A Service Dog for Halla

Halla is a twenty-two year old student in Regina who lives with bipolar disorder, PTSD, anxiety, OCD tendencies, and an eating disorder. Managing these multiple illnesses is incredibly difficult and complex. Although Halla relies on several forms of treatment, including: medication, therapy, educational resources, and support from family and friends, she needs additional assistance. This may seem confusing to some. Halla has appeared to successfully work and attend classes in the past without a service dog, and may come across as a happy healthy person. Many people may not know that Halla works hard daily to maintain her health, and working while going to school part-time has ultimately resulted in multiple hospitalizations. Halla’s family and her team of medical professionals agree that the best way to supplement her needs is through the use of a service dog.


Service dogs can be life changing supports for people with medical ailments and disabilities. This includes mental illnesses. For Halla, a service dog would be trained in anxiety alert, deep pressure therapy, self-harm interruption, retrieval of emergency medications, dignified exits, and an element of guide/mobility work. A dog trained in these tasks would assist Halla to manage her illnesses, and allow her to work towards living independently as a typical adult.


From 2016-2018, Halla was training her dog Luna to perform all of these tasks with the help of a private service dog trainer. Unfortunately, on July 10, 2018, Luna passed away tragically and suddenly. Since then, it has become even more apparent that effective treatment for Halla includes the use of a service dog. Halla reached out to a fully certified service dog trainer in Edmonton to assist her in finding a reputable breeder. The trainer recommended Valhalla Mountain Kennels and Halla decided to adopt a dog through this organization.


We are thrilled that on October 27, Halla was notified that a puppy had been born! Halla saved as much as she could, and was able to pay the deposit for the puppy herself. The puppy will be old enough for Halla to pick him up in Calgary at the end of December, 2018. Halla plans to begin full-time service dog training with the previously mentioned certified trainer in January of 2019 in Edmonton. During this time, Halla will not be working due to her illnesses.


 
On average, training and caring for a service dog to the point where it can work in public spaces costs upwards of $20,000. We are asking for funds to support the start-up costs of adopting, caring for, and training Halla’s new service dog. The money from this fundraiser will go towards the purchase of Halla’s dog, travel costs to and from Calgary and Edmonton, veterinary bills, supplies to care for the dog, service dog equipment, and training costs. Funds will be held in an independent savings account so that Halla can manage it separately and provide updates on her progress with the dog.

 
There are a few ways that you can contribute. You may donate directly to this fundraiser, or purchase products from this link: Fundraising Shop. If you have any questions about this fundraiser or about service dogs, please feel free to ask Halla directly via social media (snapchat: halla_s, Facebook: Halla Scott).    


We all greatly appreciate your support!