A Loxahatchee woman is recovering from traumatic injuries suffered in a violent crash in Palm Beach Gardens.But her injuries aren’t what’s most concerning for 24-year-old Tori Berardesco.It’s who she lost in the crash.“She was my everything,” Berardesco said.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25 She was talking about her dog, Koa.“She went everywhere with me,” she said.Berardesco adopted Koa from an animal shelter as a puppy seven years ago.Since then, everywhere Berardesco went, Koa was there.That’s because Koa was not just Berardesco’s pet and best friend, she was also a vital part of Berardesco’s life as she copes with PTSD.“If I was feeling anxious or was having an attack coming on, she would interrupt,” Beradesco said, explaining how Koa would lean against her to ground her.On Sept. 5, Berardesco was a passenger in a car driving north on Military Trail.Koa was in the car, too, strapped into her harness in the backseat. Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News“She was always wanting to come,” Berardesco said. “She was always excited to get into the car and go places.”As the driver attempted to make a left turn onto Gardenia Drive, they collided with another vehicle.Koa was killed.Berardesco suffered traumatic injuries across her body, including to her brain, spine, and heart.She was unconscious for nearly a week and is currently confined to a wheelchair.Her recovery will be long and arduous, and it’s unclear when she’ll be able to return to work.On top of her physical injuries, she needs a service dog.Berardesco knows nothing can ever replace Koa, but she still needs help.Around the country: National coverage from WPBF 25 News“She would help me on a daily basis with things, especially out in public or big crowds,” Berardesco said. A friend has set up a GoFundMe account to help Berardesco pay for the new service dog and for her mounting medical expenses.
A Loxahatchee woman is recovering from traumatic injuries suffered in a violent crash in Palm Beach Gardens.
But her injuries aren’t what’s most concerning for 24-year-old Tori Berardesco.
It’s who she lost in the crash.
“She was my everything,” Berardesco said.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
She was talking about her dog, Koa.
“She went everywhere with me,” she said.
Berardesco adopted Koa from an animal shelter as a puppy seven years ago.
Since then, everywhere Berardesco went, Koa was there.
That’s because Koa was not just Berardesco’s pet and best friend, she was also a vital part of Berardesco’s life as she copes with PTSD.
“If I was feeling anxious or was having an attack coming on, she would interrupt,” Beradesco said, explaining how Koa would lean against her to ground her.
On Sept. 5, Berardesco was a passenger in a car driving north on Military Trail.
Koa was in the car, too, strapped into her harness in the backseat.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
“She was always wanting to come,” Berardesco said. “She was always excited to get into the car and go places.”
As the driver attempted to make a left turn onto Gardenia Drive, they collided with another vehicle.
Koa was killed.
Berardesco suffered traumatic injuries across her body, including to her brain, spine, and heart.
She was unconscious for nearly a week and is currently confined to a wheelchair.
Her recovery will be long and arduous, and it’s unclear when she’ll be able to return to work.
On top of her physical injuries, she needs a service dog.
Berardesco knows nothing can ever replace Koa, but she still needs help.
Around the country: National coverage from WPBF 25 News
“She would help me on a daily basis with things, especially out in public or big crowds,” Berardesco said.
A friend has set up a GoFundMe account to help Berardesco pay for the new service dog and for her mounting medical expenses.
