A Service Dog for Elizabeth
Note: I may earn money or products from the companies, products, or links mentioned in this post.
As some of you may remember, several months ago my daughter, Elizabeth, was diagnosed with several rare genetic disorders including Ehlers-Danlos Type 3, Dysautonomia – POTS, and a Mast Cell Disorder. After three years of searching for an overall diagnosis for Elizabeth and finding it, we realized that a service dog would be life-changing and potentially life-saving for her. On average, it costs over $34,000 to train a service dog, and we need to raise $17,000 to help our 4 Paws for Ability with the cost.
Elizabeth is a very sweet and loving three-year-old who loves to sing, play with her older brother, and dress up as her favorite Disney princesses! She has been through a lot in her short three years. She has had over 10 hospitalizations, multiple surgeries, numerous procedures, and has seen doctors all over the country.
On top of her three very rare disorders, Elizabeth also has many other sub-diagnoses some of which include Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, requires braces around her ankles for stability, is dependent on a Gastrostomy and Jejunal feeding tube, and requires oxygen while sleeping for Central Apnea and Periodic Breathing Disorder.
A Multipurpose Assistance Dog would help Elizabeth in three areas:
- Behavior Disruption (Lap, Nuzzle, Deep Pressure, and Kisses) for anxiety during hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and other times, and to calm during times of meltdowns and sensory overload.
- Bark Alert to alert to potential needs and/or medical problems.
- Balance and Stability to help with her hypermobile joints by providing counter resistance for her unsteadiness and to prevent falls.
Will you help us invest in Elizabeth’s future? Having a service dog today will completely change her quality of life tomorrow! If you can help us, please visit our fundraising page on FirstGiving.com where all funds will go directly to 4 Paws for Ability OR you can go directly to www.4pawsforability.org/donate-now. Include Elizabeth Sneed’s name in the “Instructions to Merchant” if paying through PayPal.
You can also mail a check with Elizabeth’s name on the memo line as well. The address is as following:
4 Paws for Ability
In Honor of Elizabeth Sneed
253 Dayton Ave.
Xenia, Ohio 45385
Thank you so much for your time in reading this and your consideration of Elizabeth’s needs. Follow along with Elizabeth’s story on Facebook at Raising Elizabeth!
Have you contacted Angel Dogs in Denver, Colorado. I know a family who started this org. The husbands name is Brett Mars. They have a daughter who required a service dog, which is why he and his wife started the organization.
I will look into it, thanks!