Miracles do happen! i'm getting a service dog!

[Lady of Longbourn]

Good luck Bubz. Wishing you the best.

 

[maddog]

This is really exciting for you Bubz, I do hope you'll keep us informed as your journey together kicks off. Just out of curiosity, what tasks will/has your dog been trained to perform?

Maddog

 

[HëllaBubz]

Well, what about your new service dog?

He is fully supportive, and has promised to try to bond with the dog a little as well.

The other half was quite upset when he asked when the foster dog was coming, and I told him that they didn't want a bar of us, and he felt really awful.

He is really pleased that we won't be training a puppy from scratch (which, amazingly, he was prepared to do!).

The fact that this dog has bugger all shedding, has had most of his training done, and will be well mannered is a dream for him, given that he can't stand them.

He understands and has expressed that he realizes how important it is for me to get the dog, and given the circumstances behind the dog he believes (as do I) that this is the dog meant for me.

what tasks will/has your dog been trained to perform?

The dog was originally trained as an autism/diabetic dog, but on top of him knowing and responding to when I'm upset, depressed or anxious, he will be taught how to;

find things I lose
keep a barrier between myself and others when we are out,
travel on public transport
wake me from nightmares
stop me from crossing the street on a red light
help bring me out of anxiety attacks / high peaks
pick things up I drop (being pregnant is not making it easy to bend!)

These are just a few, he will be taught more as the need arises, or if things arise that my partner thinks of that I do not.

He will also be a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and drag my sorry ass down to the park for a few rounds of ball, so there is that benefit as well.

pregnancy brings its own kind of weirdness

Yeah, me feels like an alien! My body is doing all sorts of stupid shit (like savoury food tasting off) and I'm just being swept along for the ride.:alien:

I will definitely feel more safe with a bigger dog beside me, and given that I'm familiar with the breed, I'll feel even safer because I know that they bond with you for life.....unless your partner is the one that feeds them....in that case, you're gone! :D

 

[therapybankrupt]

Bubz I am so happy for you. A dog really does help with much more than the outside world. They know when you need distracting. They are the greatest.

 

[Grace Hope]

TheBubzilla,

I am glad for you and your new support dog and I wish you well for the future.

I was wondering whether people with illnesses like our PTSD and or other illnesses would be able to get financial help for a support dog. If someone lived on their own, had a physical disability as well and had to sort out dog walking, vets bills, food and all the other stuff that would be hard for someone like me. How could they manage financially as government benefits are often not enough? You have a big dog which is usually a good breed as a companion dog but it needs a lot of " walkies " and "din - dins".

Myself, if I could get a support dog it would have to be very small but capable pooch. I was wondering as you have been round the block a bit on this subject, have you seen any small support dogs that wouldn`t need as much walking or have any suggestions?

I have had PSD for years, also I have diabetes and Fibromyalgia. I must say I would feel a lot safer outside with a dog.

 

[HëllaBubz]

get financial help for a support dog.

I have yet to find anywhere that assists with finance for a service dog.

How could they manage financially as government benefits are often not enough?

It may be worthwhile speaking to charities such as Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul, Goodwill, etc, as they may help you with groceries so that your income is freed up so that you can spend money on food or vet care.

You have a big dog which is usually a good breed as a companion dog but it needs a lot of " walkies " and "din - dins".

Although, the main cost would be 'din-dins', and the initial outlay for a bed, collar etc.

I am fortunate enough to have a partner who knows how to budget, so as long as I stick to an extremely tight budget (which I have to anyway), I'll be ok.

If you are not having the dog deal with children, you could consider getting one from a pound, but I would recommend that you don't get a dog that has been abused, as you will not have the confidence you need from them in public.

The kind of dog you would want for lower upkeep and exercise would be a whippet or greyhound....I know it sounds silly, but they are serial couch potatoes, and do not require as much exercise as often thought.

They are much cheaper to feed also.

Keep in mind that my current pets only see the vet about once a year, and we see a charity vet that offers concessions for pensioners which helps.

It is possible to speak to organizations that train diabetic dogs, and you can continue the dog's training once you get him/her.

At the same time, a larger dog can be taught to 'brace' to help people with physical / mobility issues.....so I guess it's what gremlin is causing you the most grief!

It depends on where you are situated on the planet, as to how you would go about sourcing one.

I'm not doing really well at the moment, but if you PM me with your living circumstances and location, I'll see if I can find some stuff for you.


Speaking of gremlins, I think I'll call my dog Gremlin, because there won't be any in the closet when he comes!
And....he's coming to help me deal with my own gremlins too!

 

[Nicolette]

Although, the main cost would be 'din-dins', and the initial outlay for a bed, collar etc.

Don't forget that some Councils have strict registration guidelines inc micro-chipping etc as well as annual registration fees.

 

[HëllaBubz]

True.

He is already micro-chipped, and there is registration too!

Bloody brain.....someone gimme a call if they see it walking down the street?

 

[JustBe]

The main expenses I have had are the monthly heartworm and flea preventatives and the yearly check up and immunizations.

I believe there is a tax deduction for Service Dog expenses.

 

[HëllaBubz]

Hmmm.

I rarely have flea issues with my cats, or any dogs that stay here, but I do keep worming stuff which we give them 3 monthly.

I may look into the tax deduction for the service dog, I do not know if that applies here in Australia, however if it does, I'm going to be extremely pleased.

 

[Nicolette]

Link Removed

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, you may be asked to provide evidence that your dog is a genuine assistance or service dog. Certification from mindDog will solve this.


[DLMURL]http://www.ato.gov.au/content/00313907.htm[/DLMURL]

 

[HëllaBubz]

Careful Nic, show us you know too much and we'll never leave you be!

Thank you though, I just went and looked it up.

I think the majority of the expenses are not going to be incurred in this financial year, but next, but it's still good to know!
And I'll most certainly have my certification done through minddogs, they are a fabulous organization.

To anyone in Australia reading this.....there is a certain organization in the upper states of AUS that should be avoided, however I am not the type to name names, I'll let you do your own research.