Support Mark's Service Dog Training

Story

Mark was diagnosed with Frontal Temporal and Lewy Body Dementia on Dec 4th and has been thrust into an early retirement through disability. Over the past 2 years, he has had numerous short-term and FMLA leaves for an IGg immune deficiency. As a result of all the accumulated time away from working full-time, and receiving only 60% of a vastly reduced base pay, we have subsequently gone through 90% of our savings. In Feb, we were graciously gifted a mini Australian Shepherd that is beginning his Service Animal training on March 6th. The goal will be to reduce the anxiety and agitation that is associated with the rapid cognitive decline that Mark has been experiencing. This training will eventually assist in alerting when behavioral changes and confusion present dangerous situations that ultimately appear when hallucinations and continued brain volume loss occur. Mark is an extremely humble man and we have always put ourselves on the side of giving and helping others, so it's not easy to ask others for help. March is the first month we literally have nothing coming in and, while we have applied for disability benefits, we have no idea how long that process will ultimately take. If anyone would like to donate toward the service training of our puppy, Lewy, and consider helping us to fill a gap between income loss and the onset of his disability, we graciously and humbly appreciate you and your generosity. We were not prepared to simply retire and had no warning nor time to even prepare and want to be sure to publish that, had we not already utilized so much of our reserves over the past 2 years, this request would not be necessary. At all times, our integrity is not for sale and we do not take your kindness lightly. Thank you for your consideration.