Molly's Cardiac Service Dog for Law School

Hi! My name is Molly, and I have been struggling with a heart condition called POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) for the last year and a half. Because of my severe POTS case, my heart rate beats far too fast often leading to fainting, headaches, dizziness, brain fog, and painful heart palpitations. Unfortunately, my case is particularly treatment resistant and we have run out of other options besides mitigation. This is particularly pressing given that I will soon be attending law school.

My condition has become, at many times, detrimental to my academic and career performance. I have often passed out in dangerous situations, as my POTS attacks come out of nowhere. It has happened when I have been alone on the metro, in classes, in public areas like stores, and walking on the sidewalk in DC. In these situations, a dog would not only protect me from strangers but also alert if I was in need of hospitalization or medical attention.

Despite my condition, I have been able to successfully intern in the United States House of Representatives (Congressman Blumenauer), the United States Senate (Senator Merkley), the White House Executive Office of the President, and the National Association of the Deaf Policy Team. Each of these positions post diagnosis have included immense difficulty and the need for many accomodations related to my condition.

Academically, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA, Deans List, and have gained the title as a Schar Scholar within the George Mason Schar School of Policy Government. My original and cowritten research has been presented on a national level, including at the American Political Science Association in Montreal, Quebec. I will be graduating in May 2024 with a Bachelors in Government and International Politics.

However, I need assistance as I look forward to beginning my law career. I have been accepted to the Georgetown Law School in Washington DC, and will be starting classes in Fall 2024. In order to mitigate my condition in time for law school classes, I have placed an application and been accepted at Medical Mutts Service Dogs , a nonprofit organization focused on training service dogs specifically to help those with conditions such as mine. My dog will be able to detect episodes before they occur, helping me sit down, prevent an episode, and keeping others from interfering should I pass out in a public space. However, insurance will not cover service animals, particularly given how new POTS is. Even purchasing from a nonprofit, the cost of a service dog is roughly $18,000, with the addition of traveling to the facility to pick up my dog upon approval, totalling around $22,000 in total.

Because I will be putting myself through law school, covering a service animal by myself is impossible. I currently work as a course instructor and a research assistant and will likely continue an adjacent job throughout my years at law school. If you are able to spare any amount to help ensure my law school journey may continue uninterrupted by my condition, I would be incredibly grateful. Please email me if you have questions.

I have attached a link to Medical Mutts website , their instagram , as well as a video of their training process. They are an excellent and reputable company with lovely volunteer staff.