who can accompany me everywhere I go. And I and my doctors believe a service dog could help me.
I plan on adopting a rescue and training them myself with help from online Service Animal organizations. This is partly to keep the expense low, but also to give me greater agency over how I train and handle the dog, so that I may tailor their training to my needs. It will also serve as a productive activity for me during quarantine. After discussing this with workers at our local shelters, I have been advised that it would be best to adopt a puppy rather than an adult, due to them being much more receptive to training in most cases. Unfortunately, this increases the cost rather drastically.
Any money donated will go towards the adoption and licensing fee (around $300 depending on the shelter), as well as initial needs for the dog and beginning training lessons. I am not asking for more than that, as I hope that by getting a service animal I am able to start working normally and pay for the rest myself. Even if they are only in the training stages, I feel it would help my overall health.
Thank you to everyone who shares and donates. Understand, I do intend to eventually get a service dog one way or another. This fundraiser is only meant to speed up the process (possibly by several years). I completely understand that given the current state of the world, many people may be unable to donate. Thank you anyway for taking the time to look at this.
Organizer
Tiffany Groff
Organizer
Louisville, KY