Help Nicole raise money

When I lost my hearing I became withdrawn, anxious, and not myself. I was afraid to go on runs alone, worried that someone would sneak up behind me. At the grocery store, I was on high alert trying to pay attention to my surroundings, hoping I wasn’t blocking someone’s way. At home, I burned food when I missed the oven timer; I had so many sleepless nights, anxious about missing my morning alarm. 

I applied for a service dog through Dogs for Better Lives and prepared for the estimated 2-year wait. I couldn’t believe it when I got the email just 6 months later that they had a dog for me, a sweet black lab. I literally pinched myself!

Since being matched with Freya, everything has changed. I laugh at her antics daily, and she provides immeasurable safety. I am confident on runs, we love wandering stores on rainy days, my cooking is less crispy, and I sleep soundly through the night, confident that she will alert me to any important sounds. When people meet me, the first thing they ask about isn’t my hearing loss but instead about my beautiful companion. Freya fills my life with joy and makes me a more confident person.

I want to ensure that everyone who needs a hearing service dog has access. Dogs for Better Lives trained and placed Freya with me 100% through donations and volunteer hours. I’ll be running the Falmouth Road Race to fundraise for this incredible organization. Please consider donating to help more people like me get the service dogs they need.