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Fill Up My Heart Service Dog Fund
9 years ago
(♥ó㉨ò)ﾉ♡
☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ Update of previous journal: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/7460070/
My fundraiser meter may have $1,500, but the ultimate goal for my service dog is $7,700. It’s a rough estimate because I’m doing a combination of owner and private training because of Georgia law having SDiT access rights for trainers more so than for owner trainers. Basically it's that trainers (specifically those associated with schools) have access rights for dogs in training. Now can train on my own, but there are places that I'm going to need to take the puppy for access during training that might not be so chill about having it there as some of the places that are around where I live, though I do plan to ask everywhere that isn't Petco or Petsmart.
However, because my main goal right now is the money for the puppy the meter is reflecting that with a goal of $1,500. This may be less depending on the color, but I want to be on the safe side. I am raising money for a candidate for a mobility support service dog due to complications from anemia (having been anemic since childhood) and another disorder that went undiagnosed until I was well into adulthood . Both of these have left me with physical problems affecting my stamina and mobility and the service dog will aid in momentum pulling and counter balance.
I am selling art and opening up commissions for shirts digital prints and hand painted, pwyw commissions, character designs, and whatever else I can do to raise the money for this puppy. I prefer not to take donations. The breeder's litter is due in August/September. This is really important to me and after several years wondering if I should even try to get a dog, I’m finally going through with it. If you know any trainers in Georgia let me know. If anyone is a trainer (certified) and willing to work with me in exchange for art or a discount + art or something, let me know. I am looking for obedience trainers only and want someone to guide me and teach me what to do (or make sure that I’m on the right track) more than someone to take my dog and train it without me.
Looking specifically in the Fulton, Henry, Fayette area or thereabouts. Also willing to look at Cobb. Because I don't drive, I'm not able to go farther south than Peachtree City or farther north than Marietta. Someone who can come to me is a huge bonus.
My fundraiser meter may have $1,500, but the ultimate goal for my service dog is $7,700. It’s a rough estimate because I’m doing a combination of owner and private training because of Georgia law having SDiT access rights for trainers more so than for owner trainers. Basically it's that trainers (specifically those associated with schools) have access rights for dogs in training. Now can train on my own, but there are places that I'm going to need to take the puppy for access during training that might not be so chill about having it there as some of the places that are around where I live, though I do plan to ask everywhere that isn't Petco or Petsmart.
However, because my main goal right now is the money for the puppy the meter is reflecting that with a goal of $1,500. This may be less depending on the color, but I want to be on the safe side. I am raising money for a candidate for a mobility support service dog due to complications from anemia (having been anemic since childhood) and another disorder that went undiagnosed until I was well into adulthood . Both of these have left me with physical problems affecting my stamina and mobility and the service dog will aid in momentum pulling and counter balance.
I am selling art and opening up commissions for shirts digital prints and hand painted, pwyw commissions, character designs, and whatever else I can do to raise the money for this puppy. I prefer not to take donations. The breeder's litter is due in August/September. This is really important to me and after several years wondering if I should even try to get a dog, I’m finally going through with it. If you know any trainers in Georgia let me know. If anyone is a trainer (certified) and willing to work with me in exchange for art or a discount + art or something, let me know. I am looking for obedience trainers only and want someone to guide me and teach me what to do (or make sure that I’m on the right track) more than someone to take my dog and train it without me.
Looking specifically in the Fulton, Henry, Fayette area or thereabouts. Also willing to look at Cobb. Because I don't drive, I'm not able to go farther south than Peachtree City or farther north than Marietta. Someone who can come to me is a huge bonus.
I'm not exactly sure how to respond though. I know that artists can and do make that and more in a year; though for me personally with the amount of views and commissions that I do get it is a pretty fantastic goal. However at this point all I can do is try as well as advertise. I'll be happy if I can get the initial $1,500 which kind of segues into your question.
I do have another job, but I'm unemployed till August. It's a part time on call sort of thing but was the only thing I could get that I can do and the days are flexible based on my availability/health. I recently applied for full time (albeit a temporary position) there so I'm just waiting to hear back from them. I'd be using part of that to pay for things, But put my goal out there anyway. The $1,500 is my main goal because that's what I'd need first including the deposit. With all of that being said, art is my second/summer job.
Question: are you intent upon getting a puppy? Especially for mobility work, it's considered a bad idea to start any kind of training for that until they are nearly two years old. That's a long time to wait before even being able to begin that stage of training, to potentially find out that this candidate might not work out for you. Have you considered looking into getting a dog that is already a year or two old? It saves a lot of time and the potential worry of a pup physically not growing up to be fit for the job, as you can do the testing at that time and be sure that those numbers aren't going to shift like they could with a pup. Also, much quicker turn around time to actually being able to use that animal as an SD as there's less down time working through training.
I will admit that a puppy wasn't my first choice, but things have kind of worked out that way. A lot of places I've looked into either don't train danes for service dog work (the one that does is in Ipswich, Massachusetts and only assists locals), would take even longer than owner training due to wait lists, or don't train for my...unique situation. I also don't have a medical paper trail because of things having gone without a diagnosis for so long. But that's another story.
Where I am the two major service dog organizations are for people who are obviously disabled from looking at their pages. GA Canines for Independence and Canine Assistants, so even if I had applied way back when I first started my research I likely would have not been approved. Another organization Animals Deserve Better, has a dog that fits the bill according to their site anyway, but have such stringent and invasive requirements that it's not feasible. I don't live on my own at the moment and my mom doesn't like the idea of having to film her house, yard, and family (not that I would either). This organization is also the only one that I've seen requesting a social security and driver's license number.
I have also been looking at adult dogs through shelters and rescues those are just as prohibitive as the ADB requirements which is frustrating. So while it does mean a bit of a longer wait which sucks; I will at least know what I'm starting with. And what you brought up has crossed my mind more than a few times. I just spent quite a long time wondering if I should or shouldn't and trying to get my family on board with the idea since another dog would affect them (my mom already has one which seems to be a no no for some organizations) and the sheer size of the dog was something we needed to talk about. I do thank you for reading my journal and giving me something else to consider. The wait for mobility work is the most daunting part about getting a puppy, but that's just where I am right now as far as options go unfortunately. The plus side is lots of bonding in the mean time and I'll be hoping and praying that my puppy works out.