Meet Layla

Hi! My name is Layla McCleary, I’m 12 years old, and I live in Bend, Oregon. I’ve always had a very special love for animals, and now I’m hoping to welcome the most important animal of my life—a psychiatric service dog.

I have been diagnosed with Anxiety, OCD, and high-functioning Autism, which can make everyday things—like school, being in new places, or even just going through the day—feel really overwhelming. Sometimes I have panic attacks, and it’s hard for me to calm down on my own.

A service dog would be so much more than a pet. My service dog will be trained to:

The organization I’m applying to, The Service Dog Connection, (along with others) carefully trains dogs to support kids like me. But the training takes a long time and costs a lot of money—more than my family can manage alone. That’s why I’m reaching out for help.

I dream of having a service dog who can give me the courage to enjoy the things other kids my age do—like going to school without fear, joining activities, and just being able to live with more peace of mind.

Every donation, no matter how small, brings me closer to this life-changing partner. Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for helping me get one step closer to meeting my future best friend.

With gratitude,

Layla