Hi, my name is Brooke, and I’m raising $5,000 to help train my psychiatric service dog, a life-changing companion who is already helping me reclaim my life.
A few years ago, I was a Division I athlete at Ole Miss, competing on the track team as a hammer thrower. From the outside, it looked like I was living a dream. But on the inside, I was struggling deeply. I was in therapy almost every day, taking multiple antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications just to survive and stay in my sport. I felt like no matter how hard I worked, it would never be enough and that mindset took a huge toll on my mental health.
Eventually, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life: I stepped away from the sport I had given everything to. I hoped this would bring relief, but instead, I was left feeling lost, directionless, and more anxious and depressed than ever. I didn’t know who I was without track, and everyday tasks like getting out of bed, eating, or showering became monumental struggles.
Now, I’m in a better place, but I still deal with lasting effects from that dark period. That’s why I’m training my dog to become my psychiatric service animal. He helps ground me when I’m overwhelmed, and with professional training, he’ll be able to recognize and interrupt anxiety attacks and depressive spirals before they take over. He’s already my soul dog, rescued from a shelter and about to turn two, and we have an incredibly deep bond. He’s eager to work and help me thrive, and I want to give him the training he needs to do that.
I’m also doing everything I can to make this happen. I’m a full-time student studying to become a sports psychologist, while also advocating for rural youth leadership through Farmers Union in Washington, D.C. I’m balancing school, advocacy, and healing but as you can imagine, time and energy are limited, and it will take me a very long time to save what I need.
That’s why I’m asking for your help. The $5,000 I’m trying to raise will go directly toward my dog’s professional psychiatric service training. Every dollar brings us closer to building a life where I can live with more stability, confidence, and independence.
If you can donate thank you. If you can’t, sharing this campaign means the world. I’ve come so far, and with your support, I know I can keep going.
Thank you for reading and being a part of this journey.
