Service Dog For Valerie

My name is Valerie Wilson and I am 27 years old. I am the daughter of Ted and Janet Niehoff. In 2011 I got married to an active duty Marine and we are now stationed at Mcas Miramar in San Diego, CA. I am writing this letter in hopes that donations could be made in my honor to Valley Service Dogs for a PTSD and Mobility Service Dog for myself.

Valley Service Dogs is a registered 501c3 nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible. Their service dogs, which consist of standard poodles, labradoodles, and goldendoodles are highly trained service dogs that can help people with seizures, mobility issues and psychiatric issues. They are a small family operated organization and the cost of training and providing their service dogs is $14,000.

The reasons I need a service dog are because I have PTSD, also known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I myself have never been in the military as we all know this is a condition that is running rampant through our military. I was diagnosed with PTSD after having been sexually assaulted multiple times, being raped and stalked and being in a previous relationship that was emotionally and physically abusive. I have been on several different types of medications and none have seemed to work.

I had a service dog previously who gave me my life back and allowed me to go off medications and live a normal life. He was the greatest gift God could have ever given me. Sadly 3 years ago he passed away from canine cancer and now God has brought this organization into my life and opened my heart to trust and love a new service dog like I trusted and loved my first one.

The service dog would be a poodle or poodle mix because of my allergies and would help in alerting me to increased anxiety, reminding me to take medication, bracing for when I stumble because of back problems and balance problems and would provide deep pressure therapy to help calm me down. The dog would also be trained to search the house and to find my car if I am having a panic attack inside a store and need to escape.

Any help would be greatly appreciated even if its just prayers. I have the support of my family, my friends and my work. I currently work for The Family Christian Store out here in California.

More information can be found about Valley Service Dogs and donations can be made at www.valleyservicedogs.com.

Thank you so much for your support and generosity!

God bless you!

Valerie Wilson