Service Dog Archives - Page 5 of 13

September 6, 2013

Tommy or Fred?

When I venture out, either Sir Thomas steps along by my side or Fred is with me. But not both. Why not? Who’s Fred, and why don’t they get along? It’s a bit like apples/oranges comparison if apples sported four paws and oranges rolled about on two wheels. Years ago, my son dubbed the new triple bicycle Fred. We’ve carried a heavy load traveling with Fred and Bob (name of trailer hitched to the back of Fred). None of the luggage ever weighed in at 125 pounds, however. If I could figure out how to bring Tommy out with Fred, I would. Especially as Team Mama rides for Team Fox at the annual New England Parkinson’s Ride. Proceeds go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to fund research for treatments and ultimately a cure for Parkinson’s. Who better to join Team Mama and their faithful support than the gentle giant who supports me everywhere […]

September 11, 2013

Service Dogs and Parkinson’s at WPC 2013

If you’re curious about life with a Service Dog while living a life with PD, stop by the Round Table discussion at the World Parkinson Congress on Thursday afternoon, 3:30 – 5:00 at Table 9. Looking forward to co-hosting the discussion with Carolyn Weaver. See you in Montreal!

September 17, 2013

Mad About Service Dogs

My Parkinson’s diagnosis has thrown – heaved – perspective on my views of daily life. The irk-factor is one example. Degenerative disease, here: it takes more than a movie talker or airplane seat kicker to set me off. When I do get annoyed, I clench. Jaw, fists, eyelids. It doesn’t happen often and when it does the yogi in me tries to breathe through it, let it go, talk it out. On occasion, I yell. If annoyed moves into crazy-angry mode, I curl into a fetal position and cry. It takes something monstrous from daily life to get me there. Remember: Degenerative disease here. Incurable. Well, I encountered my first service dog fake. Not only is it a challenge to type with my fingers curled, it’s hard to see the screen though this blur of tears. I knew about them, heard stories. They clip a service dog vest purchased online […]

October 13, 2013

Turning Heads in Montreal

Of the 3,300+ delegates attending the 2013 World Parkinson Congress, 2,300+ were dog lovers. Sir Thomas turned heads along the cobbled streets downtown as well as on the carpeted stretches between presentations at the conference center. Cameras flashed, comments flew in more than one language: Mon Dieux! C’est un cheval! Does he have a saddle? The paparazzi aside, people also stopped us not just to ask what breed and whether I rode him to the conference, but what service he provided. I was among others whose balance is challenged and their curiosity sprang from experience. Many came to the Round Table I co-hosted on Service Dogs – for anyone who missed it, the presentation slides can be downloaded here.(Special thanks to Carolyn Weaver — and Selma — for sharing their expertise.) The yoga sessions were well attended and the creativity panel was fun. The poster sessions drew a crowd – those, too, can be […]

November 4, 2013

Health Care Provider

Sir Thomas’ four long, stable legs add a healthy counter to my quirky two. Out and about in public, we dance a step as we navigate errands or a stop at the local bakery (why bake when there’s a nearby bakery?). The care Tommy provides at home is also a big (pun intended) help. For anyone who hasn’t witnessed a kitchen waltz or living room rumba with a Dane, here is Sir Thomas In action: IMG_0038.mov IMG_0022.mov

November 14, 2013

I’m Awake. Are You?

Before glancing at the clock, I feel a frown forming across my face. Once again, I’m awake at that nebulous hour of 4:00 am, when it’s no longer the middle of the night. Nor is it morning. It’s close, but even on the longest of June days, robins would still be only dreaming of worms. Whether the culprit is hormones or Parkinson’s – or a wicked conspiracy between the two – I am gazing at the bed, not lying in it. My trusty service dog snores from on his bed. To his credit, he opened one eye when I rose. I fluffed his fleece blanket and gave him a pat. No point in both of us being up. My thoughts seek solace. ‘At least I slept some,’ they begin. ‘I can nap later today.’ The most comforting of these is when I consider that someone else living with PD is […]

November 17, 2013

US Air and Service Dogs

Air travel poses innumerable challenges even to the least physically challenged among us. When Sir Thomas and I fly, we add four giant legs to the already crammed space called Leg Room (which is tight with my two legs). Delays, angst, discomfort all add to the stress of flying. So it’s safe to say that stress was on board the USAir flight that is in the news regarding the blind passenger and his service dog. Blind-man-with-service-dog causes one to, well, look. Whether it’s blindness, chronic disease, birth defect, mental illness, baggage or botched surgery, we’re all dealing with something that places us just this side of normal. My ‘something’ happens to show in the way I walk. Add a handsome, four-legged cane to the scene and we, well, we make for quite a scene. People look. They watch, comment: “Beautiful dog” or “What’s he do?” or “Are you training him?” […]

December 29, 2013

State Your Intention

More Travels with Tommy After I noted all the must-see’s in the travel guide, I made an inventory of might-be trip challenges ahead. I admit I was concerned about flying (always interesting, particularly with a giant dog) to the Caribbean (my first time!) to spend Christmas (BIG holiday with potentially big stresses) with family. My intention was to keep the challenges of travel – particularly with a service dog – to a minimum. With this in mind, I set out to be organized and prepared. I kept a folder of island highlights as well as do-not-forget scribbles (sunscreen! dog food for the plane!). I also adorned Tommy’s vest with another Do Not Pet badge and tucked and a copy of his rabies certificate in the side pocket. With a focus on minimizing distractions, I planned and predicted. I was ready with my Here’s-how-you-can-tell-when-he’s-working talk for the dog-loving relatives we were […]

January 4, 2014

Snow Day

It’s not all work for a service dog.

March 31, 2014

Harness that Energy

In addition to his continuing role as Service Dog, Sir Thomas prances and practically rolls over in the role of Mentor. Sometimes a service dog in training comes for a sleepover. Often times, the visitor is still a youngster who chews through Sir T’s toys, nudges him off his favorite bed and occasionally does the unthinkable: piddles on the carpet. But Thomas maintains his dignity. Until then two head out into the yard. Then Tommy gets to step a paw back into puppyhood. . It’s a win-win. The real pup gets the opportunity to experience life in a house with a family, sometimes other four-footed creatures, and, yes, carpets. The grown-up dog gets to romp and act like a big kid. Until they harness up. Thomas greets his vest with a wag as he dips his head for me to slip it on. The pups still need convincing that a vest is A) Not a toy […]