Support Selena's Journey to Independence with a Service Dog

Hi everyone, my name is Selena Swanson, and I’m a 19-year-old living with chronic illnesses and autoimmune disorders that make everyday life a challenge. I have Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These conditions cause chronic pain, dizziness, fainting, extreme fatigue, and overwhelming anxiety, making it difficult to go through daily life on my own.

Ever since I was diagnosed, all I’ve ever wanted was to feel normal. I have watched my family and friends move forward in life—going to school, working, traveling, and enjoying their freedom—while I feel stuck, left behind, and unable to achieve what I’ve dreamed of. While they go out and live their lives freely, I have spent countless days and weeks in hospitals and emergency rooms. I get infusions every two weeks, each lasting two and a half hours. At this point, the hospital has become my second home. From the outside, I may not look sick—but on the inside, my body is constantly at war with itself.

My AMPS causes severe chronic pain throughout my entire body, and even the slightest touch can feel unbearable. Normal pain is amplified for me, making everyday activities incredibly difficult. At times, the pain is so overwhelming that I need assistive devices like a walker or a wheelchair just to get around. On bad days, I don’t even get out of bed.

My POTS causes dizziness, headaches, nausea, lightheadedness, blurred vision, fatigue, fainting, and tachycardia (a dangerously high heart rate). Hot or warm water makes my symptoms worse because it causes my blood vessels to dilate, increasing my risk of fainting. I also can’t be outside in hot weather for too long, as it triggers my POTS and can cause me to faint or experience syncope. To help manage my symptoms, I take beta blockers to regulate my heart rate and attend physical therapy to improve my mobility and strength. I also have to consume three times the average person’s salt intake and drink large amounts of fluids.

After discussing my condition with my cardiologist, we talked about how a service dog could be life-changing for me. These specially trained dogs can help with tasks like alerting to medical episodes before they happen, providing mobility support, grounding me during PTSD episodes, and ensuring my safety when I’m alone. Most importantly, a service dog could help me regain a sense of independence and hope for the future.

After searching for a year, I have finally found my service dog prospect—her name is Promise! We met in mid-January, and we immediately connected. She is a perfect match for me, and I know she will make an incredible difference in my life. Promise’s birthday is February 15th, and she is currently in training to become my service dog. She will be task-trained for deep pressure therapy (DPT) to increase blood flow, retrievals, and cardiac alert to warn me before I have a fainting episode.

Promise is scheduled to come home at the end of March, but she will continue her ongoing training even after she arrives. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover the cost of a service dog, and I have to pay for everything out of pocket. I have looked into assistance programs, but due to my diagnosis, there are no available options.

Despite my health challenges, I find joy in sketching, painting, writing, and playing video games when I’m able to. I love observing nature and appreciating the little things in life. I’ve always had a deep love for animals—especially wolves. Ever since I was little, my dream has been to become a wolf biologist, studying and protecting these incredible creatures. A service dog would help give me the independence and stability I need to pursue my passions and live life to the fullest.

The total cost of my service dog is $5,000, but I am only asking for $3,500 to help cover a portion of this expense. Any funds raised beyond our goal will go toward Promise’s ongoing training to ensure she can provide the best possible support for me.

Every donation, big or small, brings me one step closer to bringing Promise home and gaining the independence and security I need. If you’re unable to donate, sharing my story would mean the world to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. Your generosity will truly make a difference in my life.

With love and gratitude,

Selena Swanson