Help Grace Receive Her Service Dog

We are in the process of getting a service dog for Grace. Her journey started in early 2018 with symptoms impacting her head and eyes. Everyday was a challenge for Grace and continues to be. Grace has seen multiple doctors and specialists, tried multiple medications, and various therapies. Late in 2018 Grace was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder, Visual Snow Syndrome . In addition to VSS Grace has a chronic migraine disorder. This coupled with her anxiety has only heightened the VSS symptoms.

 

Over time her condition became unbearable and Grace was medically excused from High School in 2019 (Junior Year) to focus on her health. Grace’s future hopes and dreams have taken a drastic turn which has negatively impacted her overall mental and physical health. We are grateful that Grace wakes each day to find the strength to make it to another day. There is no treatment or cure for Visual Snow Syndrome. Most cases of Visual Snow Syndrome effect people with a couple of symptoms, and in Grace's case she has all of them.

 

After extensive research, we have found an amazing organization Little Angels Service Dogs . After a thorough interview process Grace has been accepted to receive a service dog. These dogs cost $38,000 with a estimated wait up to 3 years before we receive a dog.  As part of this process we will be fundraising to potentially shorten the overall wait time.   Once fundraising is complete will be receiving a psychiatric service dog for Grace. The benefits the animal will provide to Grace: Anxiety alerts, pressure therapy, protective boundary control, and medication retrieval and overall comfort knowing she has someone with her at all times.

 

The final step, which is where all of you come in, is fundraising! Our family will be running other fundraisers as well as this GoFundMe page. All money raised goes directly to Little Angels, and once $38,000 is raised Grace will be moved from the fundraising waitlist to the actual dog waitlist. After fundraising is completed, it still takes an average of two years to be paired with the perfect dog!

 

After 2020 everyone has been impacted in various ways and we understand if you cannot donate. If you can donate, any amount is greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for helping Grace get closer to receiving her Service Dog - Annie & Matt