Comments on: Guest Post: Puppies and Pills Part 1 http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/ FWD (feminists with disabilities) for a way forward Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:29:21 +0000 hourly 1 By: thetroubleis http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-4013 thetroubleis Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:14:25 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-4013 I don't mind answering. Figaro is still a normal dog most of the time. he works becuase he loves and respects me, not out fear or anything. He actaully wrestling with my mom's pomeraion right now, so yes having other pets generally isn't an issue, but some orgnaiszations won't give you a dog if you have other pets, or very young puppies. As For pictures he actaully has a dogster page at http://www.dogster.com/dogs/931236. He's still a dog and I make sure he has plenty of down time to do doggy things. We also have a can that he likes to harass, but he isn't allowed to treat any other cats that way. Shadow, our cat, is not pleased by Figaro's attempts to play with him. I'm stricter with Figaro than I was with our old pet dog. With her, I'd feed her while I ate and such, but that isn't something I do with Figaro, becuase begging isn't something I want to encourage. So basically, although he's not allowed to do a lot of things in public, he still gets pets and treats when he does something well, or in a distracting situation. Once he's a little older and not so in love with other people, we might try having a visit command. He turned 1 on the 27th, so we might try soon, with a few select people. I don’t mind answering. Figaro is still a normal dog most of the time. he works becuase he loves and respects me, not out fear or anything.

He actaully wrestling with my mom’s pomeraion right now, so yes having other pets generally isn’t an issue, but some orgnaiszations won’t give you a dog if you have other pets, or very young puppies.

As For pictures he actaully has a dogster page at http://www.dogster.com/dogs/931236.

He’s still a dog and I make sure he has plenty of down time to do doggy things. We also have a can that he likes to harass, but he isn’t allowed to treat any other cats that way. Shadow, our cat, is not pleased by Figaro’s attempts to play with him.

I’m stricter with Figaro than I was with our old pet dog. With her, I’d feed her while I ate and such, but that isn’t something I do with Figaro, becuase begging isn’t something I want to encourage.

So basically, although he’s not allowed to do a lot of things in public, he still gets pets and treats when he does something well, or in a distracting situation. Once he’s a little older and not so in love with other people, we might try having a visit command. He turned 1 on the 27th, so we might try soon, with a few select people.

]]> By: Kaitlyn http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-4000 Kaitlyn Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:59:13 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-4000 McFly - my privilege (I don't *need* my baby girl) is showing - are the rules as strict for other helper animals? Or are they stricter? thetroubleis - I still see no pictures! I bet it's a robot dog. /silly Are your interactions different with Figaro than they would be with any other dog? Are you two allowed to play together, or would that hurt your authority? Does he still get to do doggy things when he's not taking care of you, like harass squirrels and birds, or was ignoring those evil things part of his training? (We have had birds dive bomb our dogs and take their hair for their nests and squirrels who threw things at both human and dog.) Could someone have a pet (any animal) and a service animal in the same house? Eek, that's a lot of questions. My brain is tired and I'm depressed and curious and I miss my babies. (Mom is taking Mikey to the vet to get shaved this week - it's bound to be hilarious, and I'll miss it.) If you don't want to answer them, that's ok. When I'm procrastinating later on this week, I'll probably find some of the answers. I was actually asking because I thought maybe the lack of pictures is because you don't want/you're not allowed to treat him like a "regular" dog and thus don't have albums and albums of silly doc pics. Or even "noble" ones. McFly – my privilege (I don’t *need* my baby girl) is showing – are the rules as strict for other helper animals? Or are they stricter?

thetroubleis – I still see no pictures! I bet it’s a robot dog. /silly

Are your interactions different with Figaro than they would be with any other dog? Are you two allowed to play together, or would that hurt your authority? Does he still get to do doggy things when he’s not taking care of you, like harass squirrels and birds, or was ignoring those evil things part of his training? (We have had birds dive bomb our dogs and take their hair for their nests and squirrels who threw things at both human and dog.) Could someone have a pet (any animal) and a service animal in the same house?

Eek, that’s a lot of questions. My brain is tired and I’m depressed and curious and I miss my babies. (Mom is taking Mikey to the vet to get shaved this week – it’s bound to be hilarious, and I’ll miss it.)

If you don’t want to answer them, that’s ok. When I’m procrastinating later on this week, I’ll probably find some of the answers.

I was actually asking because I thought maybe the lack of pictures is because you don’t want/you’re not allowed to treat him like a “regular” dog and thus don’t have albums and albums of silly doc pics. Or even “noble” ones.

]]> By: shelly http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3996 shelly Tue, 01 Dec 2009 02:44:03 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3996 As far as dogs goes, those are remarkable. As far as dogs goes, those are remarkable.

]]> By: thetroubleis http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3797 thetroubleis Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:22:11 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3797 McFly, that really, really blows. I understand why Canada's service dog laws are stricter, but they way they are in some places really seems to be hurting PWD, at least from what I've heard from your story and and the stories of others. McFly, that really, really blows. I understand why Canada’s service dog laws are stricter, but they way they are in some places really seems to be hurting PWD, at least from what I’ve heard from your story and and the stories of others.

]]> By: Mcfly http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3691 Mcfly Fri, 27 Nov 2009 07:19:14 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3691 @thetroubleis, thanks. :) There's a new law in my province that allows service dogs (like, at all - used to be only guide dogs were recognized) as long as they're officially certified, but the only organizations around here that can certify dogs won't allow owner-trained dogs to be tested; just the ones they breed in their programs. I can't afford $15,000 for another dog, and I definitely don't want or need another dog that's big and sheds. (They only breed Labs and Retrievers.) @thetroubleis, thanks. :) There’s a new law in my province that allows service dogs (like, at all – used to be only guide dogs were recognized) as long as they’re officially certified, but the only organizations around here that can certify dogs won’t allow owner-trained dogs to be tested; just the ones they breed in their programs. I can’t afford $15,000 for another dog, and I definitely don’t want or need another dog that’s big and sheds. (They only breed Labs and Retrievers.)

]]> By: thetroubleis http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3371 thetroubleis Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:06:19 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3371 Melissa, thank you so much for commenting. I really, I recommend anyone looking into a service dog to read her blog. @Dana, yeah, I was... not happy about that to say the least. @Mcfly, I'm so sorry to hear that. I know Canadian service dog laws are much more strict then the USA's laws, but I thought you could get a certified program to test your dog? I hope you are able to figure something out. @Vassilissa, International Association of Assistance Dog Partners also has some great information. Their website is at http://www.iaadp.org/. So, anyway, I'm sorry about taking so long to reply, my computer broke and I've had to borrow my parents' computer. .-= thetroubleis´s last blog ..<a href="http://thetroubleisme.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/i-am-mine/" rel="nofollow">I am mine.</a> =-. Melissa, thank you so much for commenting. I really, I recommend anyone looking into a service dog to read her blog.

@Dana, yeah, I was… not happy about that to say the least.

@Mcfly, I’m so sorry to hear that. I know Canadian service dog laws are much more strict then the USA’s laws, but I thought you could get a certified program to test your dog? I hope you are able to figure something out.

@Vassilissa, International Association of
Assistance Dog Partners also has some great information. Their website is at http://www.iaadp.org/.

So, anyway, I’m sorry about taking so long to reply, my computer broke and I’ve had to borrow my parents’ computer.
.-= thetroubleis´s last blog ..I am mine. =-.

]]> By: Melissa Mitchell http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3333 Melissa Mitchell Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:48:12 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3333 Yes, people with psychiatric disabilities can and do benefit from service animals. If applying to a program some of the things they will want to know: -How long have you lived with you particular dx? -What coping mechanisms have you developed? -How long have you been stable on your current therapy and or med regimen? -When was the last time you were hospitalized? The service dog community is under a lot of scrutiny these days because many people are choosing to bring animals in public that do not have the necessary training or temperament to be working in public spaces. Service dogs should make a person with disabilities life easier; if you look in to it and find it would add more difficulties than it would solve it is probably not the right time to partner with a service animal. Yes, people with psychiatric disabilities can and do benefit from service animals. If applying to a program some of the things they will want to know:
-How long have you lived with you particular dx?
-What coping mechanisms have you developed?
-How long have you been stable on your current therapy and or med regimen?
-When was the last time you were hospitalized?
The service dog community is under a lot of scrutiny these days because many people are choosing to bring animals in public that do not have the necessary training or temperament to be working in public spaces. Service dogs should make a person with disabilities life easier; if you look in to it and find it would add more difficulties than it would solve it is probably not the right time to partner with a service animal.

]]> By: Mcfly http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3313 Mcfly Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:19:46 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3313 Awesome post! I know (well, e-know) Veronica on Dogster too. :D I would love to have my service dog officially recognized as such, but the laws in Canada are pretty restrictive. Even though my Poodle mix is trained to perform many tasks that aid me with my disability and on my very bad days I absolutely cannot function without him, the government will not recognize him as anything but a pet. :( Awesome post! I know (well, e-know) Veronica on Dogster too. :D I would love to have my service dog officially recognized as such, but the laws in Canada are pretty restrictive. Even though my Poodle mix is trained to perform many tasks that aid me with my disability and on my very bad days I absolutely cannot function without him, the government will not recognize him as anything but a pet. :(

]]> By: Dana http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3306 Dana Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:10:22 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3306 Wow, that is amazing. I had no idea there were service dogs for psychiatric conditions - and I am stunned your dog has been able to help you in such a concrete way. That is beyond wonderful. As for this: “In fact, the new regulations state explicitly that airlines are prohibited from requiring documentation from any disabled Service Dog handler, unless the individual has a mental health disability or is otherwise not credible.” What?! It's explicitly stated that a mental health disability is equivalent to not being credible. How is that not blatant discrimination? I just can't believe it. I don't think my opinion will be taken into consideration as a New Zealander though. Wow, that is amazing. I had no idea there were service dogs for psychiatric conditions – and I am stunned your dog has been able to help you in such a concrete way. That is beyond wonderful.

As for this:

“In fact, the new regulations state explicitly that airlines are prohibited from requiring documentation from any disabled Service Dog handler, unless the individual has a mental health disability or is otherwise not credible.”

What?! It’s explicitly stated that a mental health disability is equivalent to not being credible. How is that not blatant discrimination? I just can’t believe it.

I don’t think my opinion will be taken into consideration as a New Zealander though.

]]> By: Vassilissa http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/23/guest-post-puppies-and-pills-part-1/#comment-3292 Vassilissa Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:34:56 +0000 http://disabledfeminists.com/?p=1487#comment-3292 Thank you for your post. I don't think a service dog would help me with my mental illness, but I have a friend with severe depression who has talked many times about how much she wishes she could bring her cat to work. Well, she still can't bring her cat to work, but I'm going to raise the possibility of psychiatric service dogs with her, because I think it would really help her. Thank you for your post. I don’t think a service dog would help me with my mental illness, but I have a friend with severe depression who has talked many times about how much she wishes she could bring her cat to work. Well, she still can’t bring her cat to work, but I’m going to raise the possibility of psychiatric service dogs with her, because I think it would really help her.

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