Shannon is 26 years old and lives in South Carolina. She is diagnosed with GAD, OCD, PTSD, Depression, and Anorexia Nervosa. She has been in consistent treatment since 2015. Her mantra became “I can’t be hurt if there is less of me to hurt”. She restricted food as a way to cope, which led to her treatment for Anorexia Nervosa. She completed a residential program as well as a few outpatient programs. She is now considered a recovering anorexic but still battles the PTSD, OCD and GAD on a daily basis. The many diagnoses are a result of being traumatized in different ways. They are how her brain copes with the past and with daily life. While she has improved over the last two years, she still distances herself from her family and friends, and wants desperately to lead a normal life.
In July 2017 Shannon met HOLLIS! HOLLIS is a beautiful female golden retriever and will help Shannon in a variety of ways, such as anchoring when she is anxious, behavior interruption and cuddle/visit during her doctor’s appointments to help ease the pain she often feels during her appointments, and waking her from nightmares.
