Slowly Back To Work and Sharing Smiles #ServiceDogSunday

Carma Poodale, Medical alert service dog

Ma had a doctor appointment on Friday and I wanted to go with her. I knew she was extremely tired and wasn't feeling well. When we got there, it seemed like it took forever to be called back. I kept hearing the nurses saying how pretty I was and how they wish they could pet me but they knew they couldn't.

September is National #GuideDogMonth and @NaturalBalance Needs Your Help #Sponsored

September is National Service Dog Month. I am a Medical Alert Service Dog for my ma. I alert her when something is about to happen to her body, I am able to get her to a safe spot and I can alert another human if she needs assistance. This is only a part of my job because I have been trained in other task also.

I'm partnering with Natural Balance (the maker of premium-quality pet food) and Guide Dogs for the Blind (a non-profit charitable organization that raises and trains exceptional guide dogs to serve the blind and visually impaired) to recognize the 'Top Human-Canine Teams Who Make Us Believe.

Please join me to learn more about the partnership between Natural Balance and the Guide Dogs for the Blind. I want to introduce you to a team and a scenario you may never expect happening in your life but happened to this person and the dog that changed their life.

Where Am I Going And What We Registered Online Is Shocking!

Monday I told you I had a surprise and I gave a couple clues. A few of you did guess the right answer but others are still waiting for me to tell you my news.

Before I do that I would like to take time to talk about something that is important to me... my job. Not my job as a blogger or model for my blog or my babysitting skills but my job as a service dog.

11 Things NOT To Do When You See A Service Dog In A Store

Carma and I went to Sam's Club to get chicken tenders for the dehydrator and fresh veggies for the guinea pigs this weekend. The employees in the store joke around saying she is my membership card. No poodle, I have to show my card. I have been shopping at our store since the day it opened. 

They also ask who is with me if she isn't. They want to be able to locate the person in the store in case I (really them) need assistance. I am that person who goes in for coffee thinking I will be in and out in a bit but end up sitting on the floor, shelf or worse lying on the floor. This is due to my blood pressure bottoming out without warning. I have instructed them not to call 911 unless I am bleeding. They follow the ADA but I have shared with them what Carma does, what to do if they see her coming to them without me, and what to do if I need assistance. 

My warning system is my poodle. Carma Poodale IS a TRAINED Service Dog. Carma Poodale is a medical alert service dog to be exact. She can alert me before something happens. She has also pulled me right out the door to the car making me leave my cart full of groceries in the store. 

With all that being said, I want to share what NOT to do if you see a dog in a store that is not pet friendly. 

Service Dog Registration Voluntary In Michigan

In April a bill received approval in both the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate and was on its way to Sen. Knezek's desk. The bill was to protect veterans who use a service dog for PTSD and TBI. This bill would bring Michigan state laws that protect service dog handlers to be in line with the federal ADA laws. The wording had to be changed on the bill to also include non veterans who used service dogs for psychological disorders. 

WW- Chickyum Queen

It's good to be me. 

We are celebrating 

International Assistance Dog Week.

2 Buckets of boneless chickyum was my reward for all my hard work. 

No , I was not allowed to eat it all in one setting.

 But I could of if I wanted too! 

That's how I do my KFC

How do you do yours?

Service , Therapy and Emotional Support Animals- What's the Difference?

B/W Sunday - Service Dog

I am a service dog

Flying With a Service Dog-My Experiences

Recently ,I have seen a video that a passenger was removed from a plane due to allowing his service dog to sit in a vacant seat. After reading all the comments I will say 50 % were saying just let the dog sit there and the other 50% were saying "no, that is against the rules". The ones who were saying let the dog sit there was because it was a large dog. Service dogs come in all sizes but there are rules that a service dog has to obey in order for the dog to be protected by the ADA and ACAA laws. 

Before I fly, I always see my vet to get a health record. I have never had to show this to any airline but it's always best to have a physical before flying. I also carry my medical records, Canine Good Citizen test paper, and paperwork from ma's doctors that states I have passed all requirements to become a Service Dog. I also carry a card with the ADA Laws and my microchip card. Airlines are not required to ask for any of this but I would be rather safe then sorry. 

When people see me in a airport, I have heard them ask ma "where is she going to sit? She is too big" I am not too big. The first thing they should know is that I did not just show up at the airport, like SURPRISE! Whenever we are flying, my handler (ma) calls the airline directly and tells them that I will be flying with her. She books her seat and she calls the airline again 24 hrs in advance to make sure there was a note stating I will be flying with her. We have been on some cramped planes that even ma worried about me fitting. I have learned over the years to become a porta-poodle. I can become portable. 

I have flew on Delta, United Airlines and Cape Air and I am happy to say I have never had a problem. When we go through security , I am not required to take off my vest but I do. Ma thinks this helps to get through security faster. She will remove my vest , collar and leash and tell me to walk through the gate and stay. I will walk to the person on the other side, turn around, sit and wait for ma. After she walks through the machine they swab her hands and she puts my stuff back on me. Like I said YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DO THIS. We do it for convenience and to keep the line behind us moving. Plus I get lots of compliments from the person on the other side of the door. I strive on compliments. It means I am doing my job the best of my ability. 

Things can be cramped on small planes

 I curl up on the floor between ma's legs. Sometimes this isn't comfortable but she always books the shortest flights that she can. Since Sissy Sarah always flies with us, I am able to stretch out a little more between the two of them but there has been times that we don't get seats side by side. 

On Delta flying from Evansville Ind. there isn't as much room as other flights I have been on. My head can fit under the seat and I can stretch out a little more. Ma makes sure I am not in the aisle. Don't want anyone tripping over me. This can be a safety issue. 

Some ask why I don't fly in the bulkhead area of the plane where there is more room. The reason is I can't on the planes we have flew on. The bulkhead area is also a emergency exit and no service dog can be where the emergency exits are. 

 In larger cities where we can catch connecting flights I have found that I get more room on larger planes. I can lay comfortably under the seats. All airports have potty areas for service dogs. Its best to check out the airport layout to find these areas before you arrive. 

St Louis Airport 

Before we catch a connecting flight, ma always instructs me to stretch. This is so I don't hurt my back or get cramped legs. Hey, I am 7 yrs old so I am not a young pup! She also stretches so her legs don't bother her as bad from sitting. Having MS she has found she needs to stretch those muscles to make flying more pleasant. 

Ma loves their cookies too! 

Waiting to board the plane. 

Before flying on Delta, please check their rules for flying with a service dog. Here is a link -> Delta's requirements  One rule they and other airlines have is no dogs are allowed on the seats. Just as any other passenger with a disability, you are entitled to any available seat in which you are qualified to use and your animal is expected to be seated in the floor space below your seat.  No animals are allowed to occupy seats that are designed for passengers.

I have flown with Delta 6 times and they were always courteous , helpful and even offered me a cup of water but ma asked for ice instead. 

The representatives of the airlines we have called and book a flight with have always been friendly, helpful and made us feel like we are their only passenger. We have heard horror stories about traveling but we have only had a few quirks with luggage but never because of me. When I am at the airport in my vest, I am strictly a working dog. I do not want people to pet me. I am not a social girl like when I go to conferences or humane society events. 

When I flew with United Airlines, I had a similar experience except their planes were bigger. We did fly out of a separate airport then we did before. Ma called the airline and reserved our flight and again 24 hrs before we flew.  When we board the plane ma always lets me settle in before she gets settled. She thinks about my comfort first. 

Much more room to lay down. 

 Being it was a larger airport with larger planes I did have more room to stretch out. The head room was higher also. When I got off the plane I heard people saying they didn't know there was a dog on the plane. I also think to myself "what dog? WHERE?" I am a working girl. Our last flight was cramped and since so many were getting off the plane ma decided to just wait before we left our seats. Didn't want to try to get in the aisle with everypawdy but I am glad we did because I got to meet our pilot. She said she heard there was a standard poodle on the plane and she really liked poodles. 

United Rules for flying with a service animal can be found here->United Airlines rules *Customers traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric assist animal must provide a minimum 48-hour advance notification to the Disability Desk at the United Reservations office by both 1) calling 1-800-228-2744 and 2) submitting the required documentation (PDF) by fax (1-313-234-6966) or email (uaaeromed@united.com). The Disability Desk must receive and validate the required documentation prior to the time of travel. Verification of documentation will include United contacting your mental health care professional. If we are unable to validate the documentation or if the advance notification is not given, customers will be required to transport the animal as a pet, and pet fees will apply.

While at airports there are many ways to catch connecting flights. Some of the obstacles that I had to learn was how to ride a Marta Train. These are fast moving trains to get you to one end of a airport to another. I learned really quick how to sit down and brace ma. She was the one who had a hard time on them. The first one we rode we found out quickly that if sissy Sarah didn't grab her shirt she would have ended up at the other end of the train. BOL! 

I also took advantage of learning how to ride moving sidewalks and escalators. We don't have those things in Owensboro and it when I was completing my training I was allowed to skip those two things. When we were in Atlanta , we got videos of me riding them to show ma's doctor since he is the one who helped me with my training. Being he is a military doctor , he does things by the book. 

I really liked the moving sidewalks. You could people watch while being still and I could keep check on ma's legs to make sure they were working properly. 

I also learned how to ride a escalator. Right before we get to the point where we get off, ma says OFF and I would jump off. After riding a couple of times I learned how to get off gracefully. We did have a lady that made comments to ma about me being on one but ma told her that if the elevator was down she couldn't walk the stairs so I had to know how to use them. People don't understand sometimes that I need to be able to use any type of transportation because its part of my job. I am a full size dog so my ma can't just pick me up. I would never recommend a smaller dog riding these types of moving stairs. Full size service dogs need  to know how to do these things if your handler (pawent) is a traveler. 

 Sometimes not all planes are medium to large. Sometimes they are as ma calls them "crop dusters" These are small 6-8 seater planes that get you from small airports to larger ones. These will give you a whole different outlook on flying. Ma freaked out the first time we rode one but the return trip she was much better and actually enjoyed it. They don't offer beverages but they offer a pawtastic view of the land and clouds. 

Smaller planes don't issue tickets like the others, you are loaded on the plane by your weight. If you don't like telling your weight then this isn't the plane for you. Since ma weighed the least she had to sit in the back. They even had to know my weight so they could add it to ma's. On the trip going , I laid on the floor beside a door and after we got in the air I sat up and put my head on ma's lap to calm her down. She petted my floof flat. She also popped some calm down pills that I carry in my pouch.I always carry her medication when we fly. This way if her luggage gets sent somewhere else or her purse gets stolen I always have it.  I know when she is about to have a panic attack and I will try to advert it. I calm her down most of the time.  

Sissy Sarah got to sit up in front. Its a packed flight. 

When we went through security at our airport ma does not remove my gear. She does remove my collar since it has a metal tag and she hands my leash and collar to the security guard and I pass through the metal detectors the same as I do in larger airports. 

Since on the flight coming back to our hometown was minus 1 passenger the pilot told ma I could sit in the seat beside her. This was so the weight would be distributed. I appreciated being able to lay in a seat. I still keep my head on ma's lap so she can pet me to de-stress herself. It also allows me to keep check on her easier.

 Cape Air is pet friendly as long as you call the airlines first.To view what their requirements are click HERE *We gladly accept live animals on our flights. However, advance reservations are recommended. Only one pet per aircraft may be booked confirmed space. Live animals are approved for travel on a first-come, first-served basis. Multiple live animals from the same family are permitted on the same aircraft; however it is possible that, due to space or weight constraints, the passenger and pets may not be able to be accommodated on any particular flight. 

The airport is really nice and the staff is really friendly. The planes are a little louder than larger planes but its not bothersome and you can still hear the person next to you speaking. 

I have been on planes, taxi's , shuttle buses and trains. I have never been on a cruise ship but I have been on a boat. Being a service dog I have to be able to travel and be alert to my handlers condition. I have to work with many distractions. Traveling can be stressful but it can also be a adventure in its own. I am confident that I can be put in any situation and I can keep my ma safe. I am very good at my job. Ma thanks me for helping her get through the traveling part and she tells me she couldn't have done it without me. This makes me know that because of me, she can do things she would have never thought about doing. Sissy Sarah always travels with us but even she will tell you that because of my ability to alert ma of problems before they happen that she is feels more comfortable with traveling with ma. 

If you travel with a service dog my recommendations are:

• Carry your paperwork- may never need to show it but best to be safe. 
• Always wear identification. Vest are not required but it makes it easier
• Be prepared to be searched or swabbed.
• Practice sitting or laying in tight spaces before you fly
• Call airline directly to make reservations
• Call airlines 24 hours before flying to reconfirm 
• Make sure your dog can be handled by others 
• Carry medications for handler.
• Know your dog's limitations before flying. 
• Call hotel to confirm they know you are bringing your service animal
• Always pack a towel to protect car seats (taxi, bus )
• Be prepared to answer questions allowed by law 
• Be considerate of other travelers
• Obey all the rules 

Stay tuned for more information about Medical dogs! We will be co hosting a blog hop to help educated the public on knowing the differences of medical dogs. 

PlexiDor Dog Door To The Rescue!

I am so excited! We FINALLY got a PET DOOR! Ma has wanted one for a long time. You know what even makes it better? It’s a Plexidor Pet Door.

Why am I excited over a Plexidor door? It’s one that doesn’t have a flap but duel shatterproof doors. My ma says that it won't hurt are heating and cooling bills like leaving the back door open did. That was a plus with dad. 

I am part of the Blogpaws network They posted they needed bloggers to work with Plexidor in exchange the blogger would receive a free door, free installation along with being paid for the campaign, I jumped on it. I waited for the news whether I was chosen and when I got the news , I had to ask if it was true that I was selected. I was!

My door hasn't been installed yet but it will be soon. I wanted to practice with the door so I talked ma into taking it out of the box so I could see it. I really wanted to use it but she said she wasn't taking the plastic off of it yet. She was afraid she would misplace a part so she felt safer leaving it in the plastic until the door could be installed.Ma loses everything! 

I know this will help my ma. We will be able to go out without them being our personal door opener.I can open the door but I forget to close them. My ma has MS,sometimes she has to spend the day in bed because her legs don't work right. Now instead of us having to wait for dad or sissy Sarah to come home, we can go out by ourselves. This will be great for Jenny Sue too. She is 10 yrs old and she can't hold it as long as Scooby and I can. This door will stop birds from walking in the house like they have this summer. The part dad really liked was that the door could be locked when we are not at home or there are people working on the wires in the back yard. Ma liked the door plate you can easily put on for extra security reasons.

 I really like the idea that when I am outside being a porch poodle I don’t have to come in because ma wants to close the door.  

I will tell you more about it after it’s installed but I couldn't wait to share the news about my new door!

International Service Dog Week!

It's International Assistance Dog Week! What is IADW, you ask?
International Assistance Dog Week was created to celebrate all working dogs who help people live a normal life. 

While many people are familiar with Guide Dogs, those that assist people with vision loss, not as many people are aware of the other types of assistance dogs working today. Here is a description of the various types of assistance dogs:

Guide Dogs – Assist people with vision loss, leading these individuals around physical obstacles and to destinations such as seating, crossing streets, entering or exiting doorways, elevators and stairways.

Service Dogs – Assist people with disabilities with walking, balance, dressing, transferring from place to place, retrieving and carrying items, opening doors and drawers, pushing buttons, pulling wheelchairs and aiding with household chores, such as putting in and removing clothes from the washer and dryer.

Hearing Alert Dogs – Alert people with a hearing loss to the presence of specific sounds such as doorbells, telephones, crying babies, sirens, another person, buzzing timers or sensors, knocks at the door or smoke, fire and clock alarms.

Seizure Alert/Seizure Response Dogs – Alert or respond to medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, post-traumatic stress and seizures.

Medical Alert/Medical Response Dogs – Alert to oncoming medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, MS attacks and post traumatic stress disorder.

I am a Service Dog that takes my job seriously. I am a medical alert/ mobility dog. I am often asked how long it takes to train a service dog. My answer is you never stop training. You can teach them the basics of helping a human but as years go by, there are times when the humans health or condition changes. That is when the dog needs to learn more ways to be a assistant. 

Service dogs help a person to live a close as normal life. When approaching a service dog please do the following things:
1. Ask to pet - If they are like me, they may back away from your touch. Don't take this as a insult. It may be the dog is sensing something isn't right and doesn't need a distraction. 
2.Don't stare the dog in the eye-This breaks concentration. If you were taking a very important timed test and someone was staring at you the whole time , could you finish the test in appropriate time? 
3.Don't offer a treat-It's fine to offer a treat to the handler to give to the dog later but do not try to feed the treat to the dog without the handler's permission. 

These are my Personal rules:
1: Ask to pet me 1st. Don't put your hand in my face. I don't want to sniff your hand just like you don't want me sniffing your butt
2.Don't ask "Where can I buy a service dog?" There are times when my handler doesn't mind to suggest some sites or says that you need to speak with your doctor to see if you are qualified to have a service dog. 
3. Don't ask "Can you train my dog to be a service dog?" My handler is not a qualified trainer. Not all dogs are able to be service dogs. It takes a certain dog to be able to be trained in a way to make life better for the handler. Many of these dogs can be found in shelters also. 
I am not saying I am special but some dogs are better qualified then others.
4. Don't make barking or rude noises when I am working. I can't count on one paw the times I have had kids barking at me, running in front of me in stores , or poking my eye. 
5. If I back away from you before you pet me, don't take it as being rude. I am working. 
6. When I am at a restaurant and I am under a table, please don't let your child run up to my table and bother me. We always try to get a booth but there are times there is not one available. There is nothing worse than having a small child climbing under the table with me. I am resting while I wait for my handler to eat and I am not making a scene but your child is. 
7.When I am in a store please don't stop my handler and ask a 100 questions. We sometimes don't mind but there are times we just want to get what we came for and we want to leave. 

I Am A Service Dog

    My ma has MS and she has down days". These are days that ma can't really do anything but lay around. Her pain level goes really high and she can't do a lot of things.  Being that I am her medical alert/service dog, I stay with her continuously. I know when a pawrent doesn't feel well a faithful companion will stay by their side and lay with them the whole time. I go beyond that. I know before my ma does that she is going to be having her down days. I get very pushy with her. Some say I become a "bully". I insist that Ma lays down. I push her with my head or I will stand up on her and gently push her to the bedroom or to the nearest chair. When she is in her bed and she tries to get up I will lay across her legs. I know that she can't walk well by herself. When she needs to go to the bathroom , I go with her. She holds on to me while I lead her to the bathroom and then I have to brace my legs so that she can use me to push herself up and she will hold on to me while I lead her back to her bed. It's not a easy job but it is one that I have learned to do. I know the words  "Brace", "Pull" "get help" to name a few.