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My name is Natasha but my friends and family call me Tasha. I am 32 years old and currently working full time in healthcare. I've always wanted to help people and have made it my career doing just that.

I have been battling with my mental health for as long as I can remember. It was evident from a young age that I was different. My first diagnosis was ADHD at age 6. But this diagnosis alone did not explain all of the behaviours my parents were witnessing and they continued to search for answers.

Shortly before my 12th birthday I was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (now called Autism Spectrum Disorder). The diagnosis fit perfectly and helped myself and my family navigate the world through a new lense. One that would promote success.

Although with this label came negative experiences. Despite having answers my peers didn't understand. And middle school became my own personal hell. I was teased relentlessly for being different and a teacher's pet. I began pulling away from those I loved and losing interest in the things I once gathered great joy from. At the age of 13 I was diagnosed with Clinical Depression (now Major Depressive Disorder).

Once middle school was behind me and I began high school I came more into my own. The high school I went to was full of creative minds and I was able to be myself and make friends. By tenth grade however, a new problem was starting to emerge; Anxiety. The pressure I was putting on myself was unnaturally high and I began to crumble. Soon I developed panic attacks and by age 15 I added another diagnosis to my list. Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

I finished high school and stumbled my way through university. I also attended college and began working in my profession. Eventually transitioning into working in the hospital setting. Through it all, my mental health was up and down. Certain aspects of my different disabilities would be harder at one time or another and I would have to work through them.

After years of medication and therapy, I wanted to try and take more control of my mental health struggles and participated in an outpatient mental health program. During those 8 weeks I was diagnosed with PTSD. I had been suffering for years but it was only when I made myself completely vulnerable was it evident that I was hurting. The trauma of being relentlessly bullied had permanently left a psychiatric scar so deep that I was still fighting these demons 18 years after the trauma occurred.

I learned about psychiatric service dogs from one of my closest friends and decided to do my own research. Very quickly I was of the belief that a service dog would be a huge help in my daily routine. A K4Paws service dog will allow me to participate in my community and hobbies. It will help me maintain structure and provide emotional support and stability.

I am beyond grateful to Kingston 4 Paws for also seeing the potential a service dog would have in my life. A permanent buddy who is there to help me manage my emotions is a dream come true.

Kingston 4 Paws is a non-profit full of dedicated staff and volunteers. Training these life-altering canine companions is expensive and impossible without donations. Please help me achieve my goal of $25000 so that I can gain more independence and stability.

Thank you,

Tasha

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