Archives: Donation Forms

Hi, I’m Lily and I live in North Florida. I’m an active 13-year-old who has Type 1 Diabetes. I go to school, I play soccer, I hang out with my friends on the weekends, and I do normal things that a teenager does but having diabetes has an impact on my daily life all the time. I was diagnosed with diabetes when I was 10 years old. Since I’ve been diagnosed I haven’t had a sleepover unless it's at my own home. I don’t wake up at night to my low alarms and I drop low super-fast most of the time I don’t realize it until it's too late and I can't communicate with other people that I’m low and I can't get my juice or candy. When I drop super low, I get spacey and unaware of things going on around me, I can’t communicate with the people around me, and I just sit there shaky and feeling bad. Some days I go low multiple times, and I’m not able to do my soccer practices or other activities. A diabetic alert dog would be extremely helpful and important to me because it can alert me when I’m starting to go low, I can feel comfortable sleeping over at friends’ houses, and it can alert me throughout the night when I don’t hear my alarms. The dog would be able to come with me to school and alert me when I don’t realize I’m going low. Having a diabetic-alert dog will help me so much throughout my life, and I can't wait to get my new best friend! Any donation towards my goal would be very appreciated and needed. Thank you!

My name is Carly and I am 22 years old. I have lived in Southwest Florida my entire life, aside from four years spent in Tallahassee to earn my Bachelors from Florida State University (go Noles!). I hope to build a career as a performing cellist, teaching artist, and advocate but need your help to continue to pursue my dreams and have an impact through music and in the lives of people with disabilities.

I was born with Autism Spectrum Disorder and will have it for the rest of my life. I have had too many close calls stepping in front of cars. Friends and family have had to stop me or pull me out of the way. I fully understand the inherent risk of crossing a street, but because of the way my brain processes information, I often do not notice I am approaching a dangerous situation. My dog will be trained to alert me to sounds like fire alarms and to stop at curbs and street crossings so I can respond accordingly and make safe decisions. I have approached several other service dog training organizations that turned me away because I am an autistic adult. Topaz, on the other hand, has been welcoming and understanding at every stage of the process. I will be proud to represent them as their first adult recipient of an autism assistance dog.

Topaz goes above and beyond in their willingness to serve disabled people with complex needs, and I am no exception. In 2021, I was in a hit-and-run accident and suffered a brain injury. Because the other driver fled the scene, I have no recourse for what happened to me. As a result of this injury, my body fails to pump blood to my brain fast enough upon standing. This results in heart palpitations, dizziness, balance issues, blurred or blacked-out vision, and even loss of consciousness. I will not be able to continue to perform on stage, or perform many tasks of daily living if my condition worsens. I am pursuing treatment where it can help, and where it cannot, my dog will be trained to step in.

Many thanks for any contributions towards this goal. This would not be possible without your support!

Hello!

My name is Shelley. I’m sixty years old and live in Dallas County. Singing in the church choir, volunteering, and spending time with my family are my favorite things. Unfortunately, my health has inhibited me from experiencing the parts of life that are most important to me.

In 2014, I experienced a stroke that left me with numbness and severe balance issues. I have diabetes induced neuropathy and PTSD induced anxiety attacks which lead me to avoid large public places. I also harbor a fear of being alone when experiencing an attack. Before Piper, my current Topaz Assistance Dog, I couldn’t walk or climb stairs without help; I had difficulty picking up items from the floor; I couldn’t do the laundry and I was in constant pain due to neuropathy. I became a hermit and ached for the things I was once able to do - I stopped living. Piper gave me the courage to live.

There are no words I can use to describe how significantly Piper changed my life. In addition to helping me with mobility needs, she has given me the confidence to go for walks, visit my Granddaughter, join the church choir again, and do the laundry without toppling in head first!

We are in great need of a successor. Piper has served me well in her assisting career and it’s her time to kick back, relax, and soak up all the petting she can handle.

My name is John-John I'm 12 and I live in South Florida. I love to throw balls at dogs. I love to swim and snuggle. And I love family, especially my brother and sister.

I was born with a rare special disease, only 400 cases were reported back then. It's a chromosome disorder known as terminal deletion 2Q37 which causes Autism, seizures, and a lot of physical and cognitive disabilities. I don't speak and I can barely hear. If I'm in pain you'll never know it because I smile all the time and have a high pain tolerance.

I feel a service dog will be my best friend because dogs can feel things that humans can't. I will also be able to throw a ball with a dog and they can bring it back to me.

Thank you for reading about me.