Fido for Frannie, Service Dog

Francessca has Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Gastroparesis, Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS), Thrombocytopenia and Monoclonal Mast Cell Activation Disease. These diseases are very rare and they have affected Francessca's life beyond comprehension. She is very limited due to reactions, and how these diseases and especially how the mast cells affect her physically, emotionally and mentally. 

Since 2011, Francessca has been pretty much home bound except for when she goes to medical appointments or an occasional outing to visit with her grandparents or a store in the wee hours of the morning. You see-- Francessca's body reacts to scents, things in her environment, foods, medications, exercise and even her emotions.

She has to wear a Vogmask to protect her from scents both inside the house and out. In addition, she uses a wheelchair for distance, or any type of prolonged standing. I call her the "girl in a bubble"...not because she wants to be but because the disease makes life pretty complicated because she is allergic to everything.  

Thank God she has a sense of humor...lol

As you can imagine with these rare diseases and all the restrictions that occur, they cause huge limitations on Francessca. She must preplan everything and calculate every move. It has changed the way she eats, where she can go and what she can do. It has affected how we live our life including the people around us. 

We are fundraising to raise funds to train her puppy as a service dog. A service dog would help Francessca both physically,emotionally and mentally. A service dog will be able to calm her as her body becomes too anxious from the overabundance of mast cells. A service dog can help her by blocking and making her feel safe. The dog can offer stability and sense when she will faint or go into anaphylaxis. She's been so stifled by these rare diseases and the doctor feels a service dog would help to give Francessca stability and freedom. Maybe she will even get to go out with a friend or to a mall like a "normal" young girl.

A service dog is EXTREMELY costly. Training, transportation, yearly medical care and maintenance will require lots of money. We have found some trainers that are willing to help us train Zayla to work as Francessca's service dog. However, there is a huge fee that comes with training and with both of us sick and disabled, this task seems daunting and impossible. However, with faith in God we know it can happen. If you find it in your heart to donate (every dollar helps), we would greatly appreciate it. A service dog will mean independence and freedom for Francessca. The estimate just for training is $10,000. dollars. The remaining will be used for medical expenses. Although I have a medical plan for Zayla it is only a "wellness plan" which means it covers shots and necessary medications for fleas/heartworms etc...It will not cover if she gets sick or if we have an emergency.



God has helped bring peace to Francessca. When we don't have money to pay a bill things always work out and I know God will help us do this too for Francessca. God is good and he knows what a service dog would mean to Francessca.

We appreciate taking your time to read this. If you find it in your heart to donate it doesn't matter how big or how small EVERY dollar counts...it WILL be appreciated and we THANK YOU from the bottom of our heart!

You can also donate through www.paypal.me/fidoforfrannie

Thank you very much.
Sincerely
Mary and Francessca