Birthday: November 20th 2007 Likes: Snoozing, Eating, Being in laps Pet-Peeves: Anyone who's getting more attention than me Favorite Toy: toys schmoys Favorite Food: ***WHEN HE GETS IT*** a bone (but that's rare) Favorite Walk: anywhere Best Tricks: open door (for a 15 pound dog, that's just impressive) Arrival Story: My mommy had to put down her Great Pyrenees, Winston, who was going to be her service dog, because he was hit by a car when he was 9 months old. Grandma had told Mommy that she could go as far as California to get a new dog. She knew she wanted a smaller dog, and after doing some research she found that my big brother was a seizure dog, and that I was the last one in my litter looking for a home. Grandma went and got me, and brought me home...the two of us have been inseparable ever since. Bio: I am my mommy's psychiatric service dog (PSD). I go everywhere with her: school, vacation, and shopping. (She says I'm the best shopping companion because I don't tell her that she can't have something.) She says that I am a Godsend for her. She was so much a hermit before, and always was erratic. I make her feel like a whole new person now. I'm going to make sure my mommy is the best at everything she does...even if I have to help by using my cuteness! Forums Motto: Makin' Everything Better! The Groups I'm In: service dogs, Service Dogs Group I've Been On Dogster Since:
My mommy goes to school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I've only been left home once this semester! My mommy is getting ever more so confident with me at her side. She feels better talking in classes and discussing things with strangers. And she's better at making friends. (How could people not wanna be friends with my mommy? Have you seen ME?) She's even considering getting an apartment with her friend (my FAVORITE person besides her) Kitti! Yay for mommy and me! (And Justice if I have to say so...)
Life with a service dog is never easy. I learned that from Delayna, and she taught me everything she know. I regret that, at times, I thought she was too defensive, but now I understand where she's coming from. And I'm completely glad she set certain examples for me.
Today, I went to an establishment with Reagan and a friend of mine, and we were ready to eat. But, sadly, they decided to attempt to refuse me service. My friend is new to the area, and I felt really awful that he had to see this, but I wasn't going to back down. I've had Reagan in public with me for over 6 months; people really need to accept him. Especially in my hometown. If they are doing this to me, today, who's to say they won't do it to someone who really CAN'T stand up for themselves with a service animal (i.e. someone who's autistic or brand new to the lifestyle). I'm not new anymore and found my voice.
I called the police. I was not going to be shot down in front of my friend and the rest of the establishment, especially when there are LAWS protecting me. When the police came out, neither of the officers have ever heard of a PSD, and they EDUCATED THEMSELVES en route to my call. Those officers understood my point of view and told me how to go about this, but then they went in and discussed the laws with the establishment. I want to thank those officers so much. They were wonderful and helped me when I needed it. It's amazing that they took the time to educate themselves on their PERSONAL laptop to understand what was going through. One of the officers had been in law enforcement for 23 years and had NEVER heard of psychiatric service dogs. I was thrilled that he took the time to understand and then told me that my interest in educating the public was a noble one.
I want to also thank Delayna so much. She gave me the drive. I've found a law school where you can specialize in animal law, consequently service animal law. I've decided that's my calling in life because, no matter how good the lawyer is, they can never TRULY understand the life of someone with a service animal until they've walked in their shoes.
