 | Home:Beaumont, TX, TX | [I have a diary!] |
Age: 1 Year Sex: Male Weight: 11-25 lbs
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Leave a bone for Reagan
Nicknames:
Shakin Bakin, Silly, Booger, Reaganator
Doggie Dynamics:
| | | | | | | | | Energy | | | | | | Intelligence | | | | | | Friendliness | | | | | | Playfulness | | | | | | Disposition | | | |
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Quick Bio:
Likes:
Snoozing, Eating, Being in laps
Pet-Peeves:
Anyone who's getting more attention than him
Favorite Toy:
Reagan doesn't like toys
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:
I had to put down my Great Pyrenees, Winston, who was going to be my service dog, because he was hit by a car when he was 9 months old. My mom had told me I could go as far as California to get a new dog. I knew I wanted a smaller dog, and after doing some research I found that Reagan's brother was a seizure dog, and that he was the last one in his litter looking for a home. My mom went and got him, and brought him home...the two of us have been inseparable ever since.
Bio:
Reagan is my psychiatric service dog (PSD). He goes everywhere with me, school, vacation, and shopping. (He's the best shopping companion because he doesn't tell me that I can't have something.) Reagan is a Godsend for me. I was so much a hermit before, and I always was erratic. I feel like a whole new person now. We're going to California for Christmas and planning on going to Washington, DC in February 201o to a political conference, I think that will be the biggest test for the both of us. We're going alone, for the first time on a plane, and to places completely unknown to the both of us. I'm excited and scared, but we'll have been together for a year, and I have full confidence that we'll both be ready!
Forums Motto:
Will be President One Day
The Groups I'm In:
service dogs, Service Dogs Group
I've Been On Dogster Since:
Dogster Id:
1051684
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See all my Pup Pals
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October 7th 2009 3:05 pm
[ Leave A Comment ]
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.
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