UNLEASHING HOPE- Help Elena Fund Her New Service Dog!

Unleashing Hope:

Help Elena Fund Her New PTSD & Mobility Service Dog

Hello. My name is Laurie, & I am reaching out to you with a heartfelt plea on behalf of my courageous daughter, Elena. She is a remarkable young woman who has faced overwhelming life & health challenges with incredible strength & resilience. As a single mother of two adult children with special needs, I have navigated many obstacles, but right now, we face a pressing need in securing a new service dog for Elena.

Elena’s Health Challenges

At just 25 years of age, Elena faces daily health battles that would overwhelm the strongest of us. Her journey has been filled with immense challenges that impact her ability to work & live independently. Elena’s life has been profoundly impacted by a range of medical conditions, including Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), & inattentive ADHD. These conditions have impacted her daily life, making simple tasks & social interactions incredibly challenging.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) disrupts the central nervous system, which in Elena’s case, causes her an array of symptoms. In FND, the normal pathways your brain uses to move, feel, speak, walk, &/or think, are disrupted. This promotes symptoms in Elena such as paralysis (not being able to move part of the body), episodes that resemble seizures, extra movements such as tremor or jerks, problems with memory, tics & speech difficulties, poor concentration, chronic pain, & exhaustion. Alongside this, her PTSD from childhood trauma adds another layer of difficulty, often triggering night terrors, dissociation, & panic attacks. Her autism contributes to the complexity, with challenges in communication & social interaction.

Elena’s story is one of immense strength & perseverance in the face of great difficulties. Elena experienced childhood abuse & trauma that left deep scars, but she bravely escaped her abusive situation in 2018. For the first time in years, she was in a safe & calm environment, away from the constant adrenaline of survival mode.

Unfortunately, once she was no longer on high alert, her long-suppressed trauma began to surface, & her health started to deteriorate rapidly. Despite these overwhelming challenges, Elena demonstrated incredible resilience. She completed her university studies online with honors & secured a government job that allowed her to work from home, alongside her loyal service dog. Her determination & hard work were nothing short of inspiring. However, Elena’s symptoms worsened significantly in 2020. By 2021, her condition had escalated to the point where she required live-in care.

Elena’s extended family has come to our aid helping to get her to & from weekly medical appointments while I am working & assisting with in home care. Unfortunately, many of Elena’s treatments are not covered by OHIP, & the financial burden is becoming increasingly overwhelming. Elena is still currently unable to work & is supported by five healthcare professionals. Despite her circumstances, Elena remains an inspiration, striving to stay positive & hopeful. Her journey is a testament to her incredible inner strength & her unwavering resolve to keep moving forward.

The Importance of a Service Dog

Elena’s current service dog, Enzo (a Black German Shepherd), has been an indispensable part of her life providing support & unconditional love. I genuinely believe that without him, Elena would not be with us today. Enzo has been her savior in so many ways. He has provided essential support, from assisting with mobility & bracing, to offering emotional comfort & security during episodes. However, our beloved Enzo is aging & nearing his service retirement. As a result of this, & Elena’s evolving needs, we urgently need to secure a new service dog that can support Elena’s increasing mobility requirements & offer continued independence and support in the days ahead.

The Cost of a New Service Dog

Securing & training a new service dog is typically a long, challenging & costly process. We are working with Jager K9, an organization that specializes in training service dogs for individuals with specific needs to the highest standards. Due to Elena’s mobility demands, we have selected a male Labrador Retriever pup, who is anticipated to grow up to 75-80 lbs. for mobility & can be trained to support all Elena’s medical requirements. We currently have a puppy candidate who Elena has named Bruce; a chocolate Lab puppy has started his training!

The total cost to obtain and train a new service dog is $28,500, broken down as follows:

• Deposit for Puppy and Veterinary Care: $5,000

• Public Access Test Training: $4,500

• Training for Elena’s Specific Needs: $10,500

• Certification Process: $8,500

Training the New Service Dog

Funds raised will go directly toward acquiring & training a service dog tailored to Elena’s needs. This dog will perform essential tasks such as:

• Medical Alerts: Recognizing signs of FND seizures or PTSD episodes & alerting Elena or others.

• Mobility Assistance: Providing physical support, balance, and retrieving items.

• Emotional Support: Offering comfort, deep pressure therapy, and reducing isolation.

• Behavioral Assistance: Helping with redirection and grounding.

• Safety and Navigation: Guiding Elena and assisting in crowded environments.

• Social Interaction: Providing comfort in social situations.

Final Thoughts

Elena is a remarkable young woman whose strength & resilience inspires everyone who knows her. Despite the challenges she faces, she remains determined to live a fulfilling life & contribute positively to the world around her.

Your support would make a tangible difference in Elena’s life in the days ahead. Having the service dog she requires would provide her with the continued support she urgently needs to navigate each day with greater ease & confidence. And would allow her current dog Enzo to enjoy the retirement from service he deserves.

Please consider donating & sharing this fundraiser with your friends & family to help us reach our goal in funding a new service dog for Elena.

Thank you for your compassion & support.

With gratitude,

The Roberts Family