Service Dog Shuffle

By miapetitti

3 min read

Over a year ago, I made a decision I didn't think I'd be making as a then, 27/28-year-old. After experiencing some of the worst MS symptoms I'd had by then, I realized my independence needed to become a priority. I've had such wonderful help from friends and family, but debilitating symptoms can really set someone back mentally. Moments, when I was suddenly unable to do things I seemingly do every day without thought, would emotionally overshadow the fact that I had all the help I could ask for. It wasn't ME doing those things, and that took a toll. It wasn't so much my mother coming to straighten up the place or someone bringing me dinner, but more so walking to the bathroom, picking myself up off the floor, and planning shopping trips around other people's schedules.

SIT Service dogs

At that point, I chose to look into solutions, and I came across the option of a service dog. I did a lot of research and chose an organization called SIT Service dogs. A phone interview later I learned how intensive their training program was, and it made me feel extremely comfortable. It's a big decision, after all. I needed to get a prescription from my doctor and send in an evaluation of my personality and needs.

A hefty price tag

Along with the excitement of having a companion to aid in my independence, came a hefty price tag, however. The service dog would cost $12,000 whether I paid it all out of pocket, by fundraising, or a combination of the two. The total cost of the dog is twice that, but SIT covers the other half. Still, it's an incredibly intimidating number.

My fundraising experience

I started a GoFundMe and started researching other fundraising methods. The GoFundMe began great. In a relatively short amount of time, I was able to raise the $3,000 deposit needed to enroll me in the program officially. Since then, I've done a t-shirt campaign and a few benefit nights at a couple of restaurants. The benefit nights did not go well, as the percentage of each sale that would be donated to me was incredibly low. Despite a lot of disappointments, my family and friends came through, and as a result, I'm on the home stretch of finishing my payments. The downside is, I've been stuck at that same point for quite some time now. I've called and emailed a lot of different local businesses, and many of them don't respond to my inquiries about hosting a fundraising event. It's also incredibly hard to coordinate it all on my own. I work ten hours a day, which I know is a blessing that I can even still work in the first place. But, the other side of that is I don't have a lot of free time or opportunities to contact people repeatedly.

An uphill, exhausting battle

Regardless, this service dog would help me immensely, and despite a long stall in the process, I am determined to reach my fundraising goal. There are programs out there that offer free or cheaper service dogs, but SIT Service Dogs was undoubtedly the best decision for me despite the price tag. For anyone who is looking into a service dog, my advice would be to do extensive research and be confident in your decision. SIT's program was right for me, my symptoms, and my needs, but that differs from person to person. I'd also say to keep your head up, no matter what. Fundraising can be an uphill, exhausting battle. I always feel like I'm asking too much of people, and that I won't get out of this rut. I'm harder on myself than I should be, I think. I've kept up the GoFundMe and plan on posting the link to my family and friends soon, now that the holidays are over. Hopefully, soon I'll reach my goal, but until then I keep reminding myself of how it's all going to be worth it.

Stay confident

I think that is the main thing I would like people to take from this story. If you've made a decision for your life with MS and you're confident in it, then stay confident and secure. You made that choice for a reason, and perhaps no one but you understands it, but that's ok. MS is incredibly personal by nature, so what is right for you may not be right for your neighbor's, mother's, cousin's husband that you hear about constantly, and vice versa. If anyone else is going through this or anything similar, I stand (briefly, but then I'll sit) with you, and good luck!

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The MultipleSclerosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Donna Steigleder Moderator
Thank you for sharing this story. My husband is totally dependent and we have often thought about a service dog but the cost is so steep we have given up on the idea but I didn't consider fundraising. Good idea. I hope you are successful soon in reaching your goal. I know it would certainly be beneficial for Lynn and I'm sure it would be for you as well. Good luck.
debbie13 Member
MiaPetitti, My name is Debbie, and I have SPMS, and about two years ago I began discussing the possibility of getting service dog with my live-in boyfriend. At first she was adamant that I was not going to get a service dog, and that he felt I didn't need one. I let him think he had won the argument, but I began looking into service dog organization. The only ones I could find we're in the Midwest and on the east coast, and I live in Las Vegas Nevada. There was also the added burden, as you say, of the expense. I live on Social Security, and and I'm unable to work. There was no way I could afford one, but I kept looking into it, hoping there would be a way for me to work it out. I would also having seizures due to the MS, and have been in and out of the hospital for the last few years more times than I can count. About a year ago I finally put my foot down and told my boyfriend that I needed the dog, and he was going to have to figure out a way to live with that fact, so together we found ourselves searching high and low for a reputable organization to get a dog from. He found an organization here in Las Vegas that would send a trainer to my house and help me learn to train my own dog. I got Jack, a black Labrador Retriever puppy, on Mother's Day of 2018. He's 10 months old now and is learning to do everything he needs to do for me. When fully trained, he will be my seizure response, and Mobility is just dog. We are also training to be certified as a therapy dog team, so that we can visit disaster sites, children's hospitals, and nursing homes, as well as anyplace else that wants a therapy dog team to come in and visit their patients or clients. BMS is really kicking my butt, and I'm usually in bed about 18 hours a day, the Jack has made leaving the house much easier for me. Even though he's not fully trained yet, and I can't use him as a Mobility assist dog until his hips are fused, about 18 months old, he still helps me with the anxiety that I have about being out in public and being confronted by people who tell me I don't look sick. I also have anxiety attacks when I'm not feeling well, and I realized I'm by myself and have no one to help me. I always have Jack with me. I'm learning to find a place to sit down, and pet and talk to him until the feeling passes. I wish you all the best of luck in finding your new best friend, because I know from experience that the work you go through to find a dog and train one is the best experience you will ever have. Good luck my friend!