Publicly confronted about service dog. a disability isn't fake just because it's invisible. (vent)

[lostforgottensoul]

You also were responding to someone who has a current focus of using the sd to reintegrate and form meaningful relationships. Which is a valid use of the dogs.

Well partly why I need him but yes. And thank you!

Ah, I understand. I like to 'play nice', too. However, their are some people one just cannot play with in a healthy fashion. So, when speaking with someone who is being difficult - especially someone who is crossing my personal boundaries - I must reassess whether this is someone I want to have anything to do with. Generally, a boundary-crosser of any sort who does not respect me enough to back off when I tell him to, I label (in my head) this person as a boundary crosser, potentially unsafe, and someone I want nothing to do with. I then generally disengage. I do my best not to allow him to draw me into an argument.

No, you aren't understanding.

There is a HUGE difference in these people that don't listen and perps. And that would classify a very large section of the public as perps and that is very wrong to do. Especially in my own mind. It counters my therapy for sure.

Walking over a misunderstood boundary isn't always an act done with intent to harm and being able to decipher the ill informed from the actual perps is a key skill for *my* personal recovery from PTSD - and I respect that it may be different for others.

Yep, mine too.

In fact, my own dog can "say hi" if I tell her she can, and there are a select few people I let her say hi too.

Chopper knows that command too. I make sure that the person has asked, that I have saw he has body language that the person is ok, and he is waiting for me and staying in command before I said it.

I started teaching it with my dad. I didn't have a lot of time to teach it so he isn't 100% with it but I am making sure he knows when he can't say hi and when I say "go say hi" I show him it's ok to say hi.

Actually, met a really nice guy in the neighboring apartment complex that way. He asked and I gave Chopper the command. He saw a training tool I use and we spoke about that. Which is a HUGE step in my therapy!

Meeting people and learning to interact with people is a HUGE part of my therapy. I mean, when you are raised the way i was, you think everyone acts that way and then I ended up putting myself in a dark cave due to terror of the public and of people.

And I also watch Chopper's body language. I have learned his very subtle body language changes when he sees a bad person and it helps me a lot!

Saying rude/strict comments even to those that don't listen to me is not something I should do in my opinion.

Dogs get into our hearts so deeply.

Yes they do and that is why these people aren't perps but just uneducated animal lovers. Big difference!

 

[Kefira]

It's ironic that on this thread itself shows how passionate people can get and forthright in telling service dog trainers what to do and how.

It's amazing how often this is the case though in my experience.

Which is a shame, because we're dealing with serious systemic issues that won't have simple fixes. But it's hard to convince people there's not an easy fix to a problem. That's in general, not just with handler issues. Add on the fact that even years of researching won't prepare you or make the reality of handling any easier and it's just not a great situation overall from an advocacy and communication standpoint.

 

[Deleted member 28740]

I just finished reading a remarkable book "Animals In Translation" by Temple Grandin. She is autistic and an animal scientist. "People with autism can often think the way animals think, … translate animal talk … how they think, act, and feel." The communication is unique to each partnership, both person and animal. The environment changes constantly whether alone or out in the world. Behavior is both hardwired and learned. Changes to the brain …

Head full digesting the book. For me and my SD (in training) there is inside and outside (but multiple outside roles). We both love off leash space and time. Then there is out in the world working time. They are different. My dogs juggles the different rules/roles not always perfect but mostly. Always a work in progress, that she is better at than me. Learning from her everyday.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Which is a shame, because we're dealing with serious systemic issues that won't have simple fixes. But it's hard to convince people there's not an easy fix to a problem.

Agreed! It sounds easy, until you are in the situation and then it is not so easy.

 

[JustBe]

I just finished reading a remarkable book "Animals In Translation" by Temple Grandin. She is autist...

I agree.
Awesome book.
Awesome person.

 

[Freedomfighter]

I walked to the grocery store in bad weather today. I can't drive because of a medical condition, an...

What that woman was doing was just plain wrong, it simply shows that she is someone that can not mind her own business. There should be an ordinance about people that intrude on others like she did. People like that make me sick.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

There should be an ordinance about people that intrude on others like she did.

There is in most States (or at least mine). It is a mistimeanor to interfier with a Service Dog team and keep the SD from doing their job.

ETA: Not sure about federal.