Summiting4Dogs

The story:

In April 2021, I was diagnosed with a Cardiac condition. I underwent many tests at the Cardiologist; whilst these tests and monitoring were being conducted, we noticed a pattern in Roger (my adopted rescue Dog from Humane Society) unusual behavior around me before negative results were recorded. On further examinations, it became apparent that Roger was detecting using his powerful nose the early signs of my heart being stressed and subsequent blood pressure rising rapidly.

With the help of Humane Society, and a Tactical K9 trainer and K9 assessor on island, we began an extensive training regime and eventual examination of Rogers abilities. As a result of his intuition and obedience, Roger, my rescue, is now a fully licensed and registered Service Dog in the United States, UK and European Union. He has flown on many airlines in the cabin with myself, including British Airways, American Airlines and Cayman Airways.

Roger is task trained and can alert me to my heart condition worsening at the early signs that are not detectable to myself or other humans. His exceptional sense of smell detects the blood level changing and he alerts me by being drawn to my pituitary glands by the smell. These advance warnings allow me to immediately take medicine and lie flat until the heart returns to a normal rhythm and blood pressure reduces. This avoids unnecessary stress on the heart which normally results in a hospitalization if not detected early. Since having Roger as my service animal my heart wall has thinned by 1.5mm as a result of less stress being placed on it due to the advance warnings. This has avoided the need for a pacemaker implant.

Roger was born on the streets and initially faced euthanasia until the Humane Society took him in from the government facility. I have found in Roger unconditional loyalty, companionship and love. There are many other dogs that can give this to anyone who adopts them. Sadly, most people buy from a breeder. This campaign is to change people’s views on shelter dogs. I will be uploading videos of me training for the expedition which will feature my shelter dogs and how they support me also footage of Roger on the ascent and at the summit

The main purpose of this expedition is to raise money for Humane Society and to raise awareness of the need to adopt dogs in urgent need of a home as opposed to buying from a breeder.

Roger acting as an ambassador to shelter dogs, will hopefully show people that shelter dogs can achieve anything and even reach the heights of a mountain summit and becoming a service animal that typically is for pure breads and at a cost between $10,000-$60,000 usd!

Therefore to raise awareness and money for Dog Shelters I, accompanied the entire journey by Roger, am going to attempt to summit from sea level in the Cayman Islands multiple 10,000 -14,000 feet mountains in 2023. Then in 2024 attempting 20,000ft plus! #summiting4dogs

My passion to help shelter dogs is driving me to ascend from the sea level of Cayman Islands to many of the highest peaks in the World to increase public knowledge of shelter dogs in need of a home.

Roger has specialized equipment to protect him that includes:

• A total body insulated snow suit that will keep him warm in temperatures as low as -30c
• UV Snow Googles to protect his eyes against wind and sun glare
• Extreme weather gripped boots to protect his paws
• 900kg tested climbing safety harness which he will be roped to me the entire time, in case of crevasses and used when ice and rock climbing.

Summits on the list:

2023:

Confirmed: May 8-11th 2023 Mount Baker, Washington State, USA

Then onto more summits in 2023 each increasing in height each time:

Including South and Central America , Mont Blanc and eventually when enough experience is gained start on the coveted 7 summits finishing with Mount Everest!

2024:

Commencement of the seven summits!

#humanesociety