A St. Pete mom of three is in desperate need of a service dog.
Shari Turrell said she suffers from severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and seizures stemming from growing up in an abusive home.
Turrell said she tried to kill herself when she was a teenager.
"My stepdad pulled out his Glock 9mm, put two bullets in it, loaded the gun, handed it to me and told me just do everybody a favor,” Turrell said.
Turrell’s PTSD got worse after her brother, who she called her protector, passed away. She also lost her husband in 2007 and suffered physical and neurological damage after a bad fall.
"I have social phobia,” Turrell said. “I am afraid to make any bonds with people because I am afraid of loss."
Turrell’s anxiety has gotten so bad she rarely leaves her home. Her three children, ages 11 to 16, often stay with her.
"We are constantly worried about her,” Turrell’s oldest daughter, Mika Thompson, said. “With what’s going on with her seizures it’s really unpredictable and we don’t know when the next one will be."
The family said they hope a service dog will help.
Turrell’s first service dog, Nezme, passed away in 2013. She said she misses the security and comfort the dog brought her and her family.
Turrell’s 13-year-old son posted his mom’s story online. It captured the heart of Lisa Hancock with Healing Souls Service Dogs in Missouri.
Hancock said she knew one of her dogs, named Liberty, could help.
"Liberty is just a clown and a joy to be around and that’s why I think she will fit in perfect with Shari’s family and bring a smile to her face every day,” Hancock said.
Turrell now needs to make multiple trips to Missouri to finish Liberty’s training, but she can’t afford it.
Her son has once again turned to the Internet, setting up a GoFundMe account to raise money.
"This would give me my life back, give me my strength back,” Turrell said. “It would give me my freedom back."