Service dog rollercoaster

[popeye]

Well this month my doggy is turning a year old. we are not sure the exact date because her records are a bit goofy. But she is now officially a 1 year old dog. She is slowly maturing and getting sneaky with the kids. She will hide out under them when they eat and grab up whatever falls. She thinks I don't notice it but I don't miss much.

Abby and I are currently in training for a hiking trip. She is doing pretty good following me around and enjoying herself. At one point during or last hike her leash came off my clip and I didn't notice it. She was walking directly beside me and never strayed. I noticed though when we stopped for water that she wasn't connected to my backpack. She is learning so much and our bond is getting to be a great one.

There are times of course when I almost feel distant from her though. She is not always affectionate and sometimes seems to be so intent on doing her job or staying in the heel position that I almost feel like she is a robot at times. Although on the other hand when we are at home she is a normal dog. Loving and sneaky and protective. She has even developed the habit of while I am putting on my socks she'll pull them back off and run around the house with them.

 

[popeye]

Abby the wonder dog strikes again! Earlier today I went to my brothers house to help him with some yard work. After the yard work was finished he decided we should go check out this new mega grocery store. (It's called Woodman's) I had never been there but I have seen a few commercials and heard my mother talking about it. I took Abby expecting a casual shopping trip, expecting the usual amount of people shopping there maybe 25-40 people at the most. What we walked into was the busiest store I have ever been in.

There were about 20 people just standing in a line to grab a cart (buggy). The place was loud and there were just tons of people. And to top it all off this store was beyond just a large store. Picture almost a super walmart but only food. The liquor department at this place was about the size of the grocery store where I usually go. I started to flip out thinking Abby was going to go nuts with all the commotion.

About 10 minutes into shopping and having several people nearly running us over I realized Abby was going to be fine but I was the one with the problem. Just way too much for me to keep my calm. It's kind strange how she picked up on it. She just stayed calm and relaxed as if there wasn't anywhere near the amount of people around as there actually was. I didn't need to correct her even once. She sat when we stopped and continued walking when we walked. After almost all the shopping was done we got to the soda isle. My brother had gone back for something and that gave me a moment without 50 people trying to shove me out of the way to try and relax. I knelt down and Abby just placed her head on my shoulder and let me hug her for some support.

On our way out the door after checking out the manager of the place stopped us. He asked what kind of dog she was and what she does for me and things. He was very nice to us. He asked me to wait for a minute while he called his other managers to come talk to us. I at this point was thinking "great this guy is going to give me a hassle now"

It turns out he lied to me, he wasn't calling his managers he went back into the store and bought a bag of doggy treats for her.

All in all with the exception of a mild panic moment we did just fine there. I was so proud of Abby for how she responded to the situation. As we returned to the car I realized i wasn't just proud of Abby for how well she did I was proud of myself for not just giving up and going back to the car when that panic feeling started.

 

[KP the nut]

Wow, that is amazing. If more shops could have management like that, so open and accepting.

You and Abby are an inspiration.

(((HUGS)))
KP

 

[BloomInWinter]

I have been thinking about this for awhile now and I am going to start a new post about this topic but I was wondering how great of a need is there for psychiatric service dogs? In my search I didn't find much if anything about training them by professionals. I was thinking maybe I would start work on creating a better way for those of us with ptsd to obtain a well trained service dog.

I'm hoping to get one myself....I dissociate so much it would be such a relief to have a friend with me to help.

My doc approved me for a dog, after going through immunotherapy such that my allergies are much better.

Now I'm trying to envision what assistance would be most helpful to me to make a list. Still so much to consider...

 

[Jacquie]

She's got Bluey in her (Australian cattle dog)
Smart
Loyal
Smart
Patient
Smart
Attached to one person or family mostly
Smart
Unrufflable
Smart
Inseparable
SMART

They learn more than wait for orders. Real thinkers. Leaders. Team players.

The one in the middle (in this pic) the calm looking one, is actually the game maker. She controls whatever is going on and never misses a thing. Natural leader, loved by all, not aggro and not hyper. She knows when I need to be left alone and when its a good time to play. She can usually be found under my desk with her head resting on one foot. Not intruding but just 'there'. We are a team of one...the 2 of us.

 

[melody]

Wow Popeye, this is incredible! I've heard about service dogs, but never looked into it. This gives me so much hope, so thank you for this thread. Now I just have to find someone in Ontario, Canada. :)

 

[popeye]

You know something... when I started this thread I never thought it would be helpful to other people. I was basically writing it to explain to the people in the chat room here my whole deal with Abby and for those in the forum whom I spoke to on a regular basis.

I am glad sharing my experience with you all has been helpful.

Now just today my wife and I had an access challenge with Abby. I backed down because I didn't want to start spouting off laws if I was incorrect. I won't get into specifics in case somehow this goes to a court case or some crazy junk like that. But basically I was attempting to accompany my wife to her doctors appointment because last time she said the Doctor was too vague and a little rude to her. When the nurse called my wife back I started to follow and one of the other nurses stated that I was not allowed into the clinic with Abby. Now I am not sure if I would have been right saying that I was allowed because I am not their patient my wife is.Tonight I am going to be researching the laws to find out who would have been right on that one.But I believe I would have been correct.

 

[Eleanor]

is.Tonight I am going to be researching the laws to find out who would have been right on that one.But I believe I would have been correct.

Good luck on your research - if you don't have a 'yellow jacket" for Abby, make one. People seem to respect a dog in uniform. Seriously. Guide dogs in training go everywhere (save, perhaps, surgical suites :)) regular old Dr's offices for sure they get into. (Like, blind people can't go to the doctor's office?) Find out, and get/make an official looking jacket.

My dog's name is Gunner - after Gibbs too. Husband's dog is Bob (after Robert Duvall).

Sounds like your wife needs a new doctor - or at least a new doctor's office!

 

[Deaf Global Nomad]

Hi Popeye,

I am glad to meet someone else with a service dog on the forum. I have a very tall golden retriever who helps me with a large number of tasks. He is officially a special skills dog, meaning that at home he functions as a hearing dog alerting me to sounds like an alarm clock, doorbell/knock, fire alarm, intruder, and phone. In public he is a regular service dog. He helps me with mobility as I do not have any balance nerve cells in the inner ear, opens doors, picks up things off the floor/ground, carries, light things, pays at a check out after depositing the merchandise on the counter. I knew that his physical skills would be helpful for me and was excited when the agency told me that they had found a perfect match for me.

What I was not aware of was how much his additional skills would be helpful. Bright became my best friend, which meant I was no longer isolated in a group of people. He provided me with emotional support when PTSD symptoms controlled me after being triggered. He could get me to my car or out of the chaos. He learned to nudge me when I was either experiencing flashbacks or dissociation. In medical situations during which I freeze Bright helps me calm. If the doctor approaches me and starts touching me without any explanation as to what he is doing Bright will simply put his body between us until the doctor becomes patient. When I am calm and sign to Bright without shaking, asking him to lie down.

However, access issues are barriers we face on a regular basis. In regular settings (e.g. stores, restaurants, doctor's offices, etc...) I will fight for access. I have the appropriate cards, the agency's backup, etc... There are only two places where I back down: One is if I am being physically attacked or threatened by a group of kids or teens who are kicking us or throwing things at us. Two is if I am going to visit someone in a hospital setting in which Bright's fur could prove lethal (e.g. ICU) or I am visiting someone where the staff cannot guarantee Bright or my safety (every so often it happens in psych units).

Bright's agency in the meantime has begun providing service dogs for vets with PTSD and having the state pay for their dogs.

Best wishes,
From another PTSDer who has found the Miracle of a PTSD dog

 

[melody]

That's amazing Deaf Global Nomad - I am definitely going to look into this! :)

 

[popeye]

well, Popeye 1 Nurse 0... I was right and she was wrong. Although it appears at this point that it doesn't matter since we no longer will be seeing that doctor.

 

[KP the nut]

Good for next time, although I hope there won't be a next time.

((HUGS to you and Abby)