Leah & Ayla Could Use Your Help
Hi and welcome to the GoFundMe to support Leah as she trains and raises her new service dog, Ayla.
I met Leah just about ten years ago when she and her late service dog, Penny, came to work out of my office. It was amazing to finally have someone I could relate to, a friend and fellow co-worker that also appeared and did things a little different from my able bodied team mates- and Leah was a wonderful addition too. Hahaha. Honestly though, I was always taken by Leah and Penny, in fact that is how Leah is still listed in my phone "Leah & Penny"... The two were thick as thieves and there for one another ALWAYS, right to the very end of Penny's life. The two worked like one, despite all the challenges they faced along their way.
Now, imagine if you can, loosing not only your best friend and confidant, your pet, your heart... And your freedom. You see that is the reality of the passing of a loyal service animal, you aren't just loosing the animal, you are loosing all of the service and support they offered you at the very same time. So, despite Leah's broken heart, she knew that in order to be able to enjoy life she needed to find another Penny that would hopefully bring her so much more than luck.
The good news is that Leah has found and been untied with her next disability support, her new personal service animal and her name is Ayla. What you might not know, is just how much a service dog costs... Most people think that service animals are covered by charities or government programs, but the truth is that there is very little available to people who have needs that aren't well known and/or well funded. This means that Leah is on the hook for ALL costs associated with Ayla, her training, her care- and being her best friend, I cannot just let that go, and I am hoping if you have anything extra you might be able to help these two very deserving beings as they set part on their life long relationship.
Costs of Raising a Service Animal:
- The actual puppy cost was $5,000 with delivery. Leah researched and selected the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever after much consultation with vet and dog experts. Chosen for their specific temperament and personality traits that make them an appropriate match for what Leah needs in a service dog. Covid made it harder to find a suitable puppy due to increased demand.
- New gear and working dog equipment because Ayla is quite a bit smaller than Penny was (and will be even when she’s full grown). Equipment & gear $2000 - $3000
- Minimum international training standards for service dogs is 120 hours over at least 6 months, including 30 hours of public access training. Depending on tasks and the individual dog, training could be up to 540+ hours. They all start with basic puppy classes and foundational skills needed just to be a well socialized and well behaved dog. It is estimated that Ayla will likely need at least 300 hours of training. Basic & intermediate puppy training/ foundational skills $1500 – 3000+, advanced training $15,000 - $37,500+ (120 hours over 6 months (minimum) = 1hr x 5 times/week (including 30 hrs in public) @ $125/hr (average dog trainer cost) = $15,000. Estimated 300 hours = $37,500.00)
- Of course there are also the regular “maintenance” costs (i.e food, ongoing vet care, pet insurance, etc.) They do include basic vet care for the first year or so until she's officially "full grown" as they can’t be a service dog if they have health problems so the vet needs to do basic wellness exams, plus spay & vaccination costs. Initial vet costs $1500 – 2000
For those that are counting that is: $25,000 to $50,500 for Leah's autonomy and freedom... Hence me thinking that some of us in the crowd would be able to help.