Service Dog Helps Foxborough Resident Through Life

From Partners In Patriotism: Foxborough resident Emma Carroll, 25, has been battling anxiety and depression for as long as she can remember, but wasn’t diagnosed with a disorder until 2010, when she was a freshman in college.

“I was put on countless amounts of medications to try to manage the symptoms,” Carroll said. “At first, the medications would seem like they were working, but eventually they all would stop.”

Since then, Carroll has seen multiple doctors and has been diagnosed with anxiety, social anxiety, depression, an eating disorder, panic attacks, PTSD and Bipolar II Disorder. It was the bipolar disorder that proved to be the most dangerous.

“My Bipolar II Disorder includes depressive episodes and hypomania, which basically means I feel on top of the world and like I can accomplish anything,” Carroll said. “Sometimes the depression and hypomania come in what’s called a mixed episode (both happen at once). It was during one of these mixed episodes that I attempted suicide.”

Carroll says she is thankful to be alive today, but the traumatic incident is something she carries with her every day.

“Every day is a new struggle for me,” she said. “There are some days that I can’t even force myself to get out of bed, shower or eat. Over the past few years, these disorders have gotten significantly worse to the point where I don’t follow through with plans; I barely see my friends and I don’t spend time with my family.”

These disorders have also inhibited Carroll’s ability to go to work or attend school.

“Since I was 16, I have always had a job,” Carroll said. “But after an injury in 2016, I couldn’t return to work and because of these illnesses, I haven’t been able to look for work. I have also had to take a leave of absence from school.”

Carroll has tried countless combinations of medications prescribed by her doctor, but hasn’t found any viable solutions.

“I don’t want to have to rely on medications to live a normal life,” she said. “The bottom line is I need my life back.”

To overcome her struggles, Carroll has turned to Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that trains and pairs highly-trained service dogs with people living with disabilities as a means to facilitate confident and independent lifestyles. The Partners in Patriotism Fund recently supported Carroll’s dream of receiving a service dog to help her overcome her anxiety disorders by donating $2,500 in Carroll’s name to GOFI.

“I have been lucky enough to be matched with Aurora, a calm and loving dog who has already made a huge difference in my life,” Carroll said. “She has given me the strength and independence I have been so desperately in search of.”

A GoFundMe page has been started to help Carroll raise the $35,000 needed to pay for the extensive training of Aurora through GOFI. Donations can be made to support Carroll by visiting here.

Image via Partners In Patriotism