A Life-Saving Companion: Help Us Fund a Service Dog for PNES

Hi, I’m Katie Dobbs, and I’m creating this GoFundMe to support my husband, Allen, to get a service dog that he requires as we navigate our new normal of life.

Allen and I have been married for almost eight years now, and we have two little boys together, Anderson (4) and Shepard (2). Allen has always been the most patient, loving, kind, and generous husband and father to myself and our children. He is dedicated to serving and providing for our family and always puts our needs over his. He works as a golf course superintendent and selflessly drives over an hour commute so that we can live in the community that we want to live in. After spending all day outside, Allen comes home and serves our family by playing with our boys nonstop, cooking dinner, and spending time in the Word. Allen is a dedicated believer and has a passion for understanding the Word and using music to serve the Lord.

In March of 2024, Allen started having seizures in his sleep. After a week-long hospitalization, the cause of the seizures was undetermined, but the seizures were manageable since they were in his sleep. In October of 2024, Allen's seizures became more severe, and his personality started to change. He started having them while he was awake, and they became frequent and violent. On October 20th, 2024, Allen had a very violent seizure which triggered a series of 5 seizures over the course of two hours. Allen was hospitalized and unresponsive for 18 hours after the seizures. During Allen's hospital stay, he was diagnosed with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES). These seizures began after Allen was exposed to a trigger from his childhood earlier in the month of October. Allen's seizures are a very real response to his PTSD, severe childhood trauma, and stress.

Since leaving the hospital in October, Allen has had over 30 seizures, one that caused him to have an almost fatal accident. After Allen's accident, his doctors feel that it is necessary for him to get a service dog to help support him with his seizures, PTSD, and night terrors. We believe that a service dog would not only keep Allen safe and comforted, but it will aid in the healing of our whole family since our family has been so greatly impacted by this.

Trigger Warning

This video contains footage of someone experiencing seizures. It may be distressing for individuals with a history of epilepsy, PNES, or sensitivity to medical emergencies. Viewer discretion is advised.

(All footage has been cleared by Allen to bring awareness to PNES. I HIGHLY recommend recording any medical emergency so that you can show medical professionals. This tip was given to us by an emergency room doctor and has helped Allen’s care team tremendously).



What would a service dog do?

The purpose behind this GoFundMe is to help with the cost of a service dog. There are many organizations that sponsor and donate service dogs to veterans with PTSD, however we have run into the issue of finding any programs that provide service dogs to the general public with severe PTSD. With the cost being at least $20,000 for a trained dog, it is simply something that we cannot afford. Since this is something that could potentially save Allen's life, we are doing everything we can to ensure that Allen can be provided with a dog as soon as possible. Any donations would be very appreciated, and every donation, no matter the size, would greatly impact our cause. 100% of donations will go to the cost of the service dog and training. If we are blessed enough to receive too much, the remainder will be donated to a service dog-based program to help others in need of service dogs as well.

If you are unable to provide financially, we would love for you to join us in prayer.

Prayer Requests:

Thank you so much for supporting my family, whether it be through prayer and encouragement or finances. We could not do it without you.