Hi, my name is Makana, and this is my service dog, Buddy. He has assisted me with my medical conditions for over 5 years, and recently with my transition back into college and in-person classes after the pandemic. He really means a lot to me, and each day I am grateful for his company and what lengths he goes to in order to help me. I really do believe he loves his job. Some of my medical conditions include severe panic attacks, PTSD, and anxiety, largely due to the domestic violence and abuse I suffered from my mother throughout my childhood. Buddy is trained to help me through these, and knows what to do if I black out or am otherwise unable to function.

 

Recently, in order to gain more control over me, my mother has been trying to take back my service dog in a recent dispute, since I was still a minor when she signed the adoption paperwork. I was able to get a restraining order filed against her after she flew up here to Oregon from California unannounced to attempt to stalk, threaten, and manipulate me into relinquishing Buddy to her. But unfortunately, when that didn't work out for her, she decided to take me, her own daughter, to court in order to try and make me surrender my service dog for good.

 

Now, I am asking for help. I am in desperate need of a lawyer, so that I can win this case, and keep my service dog, Buddy. I need to raise enough money before my court case on November 30th, 2021. Due to my relationship with my mother, and my recently deceased father, I have been working hard and taking out loans, in order to fully support myself and get through college with the goal of becoming a veterinarian and being able to help animals even a small fraction compared to how much they've helped me. I am asking for help raising these funds, because without this assistance, I will not be able to afford a good lawyer with my income. Without one, I am afraid I will not win my case, or stand a chance in court against my mother and her lawyer.

 

Please- help me keep my service dog.