A Service Dog Journey

I'm a spoonie with POTS, chronic migraine, and c-PTSD. I adopted a dog from a shelter in February 2016 and named her Potter. This is our training story. // LGBTQ, feminist, and a MS/PhD graduate student. she/her.

[gayhanguangjun]

If you’re disabled:

Parents/caregivers saying things like “I wasted so much money on you” and “it takes so much money/effort to take care of you” and “be grateful I’m willing to give this much for you” are wrong.

Yes, it’s expensive (whether financially or physically or emotionally or what have you) to take care of a disabled person, but that is their responsibility. If they’re your parents, they signed up for the job as soon as they had a kid.

Disability is not under your control. It’s not your fault that it’s expensive.

No one should use that to guilt you or control you. If they do then they are wrong, and they are cruel.

[irepolly]

I needed this a long time ago

No one should be made to feel guilty for their basic existence

[servicedogspoonie-blog]

I love this concept from the discussion over at @translatingableism: If you think you can't handle being a parent to a disabled child (especially emotionally, but also financially), then don't have children. Disability is not predictable in most cases, and many disabilities are developed over time. I didn't spend the first 10 or so years of my life disabled, but now I am 24 with physical and psychological disabilities. No potential child deserves the emotional abuse (and potentially medical abuse, neglect, etc) you'll put them through because you couldn't handle them not being perfect.

[genericlottery]

5/26/2016- Chronic Illness

Blergh.

[bufotoxin-blog-deactivated20221]

“imagine if people took mental health issues as seriously as physical ones” oh right i forgot how the world is so accommodating and understanding of physical disabilities. people with physical disabilities are just rolling in cash and glamor, constantly

[femme-werewolf-deactivated20181]

OK, I get this, but in my experience there is a difference. 

When I had cancer and needed to miss work: “No problem. Take all the time you need.” 

When I’ve been suicidally depressed and needed to miss work: “Where were you? Stop being so lazy. Just cheer up. Jeez, you’re bringing the whole team down.”

Depression’s gotten a lot closer to killing me than cancer ever did, but most schools/employers I’ve ever had have treated it like a personality flaw. 

I think what it really boils down to is how long term and inconvenient your disability is to the abled people around you. How much do they have to acknowledge that you’re disabled? Do they have to change anything to accomodate you? Is your disability inconvenient for them in any way, even a tiny one? Does anything in the office/classroom need to be changed so you can do as well as anybody else? “That’s a lot of work. You’re only one person. Why should you get special treatment?” 

That’s the line. It’s not about physical vs. psychological, it’s about whether we are inconvenient in any way. 

The problem is that abled people don’t take any of this seriously, because as soon as it inconveniences them even the tiniest bit, we’re burdens. Even with the cancer, people were only nice and sympathetic about it for the first few months, when I was more functional and had only just gotten diagnosed. Before three surgeries. Before I had to miss weeks of work. When my health got worse, well. I’m job hunting right now. 

What they really want is disabled people they don’t have to accomodate or understand.

[aspergersissues]

That last sentence is so sadly true :(

[servicedogspoonie-blog]

Yes. What you see when people are so much more accommodating of physical issues is 95% of the time BOTH: 1) A recent problem, preferably with diagnosis 2) A problem they are familiar with -- cancer, MS, a problem they have had personally or a family member has had before

If you have a disease/disorder/illness that they've never heard of, you can expect the sympathy and helpfulness to decrease. If you remain sick for more than a few weeks, you can expect the sympathy and helpfulness to decrease.

Folks with only mental illnesses tend to compare sympathy levels to abled people getting the flu or a broken leg. Chronic physical illness is an entirely different game.

[trainingfaith]

I saw your post about head halters(which was AWSOME!!) and that brought me to a few questions. 1)do you think that having your dogs name on the vest would make public access harder?(would it look un-professional etc or would it cause distractions etc ??) 2)have you ever worked Faith unvested? Did that cause people to think she was fake? Did people just figure that she was a pet and they could come up to her and cuddle her? Where I live, it gets very hot in the summer.

Hi anon! Good questions :)

1) I know of a few handlers who have embroidered their dog’s name on a vest and haven’t had any issues. Personally, I’d never do it because I wouldn’t want jerks to call Faith’s name trying to distract her. Also, it leaves less room for important patches (i.e. Do Not Pet, Do Not Separate From Handler, etc). However, that is just my opinion. I don’t think a name embroidery looks unprofessional in any way. It definitely shouldn’t create any unnecessary access issues.

2) I work Faith unvested all the time! For example, if I’m driving and just have to make a quick stop somewhere, I don’t bother to vest Faith up. I also won’t vest her if we are going somewhere outdoors during the summer, as it’s WAY too hot and she overheats quickly. It is up to you whether or not you want to vest your dog. It is NOT required by law. A vest can help prevent access issues…. but a well trained dog’s behavior will speak for itself. When it comes to people trying to pet Faith, I really don’t see a change if she’s vested or not (though we get more rude glares when she’s “naked”).

[fab-jenn]

[thischroniclife]

My new response to being asked “What happened?”...

[jihoa]

Cursum | Baby Stroller by Sjöblom

‘Believe it or not, there are still large portions of the population that are surprised that people with disabilities have babies. They may even be surprised that wheelchair users who have babies want to go on walks or run errands with their babies with them.’

A design made in conversation with wheelchair users, really intuitive. The stroller can be lifted over curbs and stand alone when needed.

[psychdogblog]

Apps for Service Dog Training

A list of useful apps for those of you who are training your own Service Dogs (or are just looking for some cool apps to help with your SD). I only have an iPhone, and I am unsure if these are on both IOS and Android, however I suspect most of these are or there is at least a similar one. (This will be updated as I find more apps).

- Riley

Nagdu - While this app was created for the National Association of Guide Dog Users, it is helpful for anyone with a service dog. It has the entirety of the ADA Service Dog section, individual State Laws, and general guidance with things like hotels, restaurents, and other places of buisness. Free

BringFido - This  allows you to find pet friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, beaches, and tons more. You can also book your hotel, look up their pet policy, and use filters to find the hotels that would best fit your dog. Super useful for dogs who are not 100% PA trained and are not protected by state laws - do some training and be a little less anxious about it. Free

Pet Coach - App that connects you to dog trainers, vets, and nutritionists if you have questions about troubleshooting problems or ensuring that your pup is maintaining a proper weight. Free

iClicker - Self explanatory: Sometimes you forget your clicker in a moment of brain fog or you simply don’t want to bring a physical clicker with you. iClicker is simple - just press the clicker button and have your volume on. Free

Keep reading

[complexptsd]

C-PTSD Symptoms

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a type of PTSD that is caused by severe, repeated trauma, such that involves captivity, manipulation, and entrapment. It is trauma that is long-term and involves an inability for escape. This trauma occurs long enough to deform one’s sense of identity and self.

There is no mandated list of criteria for C-PTSD in the DSM-5, but there are six clusters of symptoms that are currently used for diagnosis. These major, core symptoms of C-PTSD are:

Emotional Dysregulation - This involves severe mood swings/dysphoria, impulsive behaviour, self-harm, and suicidal preoccupations. This could result in explosive anger, or extremely inhibited anger, or both. It could also result in either compulsive or extremely inhibited sexuality (i.e. hypersexuality or sex repulsion/trauma-induced asexuality, or both.) This also involves difficulty expressing and communicating emotions.

Consciousness Instability - Forgetting traumatic events or reliving them is a part of a struggle with consciousness. Sometimes reliving trauma can be either through intrusive thought, or preoccupation with the trauma. This also involves dissociation, which can cause severe consciousness interruption and memory gaps.

Self-Perception Issues - The trauma that causes C-PTSD messes with the ego, so its symptoms results in a skewed perception of self. One might feel helpless, full of shame and guilt, like a constant victim or a horrible person, feel defiled and disgusting, and/or believe they are completely separate from other human beings altogether.

Distorted Views of the Perpetrator - Becoming preoccupied with a perpetrator, whether it’s allotting total power to them, developing a preoccupation with them (such as revenge or seeking to find others exactly like them), or clinging onto the idea of being special to the perpetrator, would all be examples of distorted views.

Struggle With Interpersonal Relationships - Avoidance, distrust, paranoia, a sense of inability to connect with others. One with C-PTSD might also be constantly searching for a ‘saviour’ figure, and could also go to great lengths for self-protection.

Loss or Change in System of Meanings - The beliefs one held before trauma changing or going away completely, such as religious faith, or one being succumbed with despair or feeling like there is no hope.

Outside of the six clusters of general symptoms, the other symptoms often associated with C-PTSD are:

Revictimization - Those with C-PTSD are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Many will be revictimized if they are not taught how to read red flags, as those with C-PTSD may seek to relieve trauma without realizing it because they don’t know anything else.

Hypervigilance - Increased anxiety and sensory input will make the survivor hyperaware of everything in their environment. This may result in paranoia, in extreme jumpiness, etc. Someone with C-PTSD will be constantly feeling like they are in a dangerous situation, and thus be hypervigilant due to that. (This may cause someone to be constantly in fight mode, or flight mode, or freeze mode, etc.)

Unexplained Physical Symptoms - Hypervigilance exhausts the body. This is what most professionals believe leads to chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, headaches, nausea, chest pain, and various other physical symptoms that range from mild to severe. This pain cannot be explained by other existing medical conditions.

Dissociation - Degrees of dissociation range. It is common for those with C-PTSD to deal with chronic dissociation, which can lead to emotional numbness, feeling unable to focus, inability to connect to one’s identity or reality (depersonalization and derealization), and memory loss. To a severe degree, it may result in identity splitting, which would lead to comorbidity with Dissociate Identity Disorder.

Substance Abuse - It’s not uncommon for those with C-PTSD to struggle with substance abuse, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, smoking, etc. Some may also use sexual contact in the same way.

Attachment Issues - C-PTSD can cause various problems with attachment, including hyperempathy or a lack of empathy, an inability to accurately perceive other people’s motives, isolation, seeking out codependency, feeling unable to depend on others at all, and not knowing where personal boundaries lie for themselves or others.

Cognition Problems - Executive dysfunction, inability to pay attention, communication problems, sensory overload, object impermanence.

[illness-to-wellness]

Did you know that invisible disabilities make up 96% of all disabilities? I certainly didn’t until I met someone my own age with rheumatoid arthritis. I’m glad to have met some absolutely amazing people who live with challenges that the eye cannot see because symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome eventually became too big to ignore in my own body. I’m glad to know that I have so many others with invisible disabilities who understand me. I’m also glad to know that there are people who don’t understand, even though it can lead to hurt feelings and awkward moments, because I would never wish the pain I experience on anyone else. Regardless of whether or not you can empathize with my pain and my struggle, I deserve respect. I have the right to speak my story to people I trust and I also have the right to remain silent with people I don’t know. My disability is invisible, not imaginary. 

“The bottom line is that everyone with a disability is different, with varying challenges and needs, as well as abilities and attributes. Thus, we all should learn to listen with our ears, instead of judging with our eyes.

Sincerely,

The Invisible Disabilities Association”

[annieelainey]

[Photo: outdoors, green grass, person with hair pulled back in a ponytail holds up a personal dry erase board that reads “Yes, this is my handicap permit. No, it’s not your right to know why”

[actuallyservicedogs]

I knew someone who used to train service dogs, and I see service dogs sometimes at the store, but I don't know much about their lives. Pardon my lack of knowledge about this sort of thing, but... is it "good" for dogs to be service dogs? As in, are most service dogs happy? There are rules stating that when the dog is working, you're not allowed to talk to them, make eye contact, or pet them. That seems like a sad way for a dog to live. Do service dogs get breaks? Are they treated well? Thanks!

Oh absolutely. It’s a huge requirement for service dogs to enjoy the work they do. A service dog prospect won’t succeed unless they enjoy it.

And yeah you’re not allowed to talk, make eye contact, or pet them, but you are a stranger, their handlers are and a service dog loves no person more than their handler. Quite a few of the service dogs I’ve worked with don’t even like interacting with strangers, but praise or interaction from their handler or trainer is one of the greatest things that ever happened to them.

People who think dogs who work are sad show, in my opinion, a lack of knowledge in dog behavior and cognition. Working itself is a huge reward for dogs that have the correct personality for the work.

And yes, of course service dogs get breaks. They get to run around and take naps and cuddle with their handlers. But again, most service dogs don’t see doing tasks and such for their handlers as work. They really, truly enjoy it.

-Jade

[encouragemutts]

I get this question all the time and Jade nailed it: a dog who doesn’t want to work won’t make it as an SD and they get tons of love from their families!

[servicedogspoonie-blog]

Totes. It's not like they are aware of capitalism or being "on the clock." Potter and many SDs get to go to dog parks and other fun places still. In some ways, being a service dog is more fulfilling for the right dogs because they get more attention, more structure, more time with their handler, and more mental stimulation. A dog that is meant to work needs to work, whether that's as an SD or something else (show dog, agility, herding, sports, etc).

[xiaq]

Story time

Went to get afternoon drinks with some grad school compatriots and when approaching the bar, one of the other patrons looked at Deacon and said to his (I’m assuming) wife: “we need to get a vest like that for Cooper so he can go everywhere with us.” Me: “Actually, my dog is a service animal. He’s not just a pet with a vest on.” Man: “but you don’t look disabled” Me: “…what does a disabled person look like, exactly?” Man’s wife: “Jesus, Charles. Stop talking. This is why the Olsens won’t play bridge with us anymore.”

[piecesofpye]

Part of a new series I’m working on! This and many others will be available on Society6 as tees, totes, and prints! They’re Sassy Service Dogs telling people what’s what.

[connorscape-deactivated20171114]

reblog to save a life so i don’t mow a fricker over

[actuallyservicedogs]

A Common Misconception

The more I am involved in the Service Dog and disabled community, the more I realize that people think being disabled means that you cannot do a certain thing. That no matter what, you just simply can’t.

That is plainly not true. To be disabled under the ADA and to qualify for a Service Dog you must be substantially limited in one or more major life activity.

That can mean standing is painful; maybe you can do it, but it hurts and limits your ability to do it.

That can mean walking is tiring. Maybe you can walk, but it exhausts you and limits your ability to do it.

That can mean leaving your home is traumatizing. Maybe you can go buy food, but afterwards you have a panic attack or dissociate; your ability to go out is limited.

These are only three examples– and there are dozens, if not hundreds of others out there. 

This misunderstanding is not only inaccurate, but extremely ableist. Boxing all disabled people together and perpetuating the belief that if you can do it, then you’re fine, no matter how harmful or painful it is to you, is wrong and incorrect.

It’s important to remember that not all disabilities are the same and not all disabled people are the same. Disabilities affect different people in a huge variety of different ways, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t all disabled.

-Jade

[fightingfearnotpain-blog]

I woke up in so much pain

And I realised: this is why abled people don’t understand us.

They wake up after a sleep in with that warm, hazy, rested feeling that feels so very nice. We wake up after a sleep in and have to take inventory, immediately aware of our illnesses and pain, even when we’re supposed to be ‘relaxed’

The most basic things they experience & take for granted are the things that would change their thinking of our diseases, I’m sure of it.

[spiffymuffin]

Chronic migraine is defined as having migraines at least 15 days every month, lasting four hours or more.

[spiffymuffin]

Chronic Migraine in America 2013 [x]