4 Paws for Christina

I’m Christina, and I’m 12 years old.  I’m writing this because I really, really, really need a dog … that means I really want one a lot.  I don’t need just any dog; I need a service dog.  If there’s any way you can help me, please do.

Having a service dog would be like having a best friend with me all the time.  Friends look out for each other, and my service dog will look out for me.  He can sleep with me or play with me and even go to school with me.  He’d make sure I stay safe.   I used to play with my brother or the other kids.    I was used to running around, playing outside, running up and down stairs, playing tag or softball,  or if we were swimming, Marco Polo. I could do cart wheels and somersaults and balance on one foot.   Then I started having seizures.

There were so many seizures and so often, I had to have brain surgery.  And, after the surgeries my balance became affected and the right side of my body doesn’t work so that I can’t use my right arm and keep myself safe.

I’ve had three surgeries, and they all helped,   but I sometimes still have seizures.  I never know when they’re going to happen, and when they do, I can’t control them.   I don’t always know what’s going on around me and fall and hurt myself.  And seizures mean I can’t always remember stuff , and that can last for awhile. It’s embarrassing to have this body that just sometimes does weird and unpredictable things.  And it’s scary, too.  It makes me nervous.  

Having a service dog will help my mom trust me more, too, and that’s important.  I think it’s really important that she knows when I have a seizure.  She worries.  (I don’t even really like to talk about seizures)  My mom knows what I used to do, and she knows I want to be able to do some of that stuff again.  She thinks a service dog will help me be more self confident.  I still like people, but I’m more shy around them now.  “What if I have a seizure?”  My dog can help me in crowds, with my mobility and with my self confidence. 

I think I’m old enough I can take care of my dog, too.   I know that dogs need food and water and to be walked.  I can do that.  Even if I didn’t have seizures, I’d still like to have a dog.  I’ve always liked animals and going to the zoo.  Right now I have a collection of different stuffed animals, all sizes, and they all have names.   I think I’d like to be a veterinarian when I grow up.

A service dog sounds special to me.  I don’t understand how they can help in so many ways from Behavior Disruption (Lap, Nuzzle and Deep Pressure), to Balance; even, Doors Open/Close, Retrieval, transports a Backpack to Carry Items, and Seizure/Scent Alert.   I guess that’s why getting one is so expensive. 

I think they must be carefully trained  …  just like so many people are helping me learn how to do things I once did so easily.  Right now, I’m saving to get my service dog, and if there is any way you can help me, thank you.

PS  My friend Willi helped me write this.  Willi’s a girl, and she knows I need a service dog.  Even though I like being independent, I know I can use all the help I can get. 

Please feel free to share my MightyCause page with others: 

https://www.mightycause.com/story/Chlxhf?fbclid=IwAR1Bk8DRyP6qMnuSeV55tXh98U1UgYlljh76xMAVW4lM7xH2TcYevtaKKQs