Ziulianis Martinez-Vega, known as Zuzu, and her family are attempting to raise $7,000 to fund training for a service dog. Pictured are Zuzu and the goldendoodle dog named Hope. Submitted photo

Ziulianis Martinez-Vega, or Zuzu, has received a service dog, one that she now considers her bestfriend.

The dog gives her comfort and helps ease her autism, tremors, night terrors and anxiety — all conditions she was diagnosed with at the age of 3. Fittingly, the goldendoodle’s name is Hope, much like the hope now given to Zuzu.

The family has only had the service dog since October, but the mother believes they have “already seen results and progress” from her 7-year-old.

“Just knowing the presence of a buddy being there all the time is helping her,” said Angeliz Martinez-Vega, Zuzu’s mother.

However, in order to keep the service dog in training, the Martinez-Vega family has to raise enough money before May. According to Angeliz Martinez-Vega, removing the service dog from the home now would be devastating.

“We’ve talked about what would happen and she starts crying. She said, ‘You can’t take my bestfriend,'” Angeliz said, adding the Zuzu is the dog’s bestfriend as well.

The “Benefit for Zuzu’s Hope,” a spaghetti dinner to assist the family for medical expenses and the cost to train Hope, is being held Jan. 25 with help from the local Brothers By Choice organization.

Training for the service dog is provided by New Hope Assistance Dogs, Inc, comprised of certified trainers, service dog technicians, junior trainers, puppy raisers and volunteers. According to the company’s website, its goal is to provide the recipient with an assistance dog comprised of the high standards that will provide the recipient with more freedom and greater independence in life, to provide stability for those suffering from balance issues, and to provide both children and adults with assistance dogs to help in both mental and physical disabilities.

Tammy Rogers, New Hope Assistance Dogs president, said the organization typically has 20 to 40 dogs in training at a given time. She said service dogs, or assistance dogs, can be trained to focus on the specific needs of a client such as autism, post-traumatic stress disorder and seizures. The dogs also receive basic obedience and service-dog training.

“The dog generally has the ability to pick up on these things but we’re teaching the dog what to do when it’s happening,” Rogers said.

Thus far the family has raised $1,000, and hopes to raise another $2,000 with the spaghetti dinner.

The family has until May because Zuzu’s father, Luis Martinez, who is enlisted in the Army National Guard, is being stationed in Georgia. Training for Hope has been expedited to meet the deadline. However, if the lump sum is not raised by that time, Hope goes back to the company.

Angeliz and her daughter meet with New Hope Assistance each week to train the dog as well as conducting home training sessions. For example, the company has been teaching the dog to remain calm in public settings like at a grocery store. An emphasis is placed on restraining the dog from reacting to frequent activity and rather focusing on Zuzu.

“She has to learn not to follow people and stay within reach,” Angeliz said.

Angeliz said the family tried various methods to help her daughter but noted that the presence of the service dog in training is really the only option that has show immediate results.

Zuzu, throughout her life, has had frequent tests done at Robert Warner Rehabilitation Center at Oshei Children’s Hospital in Buffalo. When methods to ease her conditions were no longer working, it was suggested that the family take Zuzu to a research facility in Cleveland. However, at the same time, a health insurance care provider suggested the family look into service dogs, specifically through New Hope Assistance Dogs.

Angeliz believes the dog, yet to be fully trained, is having a positive impact already after just two months.

Zuzu’s tremors and anxiety often cause her to swing her arms frequently. But with Hope, her arms are occupied and she’s calmer, reducing the swinging activity, Angeliz said. Also, the night terrors Zuzu experiences are less frequent since bringing home Hope. Rogers added that the assistance dog will also help reduce anxiety in public settings, too.

The family already hosted a Chinese auction that helped raise funding for Hope. The family also has a GoFundMe page, “Zuzu’s Service Dog Needs,” which is currently at $65.

Angeliz hopes the service dog can provide long-term assistance for her daughter, and added that the family previously had “run out of options.”

“There’s really nothing,” she said of other alternatives.