Allan's Service Dog Journey Day 2

Over this past weekend, I decided that I needed to set up various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumbler and go fund me.  Many of you who don't know me are probably asking yourself as to why set up so many social media accounts. I initially had to ask that question to myself as well. However, after much reflection and a strong financial need as to acquire a service dog. I decided to reach out to as many social media resources as possible with hopes that I might be able to reach a fund raising goal total of five thousand dollars. Keep in mind this is a task that I should have performed many months ago.  However, at the time, I didn't think I was going to be in such a financial need at  as I had tried two attempts at working two part time jobs.  However, those part time positions were short lived, especially the last part time position (which only lasted 3 days). More importantly this was a very difficult decision to make as I was never brought up to ask friends or friends of friends for money and even at this moment as I draft this blog post, part of me feels somewhat embarrassed for even asking or reaching out to friends and friends of friends for financial help and assistance.

It was very difficult decision for me to share with friends and others out over the internet a summary of my private life/current medical scenario. However maybe this is God's way of guiding me as to yet another turn of  a chapter/page in my life (for the better) ? as I have had to deal with so many unexpected/unplanned life's obstacles. Despite the fact I have tried  so very hard, its been a very difficult journey trying to move onward in life.  I call the 1-800 prayer line every day and sometimes more then once a day and I try to maintain my current medical scenario with frequent appointments to the various clinicians I see on a weekly and or monthly basis. (Sometimes I get tired booking all of these appointments).  However, I know I need to maintain some quality of health and life. If I didn't frequent the clinicians I currently see, I would probably would have been placed in a skilled facility a long time ago.

A little over four years ago I was initially interviewed by a service dog organization located in central PA. At the time of initial interview, I was asked if I had the full twenty five thousand dollars in  order to pay for a service dog and I told them no that I didn't have that kind of money as my only source of income is Social Security Disability. Moreover, if I had the full twenty five thousand in cash. I would have been placed on top of the wait list ( for which isn't fair as far as I am concerned, as I know there are others other there with greater needs and requirements then I do).  However, with some service dog organizations, if you got the cash, your ahead of the line.  Fortunately, the service dog organization I initially interviewed with offered a scholarship program for those who meet certain income guidelines. However that scholarship does not fully cover the cost of acquisition costs for a service dog.  Nor does the scholarship funding cover travel related expenses for two and one half weeks worth of team training. If nothing else, I guess I am thankful and blessed to have been selected as a candidate from this service dog organization.  As I had applied to a couple of other service dog organizations and was told, I was not disabled enough to qualify for their programs.   Keep in mind both of the service dog programs that had turned me down offered service dogs free of charge. However, the service dog partner/client still is responsible for travel related expenses.  In summary from the research I have conducted, each service dog program runs and operate/differently and has their own set of criteria.

In summary for today's blog post:  I know by having a service dog, I will have the opportunity to lead a more independent, prosperous and fulfilling life. (thank you for reading)