Service Dog for Mykaela Fuller

When Mykaela was 23 months old, she was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma a form of malignant brain cancer. Mykaela ended up having an egg size tumor removed from her ventricle, however had a mass in her the base of her spine that was inoperable.  After brain surgery, Mykaela was left paralyzed on her right side.  She was also blind and deaf on the right side and could not swallow due to the paralysis.  As her parents we were told that Mykaela had a long hard road to fighting the cancer and would always have issues if she was able to walk at all.  Mykaela started high dose chemo therapy that lasted 27 months.  She was also fitted with a mickey button for food.  During the 27 months of chemo Mykaela gained some of the use of her right side back.  She learned how to swallow again, talk for the second time and even learned how to walk again.  All that being said, she will always have a right sided weakness and coupled with the blindness and deafness, she struggles with stability.  Mykaela has always had a great sense of humor about it, she often laughs about running into a wall that she knows has always been there, however lost her balance when she walks around the corner.  Mykaela has been on a long difficult journey, but has never given up and always challenges herself to do better.  She has had two brain surgeries, four eye surgeries, two facial surgeries, and countless surgeries for port placements and removals.  Mykaela is now sixteen years old and has been cancer free for eleven years.  Mykaela has worked hard in school, despite her struggles.  She tends to stick very close to her parents to hold onto us as she walks especially in new places or within crowds, hiking is almost impossible with the balance issues.  When Mykaela has a head cold maneuvering anywhere in a straight line is nearly impossible.  Mykaela really wants to go to college, however is very nervous about it as she is occasionally very unstable.  This is where a stability dog will come into play.  With the assistance of a stability dog, Mykaela would be able to be independent to go to college, live on her own, and be a part of the community without a person to hold on to.  Service dogs cost as much as $30,000 to raise and train.  Canine Partners for Life, the organization that has accepted Mykaela's application, asks all their families to donate money to help with the cost.  These funds will be donated to CPL when a dog is matched to Mykaela.  The typical wait is anywhere from two to four years.  It is our main goal to work with CPL during this wait time by participating in classes and meeting staff so that they get to know Mykaela and her needs.  Our many trips will also help CPL match a dog to Mykaela that will be a great fit for her needs.  This is Mykaela's chance to be independent as a 16 year old and eventually go to college. The funds that are donated will go to Canine Partners for Life from $0 - $15,000 when Mykaela is matched.  Until then they will be placed in an account and wait with the rest of us. If we raise more than $15,000 then we will create a college fund for Mykaela to follow her dream of being an artist. If you would like to donate through the mail, email me for the address. Thank you for your help.