Starting University Tomorrow With My Service Dog In Training

[FindingMyself88]

So all of my financial aid appeal stuff is coming through and I am registered to take 2 classes this semester starting tomorrow! I haven't taken classes on campus since like 2013 I think, or maybe beginning of 2014. My 6 month old SDiT has proven he is ready to start classes with me so we start tomorrow! I am incredibly nervous about everything. Will the rest of my stuff come through this week (one file) so I can stay registered? How will my classes react to Kaz (my dog)? How will I handle the class? And so on... I have scheduled the classes 3 hours apart so that Kaz and I can escape to the nearby dog park to play and decompress.

So nervous but also so excited. I am beyond thankful that Kaz is ready or else I couldn't do this. Sure he is still young and will be learning- but he can handle this. He handled a 2 hour loud action movie last night and slept through most of it.

 

[ms spock]

Wow! Congratulations for all the preparation that you have done! Magnificent stuff!

The first bit is always stressful as you settle in, but I am sure that you and Kaz will be fine.

Remember everyone else will be feeling pretty anxious and stressy as well, so you won't be alone.

n fact I predict that you and Kaz will help everyone with your presence there, as having dogs around or pets around really helps every one to be calmer!

Do you have a protocol or printed out paper to give people about their interactions with your therapy dog? Make if friendly, thanking people for their interest but explaining what is and is not appropriate in given situations for you and your service dog.

I pet everyone's dogs so I don't know what would be appropriate in that situation.

My best to you and Kaz!

 

[Deleted member 28740]

Woof WoooooooF. I am jealous. You and Kaz will do fine.

A favourite book is Mystical Dogs "Jean Houston, the celebrated bestselling author and wide-ranging scholar, shows us how animals, and dogs in particular, can help restore and revitalize our connection to the oneness with all life. Houston has spent a lifetime bridging the worlds of animals and humans, exploring a realm that pet owners have glimpsed and indigenous peoples have known for millennia. The author identifies dogs, with their deceptively uncomplicated, joyous, loving nature, as custodes animi, guardians of our souls. "She weaves a fascinating and provocative web of wonder, as she regales us with animal stories, like a 21st century Scheherazade."

 

[FindingMyself88]

Thank yall!! @Ms Spock i have created some flyers but haven't found a cheap way to print them off yet. It has pictures of Kaz and I on it with proper service dog etiquette, FAQs, state and ADA laws, and some fun facts about Kaz. I need to get some printed.

It really varies according to each team (handler and dog). For medical alert dogs it is critical that they not be distracted. For instance I have non epileptic seizures where I pass out. If Kaz missed an alert because someone is petting him- it could cause me serious harm. Now if I only needed him for my PTSD I would be okay with people petting him because if I needed him we would just walk away. If kaz is in vest I typically don't let people pet him.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Congratulations in going to Uni.

I just started a Jr. College and the last time I was a student it was 1975! I am sixty years old and love being back in college and so will you.

I felt and feel all of the feelings you so eloquently expressed and I think that taking your service dog with you is a steller. Good luck.

 

[FindingMyself88]

Thank you @gizmo !

Today went better than I could've ever hoped! Kaz was a PRO! Like he is not even 6 months old but he acted like he had been trained for years! He slept soundly through both classes- one of my professors had to come see Kaz for himself because he didn't believe me when I introduced Kaz and I lol! Kaz alerted to rising anxiety, a non epileptic absence seizure, and exhaustion/dizzyness from lack of eating.

I could not have done today without him!!

 

[void]

Thank yall!! @Ms Spock i have created some flyers but haven't found a cheap wa...

I would suggest to NOT print copies($$$) but instead laminate ONE copy and pass it around in each class so everyone knows how to treat you and Kaz.

I LOVE your courage!!!!:singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing::singing:
I celebrate you for having the guts to put yourself out there!:happy::happy::happy::happy::happy::happy:
You deserve to feel very proud!!!

 

[FindingMyself88]

Surprisingly my class has been GREAT! Even people on campus- we've only had 2 petting attempts. Kaz sleeps through class unless he needs to alert me. My professors are very accommodating as well. As he gets bigger I will be getting him a bigger vest that will have more "do not pet" patches as well as a sign to go on my leash that says "Do not distract." One of the school photographers took our picture walking into one of the buildings to class.

Yesterday he alerted me to an impending fainting spell and then an absence seizure. I could not be doing this without him.

 

[Truthful_Whispers]

Don't be nervous, you'll do fine. I don't have a service dog, but I would probably bring an armload of my cats. :)

 

[_demolition.lovers_]

I want to get a service dog for my PTSD and anxiety, but I'm not so sure what the process is of getting one. Would you mind explaining?

 

[Weemie]

The university might release a memo of some kind abt the dog (I.E. not to touch it, or distract it) etc. We have a student with one and that's what they did for us.

 

[FindingMyself88]

@_demolition.lovers_ I am owner training my own service dog, but I have mentored under two other trainers for over a year. If you have never done any advanced training, I would suggest going through a program as training your own is a HUGE responsibility. First you would need to find a legit program- ask for recommendations and seek out reviews. A program is going to require a doctor's letter or the doctor to fill out a form stating that you are in fact diagnosed with PTSD as a disability and that a service dog would benefit you. There will be other questions as well for your doctor (such as are you able to take care of the dog, etc). It takes a while because most programs have lists but its worth it. Even training your own dog takes at least 18 months to fully train, sometimes more.