Giving Amelia her world back with Sammy the Service Dog

$17,172 of $17,000 goal

Given by 199 generous donors in around 5 months

A complex neurological condition has changed 14-year-old Amelia's world since 2024. Service dog Sammy will give her some of her life back.

Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui

+7 images

Looking into your child’s eyes and not being recognised is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. Seeing fear in those same eyes is something that never leaves you.

This has been our reality with our daughter Amelia (14).

Before becoming unwell, Amelia was a happy, sporty, social teenager. Just before her 13th birthday, she collapsed during a game of netball. That was the start of a complex neurological condition that took away her memory, her independence, and her everyday life.

Amelia’s brain sends the wrong signals. She loses consciousness every few days and when she wakes, she is disoriented with profound memory loss. She doesn’t know who we are or where she is. She describes it as waking up in a world she doesn’t recognise, without knowing where she has come from.

At times she cannot speak and experiences a wide range of debilitating symptoms; including losing the ability to read and write, her limbs not responding, pain and fatigue.

Through extraordinary determination, Amelia has regained many skills. However her condition still has a significant impact on her independence and quality of life and she has a very long road ahead of her.

Amelia has now been matched with service dog, Sammy, through Pawsible Service Dogs.

Sammy will be trained to stay with Amelia when she loses consciousness, keep her calm when she's disoriented and alert for help. He will provide constant safety, recognition of her invisible disability, give her confidence and provide her with a link to the world.

Lizi Guest's involvement (page creator)

I am Amelia's mum, and funds raised will go into a bank account for Sammy's training through Pawsible Service Dogs and his long-term care costs.

Use of funds

All money raised will go to Pawsible Service Dogs for Sammy's specialised training, alongside money for his long-term care. We've been lucky to have Pawsible fund 50% of Sammy's training cost thanks to the support of their funders, we're raising the rest.

Other page links

pawsibledogs.co.nz

THANK YOU 30 May 2026

Honestly, we've been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support since the RNZ story went live. It's meant so much to hear from other people and whānau living with FND and to hear how much it meant for them to see their stories reflected on such a big scale.

In the last month, we've had some other incredible support. Amelia's friends from intermediate organised a fundraiser event at the movies and it was a sellout. 80 people turned up - two full cinemas, and it was very special to have Sammy there too to practice his first trip to the movies. When you are 14, 21 months is a long time - the fact that these kids (and their mums) still make an effort to keep in touch means so much, and it was such a special thing to be part of.

Secondly, The Middle Districts Lion Foundation granted $1000 to Pawsible Service Dogs in Amelia's name. This was so generous and we are hoping to attend a meeting soon to be able to thank them in person.

Thank you again for your kind messages and for your donations - we've had a really rough few weeks and it's really helped us to keep rolling.

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