Marshmallow, the 7-month-old Labrador retriever training to become a latex-detection service dog for New Ulm ninth-grader Evelyn Nosbush, smells the water at Creating New Tails in Florida. (Photo by Jillian Skalky) 

NEW ULM — A Music & Makers market at Lykke Books on Saturday included a fundraiser for a latex-detection service dog needed by a local teenager with a life-threatening allergy.

The market, which occurs every one or two months, gives regional vendors commercial space and offers interactive services such as 10-minute sessions from Mankato-based Cambium Therapeutics.

Music by Danielle Deopere of More Than Music opened the schedule, followed by the duo Brady & Eavan. Deopere and her daughter, 14-year-old Evelyn Nosbush, ran a booth to support training for Marshmallow, a seven-month-old Labrador retriever.

Marshmallow is in training at Creating New Tails in Florida. The facility uses protocols similar to explosive detection to train dogs to identify trace latex scents.

Deopere and Nosbush have severe latex allergies that can cause anaphylaxis from airborne particles in items such as balloons and rubber bands.

“The balloons, the powder, gets in the air and then cause anaphylaxis,” Deopere said.

Deopere said public spaces remain a challenge even though Evelyn attends New Ulm Public Schools.

“The dog will really bring the anxiety levels down because we’re hyper-vigilant when we’re out in public.”

The family’s booth at Saturday’s market raised $669. Overall, the family has raised $23,525 toward a $42,000 goal since launching the campaign in January.

An opening in the training schedule has shortened the timeline by six to eight months. The family will travel to Florida for two weeks of handler instruction.

Merchandise at the booth included laser-cut wooden jewelry by Ryan Nosbush, screen-printed T-shirts by Ross Deopere, and items donated by local businesses.

Deopere, a virtual special education teacher with Minnesota Connections Academy, said the dog will provide environmental clearance in public settings.

“I’m excited to be able to feel safer in my environment,” Nosbush said. “She’s going to tell me whether I can go into places or not instead of me just going in and finding out.”

Deopere said the service dog will benefit the whole family.

“It’ll benefit our whole family and I mean the allergy limits us as a family, so it will bring less anxiety when we’re going to different unknown locations.”

Donations can be made through the GoFundMe page titled “Help Evelyn Get a Life-Saving Service Dog” or via Venmo at @Danielle-Deopere.