Trip to Mayo Clinic & Service Dog
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I have posted this fundraiser in hopes of raising enough money to have my pup trained to be a service dog.
Update: I have raised my requested amount to $5500 (originally it was $3500) I have lost all faith and trust in my doctors. I have decided to sue for malpractice. My only option at this time is a hip amputation. Had my doctor done something, anything, at any time, over the past year to avoid my metal rubbing through the skin (and he had many opportunities) I would have never gotten an infection, and would not have to have my metal removed at all; My leg could have been repaired and I would still be using a prosthetic and able to walk. Because of my doctors negligence, I will likely never wear a prosthetic again.
I have increased my requested amount today by $2000 because I have decided my only hope is a 2nd opinion from the Mayo Clinic. Maybe they can leave a little of the bone so that I can still walk. Maybe they can find a way... But the Mayo Clinic is in Rochester MN and I am in Texas. They require you to come down for at least 5 days for testing and to meet with a team...
The extra $2000 added to my original goal of $3500 will be used for my travel to the Mayo Clinic.
As for Yogi- I have raised enough funds to have him trained! Thank you So much for those who shared and donated to make this happen.
Below is my original story for anyone interested in reading it.
About Yogi: Yogi is an AKC Golden Retriever who was born the first week in January 2018.
I picked Yogi up in late February, right after I was released from the hospital, the first time (this year)... While in the hospital I had an emergency surgery to realign my muscles and debride my bone and a metal implant that extends my femur - which had a severe Staph infection due to the metal implant rubbing through my skin. 
Coming home was stressful and painful but cuddling Yogi made the stress melt away... I'm not big on animals in my bed but having him there, however small, comforted me.
Since joining my family Yogi has worked on bonding, potty training and basic manners as well as public access manners and socialization. All service dogs go through basic training from about 10 weeks to 6 months... If not trained and well adjusted to potential stressors pups are likely to fail out of the more advanced service dog training... And not all pups, not even most pups, have the right stuff to be a service dog. However, Yogi was carefully selected and has the right stuff; he's got the perfect temperment. 
As for me, I returned to the hospital for another surgery in mid-March (my memory fails me on the exact day) and as of today, March 26th, I am still in San Antonio Military Medical Center for another couple days.  - Visits from Yogi and my twins help keep me sane.-
(Blue shirt was from today. I was in too much pain to play with the kiddos so I laid there and cuddled Yogi.)
Update: April 8th
I am in the hospital for the 3rd time now this year... I have been here a week, I am septic and unsure when I will go home. I have learned that I am no longer a candidate for the one surgery that would have allowed me to continue using a prosthetic. I will be having my leg amputated at my hip within thr next 3 months and it is unlikely I will every walk with a prosthetic again. I am taking this news pretty hard.
So why does an amputee need a service dog?
"Service dogs for people with limb loss or limb differences are trained to retrieve dropped items, turn light switches on and off, aid with dressing, and more. They can also increase mobility independence by opening doors, pulling a wheelchair or by acting as a balance or brace for transfers. These are all ways dogs can assist people with disabilities in a physical capacity, but the emotional benefits of service dogs are also tremendous." Amputee Coalition of America 
Service dogs also act as a buffer for the amputee and the public. Instead of people staring at the limb or prosthetic, the dog draws their attention away. People also are more aware of their surroundings and less likely to bump into an amputee if the dog is standing between them and the amputee.
As for me, going from being extremely active to losing my ability to walk has been an emotionally painful experience. Having Yogi around keeps my depression and anxiety at bay and helps me feel like there is hope rather than feeling overwhemed and hopeless.
Once I am healed and Yogi is trained I intend to spread his love by taking him to visit people in the hospital, on hospice care and in assisted living homes. I feel this must be my purpose and calling as I am an empath and derive joy from making people happy.
More About Me
I am an amputee with a rare vascular syndrome called Servelle Martorell Syndrome, which I have had since birth. My vascular syndrome, which has taken over 1/4 of my body (left lower quarter) affects my circulation and therefore the transport of nutrients which has also resulted in severe Osteopenia in the affected areas.
Below is a photo of my hip. Although I'm a little modest/insecure about showing pictures of my leg and other affected areas... I feel it is only fair that donors are able to understand my condition.
After my first amputation I was lucky to live a rather full and active life but after 2 years my bone disolved into a spike...
My doctors then did a revision by implanting a metal rod in my leg but that metal rod wore through the skin and got infected. Now it must be taken out...
Because of my severe Osteopenia my bone is not expected to survive the removal surgery and even if it does there won't be enough left to use a prosthetic. My leg will need to be amputate through my hip or possibly even through my pelvis. It was thought that I might be possible to do an osteointegration but as of April 7th is has become apparent that I am no longer a candidate for that surgery nor a hip prosthetic due to my various medical complication.
Unfortunately my syndrome is progressive/continues to get worse over time. There is no cure and I am quickly running out of options to keep the chronic pain at bay and time has run out for my leg.
Having Yogi as my service dog will help me continue thriving, maintain my independence, and will allow me to feel hopeful and positive rather than overwhelmed and hopeless.
Thank you for reading, sharing and if you're able to afford it, donating. <3 Your kindness and expression of love is very much appreciated!
Sincerely,
Laura
and
Yogi Bear-ra
P.S. Yes there are several organizations, like Canine Companions for Independence, that donate service dogs to people but the wait for a dog through those organizations is usually several years and often you still have to find sponsors to cover a portion of the cost... If I am unable to raise the funding to train Yogi, I will have to find him a new home so I can apply to one of these organizations with a long wait... Most of them will not accept an application if there are other dogs in the home as they are seen as distractions. It is extremely important that I raise these funds within the next 60 days to start Yogi's training asap.
If, by some miracle, the fundraising surpasses his training costs or someone volunteers to train him for free- the money will be saved for his future vetting expenses and any additional will go towards finishing my degree so that when I am healed up I can return to the workforce (doing desk/computer work) and earn enough to get off of SSD and still be able to support my children and myself. I hope that is a reasonable and respectful use of everyone's generosity.
I have posted this fundraiser in hopes of raising enough money to have my pup trained to be a service dog.
Update: I have raised my requested amount to $5500 (originally it was $3500) I have lost all faith and trust in my doctors. I have decided to sue for malpractice. My only option at this time is a hip amputation. Had my doctor done something, anything, at any time, over the past year to avoid my metal rubbing through the skin (and he had many opportunities) I would have never gotten an infection, and would not have to have my metal removed at all; My leg could have been repaired and I would still be using a prosthetic and able to walk. Because of my doctors negligence, I will likely never wear a prosthetic again.
I have increased my requested amount today by $2000 because I have decided my only hope is a 2nd opinion from the Mayo Clinic. Maybe they can leave a little of the bone so that I can still walk. Maybe they can find a way... But the Mayo Clinic is in Rochester MN and I am in Texas. They require you to come down for at least 5 days for testing and to meet with a team...
The extra $2000 added to my original goal of $3500 will be used for my travel to the Mayo Clinic.
As for Yogi- I have raised enough funds to have him trained! Thank you So much for those who shared and donated to make this happen.
Below is my original story for anyone interested in reading it.
About Yogi: Yogi is an AKC Golden Retriever who was born the first week in January 2018.
I picked Yogi up in late February, right after I was released from the hospital, the first time (this year)... While in the hospital I had an emergency surgery to realign my muscles and debride my bone and a metal implant that extends my femur - which had a severe Staph infection due to the metal implant rubbing through my skin. 
Coming home was stressful and painful but cuddling Yogi made the stress melt away... I'm not big on animals in my bed but having him there, however small, comforted me.
Since joining my family Yogi has worked on bonding, potty training and basic manners as well as public access manners and socialization. All service dogs go through basic training from about 10 weeks to 6 months... If not trained and well adjusted to potential stressors pups are likely to fail out of the more advanced service dog training... And not all pups, not even most pups, have the right stuff to be a service dog. However, Yogi was carefully selected and has the right stuff; he's got the perfect temperment. 
As for me, I returned to the hospital for another surgery in mid-March (my memory fails me on the exact day) and as of today, March 26th, I am still in San Antonio Military Medical Center for another couple days.  - Visits from Yogi and my twins help keep me sane.-
(Blue shirt was from today. I was in too much pain to play with the kiddos so I laid there and cuddled Yogi.)Update: April 8th
I am in the hospital for the 3rd time now this year... I have been here a week, I am septic and unsure when I will go home. I have learned that I am no longer a candidate for the one surgery that would have allowed me to continue using a prosthetic. I will be having my leg amputated at my hip within thr next 3 months and it is unlikely I will every walk with a prosthetic again. I am taking this news pretty hard.
So why does an amputee need a service dog?
"Service dogs for people with limb loss or limb differences are trained to retrieve dropped items, turn light switches on and off, aid with dressing, and more. They can also increase mobility independence by opening doors, pulling a wheelchair or by acting as a balance or brace for transfers. These are all ways dogs can assist people with disabilities in a physical capacity, but the emotional benefits of service dogs are also tremendous." Amputee Coalition of America 
Service dogs also act as a buffer for the amputee and the public. Instead of people staring at the limb or prosthetic, the dog draws their attention away. People also are more aware of their surroundings and less likely to bump into an amputee if the dog is standing between them and the amputee.
As for me, going from being extremely active to losing my ability to walk has been an emotionally painful experience. Having Yogi around keeps my depression and anxiety at bay and helps me feel like there is hope rather than feeling overwhemed and hopeless.
Once I am healed and Yogi is trained I intend to spread his love by taking him to visit people in the hospital, on hospice care and in assisted living homes. I feel this must be my purpose and calling as I am an empath and derive joy from making people happy.
More About Me
I am an amputee with a rare vascular syndrome called Servelle Martorell Syndrome, which I have had since birth. My vascular syndrome, which has taken over 1/4 of my body (left lower quarter) affects my circulation and therefore the transport of nutrients which has also resulted in severe Osteopenia in the affected areas.
Below is a photo of my hip. Although I'm a little modest/insecure about showing pictures of my leg and other affected areas... I feel it is only fair that donors are able to understand my condition.
After my first amputation I was lucky to live a rather full and active life but after 2 years my bone disolved into a spike...
My doctors then did a revision by implanting a metal rod in my leg but that metal rod wore through the skin and got infected. Now it must be taken out... Because of my severe Osteopenia my bone is not expected to survive the removal surgery and even if it does there won't be enough left to use a prosthetic. My leg will need to be amputate through my hip or possibly even through my pelvis. It was thought that I might be possible to do an osteointegration but as of April 7th is has become apparent that I am no longer a candidate for that surgery nor a hip prosthetic due to my various medical complication.
Unfortunately my syndrome is progressive/continues to get worse over time. There is no cure and I am quickly running out of options to keep the chronic pain at bay and time has run out for my leg.
Having Yogi as my service dog will help me continue thriving, maintain my independence, and will allow me to feel hopeful and positive rather than overwhelmed and hopeless. Thank you for reading, sharing and if you're able to afford it, donating. <3 Your kindness and expression of love is very much appreciated!
Sincerely,
Laura
and
Yogi Bear-ra
P.S. Yes there are several organizations, like Canine Companions for Independence, that donate service dogs to people but the wait for a dog through those organizations is usually several years and often you still have to find sponsors to cover a portion of the cost... If I am unable to raise the funding to train Yogi, I will have to find him a new home so I can apply to one of these organizations with a long wait... Most of them will not accept an application if there are other dogs in the home as they are seen as distractions. It is extremely important that I raise these funds within the next 60 days to start Yogi's training asap.
If, by some miracle, the fundraising surpasses his training costs or someone volunteers to train him for free- the money will be saved for his future vetting expenses and any additional will go towards finishing my degree so that when I am healed up I can return to the workforce (doing desk/computer work) and earn enough to get off of SSD and still be able to support my children and myself. I hope that is a reasonable and respectful use of everyone's generosity.
Organizer
Laura Denney
Organizer
Fort Hood, TX
