MEGAN TAKEDA and ALLISON MILLAR –
CV Student Media –
When Victoria Bruch was eight and dealing with abuse, she didn’t fully understand what was happening to her.
Bruch is now 18 years old and recently graduated from Plum Creek Academy in May.
So far, she has endured futile therapy, four hospitalizations since 2012, many medications that negatively affect her functionality, and much more. Through all this, she continued school, spending her first three years of high school at Castle View before transferring to Plum Creek for her senior year.
Now, her past deeply affects the way she lives her life. “It is like a wound that won’t heal,” said Bruch. “It’s embarrassing and defining.”
She faces difficulties in forming relationships, finds physical contact terrifying, and experiences strong panic attacks on a day-to-day basis.
“I feel like I’m not exactly a person anymore, but a ‘case’ or a victim or a statistic,” she said. “It has taught me to live as someone who doesn’t value themselves because they feel they don’t deserve to.”
Bruch has reached out for help by starting a GoFundMe page in hopes of raising enough to purchase a psychiatric service dog, which could change her life.
“I’ve grown up around dogs all my life. The emotional support they offer is never-ending and unconditional,” she said.
In addition to the stability that a dog offers, Bruch said it can recognize “changes in heart rate, thought pattern, and tune into its owner’s mood to help deter an episode.
To Bruch, having a dog with all of those qualities by her side is a very exciting prospect.
“It’s all about progress. And to me, progress can be made by stepping forwards and backwards,” she said. “It’s a mix of learning from mistakes and exposing yourself to your fears.”
Once she reaches her goal of $600, Bruch knows exactly what she’ll be doing.
“Right away, I’ll be going to the Dumb Friends League to find the right dog. Or I should say, the dog will find me,” she said. Bruch will then find a trainer to “train the dog in obedience and with assistance.”
A service dog will also allow her to better enjoy life and open up opportunities. She plans to travel Colorado, spend time with friends and family, and eventually start working toward her dream of studying anthropology and criminal profiling.
One of Bruch’s past teachers from CV, Mr. Martin, has kept in contact with her since she left Castle View.
“I applaud Victoria for knowing what she needs and working to get it. It takes a strong person to admit when they need help and to make an effort to get it,” said Martin. “She’s an inspiring person.”
If you’d like to help Victoria (a previous Sabercat) in her search for a psychiatric service dog, you can find more information and donate using the following link.