Kasa and Gyro's Service Dog Funds!
Hello, my name is Kasa Nicholas and the handsome golden retriever mix pictured above is my rescue dog, Gyro. I am 22 years old, legally disabled and officially diagnosed with Aspergers, Depression, Severe Social Anxiety, Scoliosis, and Chronic Pain, and have recently adopted Gyro to be my Service Dog. It has been about two or three months as of 10/42015, since he has come to live with us and he has already proven to be a very helpful presence in my life. My family and neighbors have noticed that I have been more confident and talkative when Gyro is around and we hope this trend will continue.
Before I break down what your money will be going to should you choose to help me out, I will tell you a little about myself and a little about Gyro... just so you can get to know us both a bit better before we get into the specifics!
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I'll start with Gyro, because he really is just the sweetest boy and I am so enamored with him.
He's a big love bug, probably between 7 and 12 months old, and is a Golden Retriever/German Shepher mix.
He's blind in his left eye, but he doesn't let it bother him at all, and just goes about life as if he doesn't have a single thing wrong with his physical health. He's pretty passive most of the time and doesn't generally enjoy playing rough. Mainly he just wants to run and run and chase other dogs and sticks and swim in lakes and go on walks with me.
He doesn't have an aggressive or fearful bone in his body, though he can be a little stubborn because of his age and lack of training, but is always happy to please his people and loves nothing more than to lay at my feet after he's gotten his puppy energy out. 
Gyro is perfect for the job we'll be training for him to do. Service dogs are born not made, and he has the personality for the job for sure. I think I was meant to meet him, and he was meant to meet me. We'll make a good team.
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Now, for me... As I said before, my name's Kasa, and I am a legally disabled individual. I have mental and physical disabilities, though my mental disabilities are the most severe.
I have a hard time being in public, especially by myself and panic attacks come hard and often. Most of the time I cannot even look at people, let alone talk to them, and my responses are limited to sideways glances, one word answers, and half-hearted grunts. And that's on a decent day. I'm sad to say on a bad day, I'm the kind of person who has to bite down the urge to yell or knock something over or knock my head against the wall, and I can often be seen hitting myself in the leg to distract myself until its time for mom and I to leave the store, doctor's office, or other public place.
I find it really hard to talk to men, especially if they seem to be over 30, and often break into tears when talking to someone who is in a position of power (teachers, police offers, etc.)
I've never been able to have a proper job because there's no way I can hold my own without emotional and physical support. I tried once, and I had to quit the very same day because it wasn't three hours before I had locked myself crying in the bathroom. The physical and mental stress was just too much for me.
I've had to drop out of college three times due to an inability to concentrate on classes, a constant desire to flee from the classroom, pain, mental breakdowns, or a combination of the three.
All of that changes immediately when there's a dog around though. Especially Gyro, and I'm sure Gyro's effect will be multiplied once he's a trained service dog.
I'm not sure I can explain to you exactly what switch in my head it is that the presence of a dog triggers, but suddenly it's like... the world isn't as scary and threatening a place, and I'm not as small and fragile a thing. I am strong, my dog is with me, and I can talk. It's nice, and I really need this going forward.
I will tell you this now:
Raising this 7k so Gyro can become my service dog will open doors for me.
I need this. This isn't just something a "kid wants", and believe I do understand that sentiment, this is something a "young adult needs". If this goes forward I think I might finally start being able to live a more normal and productive life and I ask your help to make that dream become a reality! A relatively "normal and productive life" along with my to-be lifelong service companion, Gyro.
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The money we raise through this fundraiser will be split between the following points:
-Training (Basic training, service training, etc.)
-Dog toys, bones, beds to keep him happy, entertained and comfy.
-Dog food and treats to keep him fed.
-Preventative healthcare to keep him healthy.
-Vet visits.
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About Art Related Reward Tiers!
I do digital art so all artwork will be delivered to you via e-mail, though I will be happy to send you a signed print should you request it! I specialize in "furry" art, which is a fancy way of saying I am good at drawing humans with animal heads, but am just as good at drawing your average human or your normal every day pooch or kitty.
Here are a couple of examples to show you what to expect if you donate enough for one of the Art Rewards:
LINK ONE - LINK TWO - LINK THREE - LINK FOUR 