The Gawker, Stalker, & Other Scary Things

“Good evening…” Hey Goodee, I’m trying to blog here. Turn the TV down. “OK mom.”  What exactly are you watching?”  “Alfred Hitchcock Hour.”  “Goodee you are too young for that scary stuff, change the channel. .” “OK mom, … “Scary Good.”

“Goodee, not the Chiller Channel either.” “Ok Mom but this stuff is not nearly as scary as what I have to do everyday as a Service Dog.”

“Really Goodee, You think your job is that dangerous?” “Yes mom, remember the time that a parent pushed her toddler out right in front of me?.”

“Oh yes, that was scary.” “I remember the little girl suddenly appeared in front of us when we were walking down the hallway.”

“The young lady was right even with my nose mom.”

“Yes I know Goode this mom tells her toddler : “Don’t touch but go see the dog then pushing the little girl towards us.”

“I agree that was scary.”

“I still don’t know about letting you watch scary movies Goodee.”

“Well mom, then there was that time that a lady looked at the patches on my vest and still yelled “OH DOG” and began hugging me so hard I ran into you and we almost fell on top of each other.

“Oh yes Goodee, that was scary.

Your patch clearly says “WORKING DOG DO NOT TOUCH. –However, people still read it and touch, touch, touch away. “

“This is dangerous and scary mom so I am qualified to watch any scary TV show.” “They can’t scare me… I’m a Service Dog!.”

“Well, while we are talking about scary things Goodee, there was a little girl who followed us all over a store. She wanted to show you her toy. Suddenly she threw the large plastic ball in front of us.”

“Yes that’s right mom, it was I, Goodee the Service Dog who saw the situation and stopped you the human from tripping over the ball and falling to the floor.”

“Yes, Goodee I know you are an AMAZING Service Dog.”

“Yes mom sometimes I am really amazing like… 

The time a lady decided to give me a command to do something.  We were working together trying to balance so you could stand Out of the blue, this lady says… “Oh come doggie. I will throw this food down and I know your mom will tell you “leave it.”

“Oh yes Goodee, you are correct. That was AMAZING that you knew to ignore this lady. The human was just trying to be funny. She wants to pet and feed you everyday as we pass by.”

“Well yes, mom. I realize she wants to pet me and love me because I look like a normal dog but I’m not.”

“That’s right Goodee. It’s hard for me but,  I must be strict when people want to treat you like their pet.” “Some people are not use to being given strict rules.” However, in this case, the rules are necessary for safety.”

“OK Goodee I get it now.” “Maybe you can handle the things that go bump in the night on TV.”

“Well I have another story mom…”

“That’s ok Goodee pass me the remote the Horror District double feature sounds pretty tame.”

“OK mom but we should close the blog out with a few reminders.”

“Why don’t you do that Goodee?”

“OK here it goes..”

“The Reminders of Goodee the AMAZING Service Dog.”

1.     The Service Dog is a tool not a toy.

2.     The function of the Service Dog team is to provide safety for each other while engaged in real life, NOT to entertain you.

3.     Teaching children about Service Dogs is WONDERFUL. ---There is information on-line or you can talk to you children after they see a Service Dog team. ---However, Do not demand that a Service Dog team provide an automatic “Show N’ Tell” when you see them.

4.     If you see a Service Dog team and decide to talk to your children about them. —Remember the human is a PERSON not a condition… Avoid saying things such as “See the blind lady.” – In fact, the person doesn’t have to be blind to need a Service Dog. Furthermore, if they are blind they still deserve to be identified with something more than their condition.

5.     Like humans dogs don’t fit in one category and shouldn’t be identified with one label avoid the use of generalizations such as “seeing eye dog, “guide dog,” or “blind dog.” If you must explain things in simple terms, consider calling them a “helper dog.”

“OK that’s great Goodee, pass the popcorn and turn the volume up on the movie.”

We love to hear from people by email and Facebook. In person we often have to say:
"Not Now We Are Working."

DD & GOODEE

GoodeeWorks Productions

GoodeeWorks@gmail.com

DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 9) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. Lucy the ladradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.

Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:

Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:

angelservicedogs.com

http://angelservicedogs.com/donate/

Mark your payment “Training for Lucy”__________________________

Visit Facebook

For the love of Lucy/ Teddy’s Service Dog

The Front Line Employee In the Life of a Service Dog

You can’t have a dog in here.” … “ I can’t have your PET all over the place.” “Why do you need a dog for anyway?”  “ You can’t have a dog here unless you’re blind.—You are not blind, are you?”  “You have to go elsewhere with the dog.” “But.. There’s food here. NO DOGS.”  “We are glad to have your Service dog but there’s a deposit.”

“Mom why are you reviewing all our adventures?” “Oh hello Goodee the Service Dog.” “our friend Sue Kindred sent us some information on Service Dog Access. I was reviewing places we have been and the number of people who have told us Service Dogs are not allowed.”

“Gosh mom there’s lots of people who have told us Service Dogs are not allowed. Which is actually  silly because a Service Dog is just an extension of a person. The dog is a medical device. Employees would never think of telling a person they can’t have their eye glasses, or diabetic needles yet when are faced with a Service dog  they often say “NO DOGS! (and some are less polite than others)”.

Goodee the Service Dog is correct. We often encounter employees who are not familiar with Federal Laws requiring Service Dog Access.-- While the employee would have no problem making a decision when presented with other medical devices “The Dog” causes them hesitation. 

When Team Goodee is out and about we are often told by Managers and Owners that their employees “have been trained on Service Dog access” and “should have known the law.” The corporate attitude is: “Oh deal with it, so you got crappy customer service.” However, Service Dog Access is more than just a component of customer service. Denying Service Dog Access is against Federal Law and carries monetary penalties.

Sue Kindred provides the basics of Service Dog Access:

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) is the federal law that allows people with service dogs to go wherever the public is generally allowed to be.  So, while service dogs are allowed in restaurants, they’re not allowed in the kitchen.  And in the grocery store they’re not allowed behind the seafood counter. 

The ADA also provides business owners with a blueprint of their responsibilities toward service dogs and their handlers.  It tells them, for example, that they can ask 1) Is that a service dog?; and 2) what tasks does it perform for you?  They cannot ask, “Hey, why do you need a dog anyway?” or “What’s wrong with you that you need a dog?” And, they certainly cannot say “Hey, no dogs in here.” Nor are they allowed to ask for “papers” for the dog or treat a  person differently than other customers just because they have a Service Dog.

Did you know that the ADA trumps the mandates of food inspectors who tell business owners they are not allowed to have dogs on the premises?  While they may not allow pets …  they MUST allow service dogs.  And, in some states, that includes not just handers, but service dog trainers as well (they have to get trained somehow!!).

So, businesses that serve the public, including restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, airlines, sports and concert arenas, must always allow you and your service dog to enter, purchase goods and services at the same price as others and generally not be discriminated against.

Service Dog discrimination should be reported to the local police or the Department of Justice ADA Information line at 800-514-0301. 

DD & Service Dog Goodee wish to welcome Sue Kindred and thank her for helping us with our blog.  

Sue Kindred is President and Chief Navigator for Service Dog 411.  Formerly the Executive Director of an international service dog organization, Sue Kindred understands service dog placement and training from both the perspective of the family as well as that of the provider. She is a writer, educator, and speaker. She is also an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities that are not readily apparent to others as well as improving the public’s understanding about how a service dog can increase independence and enhance quality of lives. 

RESOURCES &  REFERENCES

Service Dog 411

Service Dog information for persons looking for a Service Dog and resources for Service Dog owners.

http://www.servicedog411.com/

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Hotline

800 - 514 - 0301 (voice) or 800 - 514 - 0383 (TTY)

Service Dog Access

http://www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm

The life-changing effects of a Service Dog

“Until Tuesday “: a Wounded Warrior & the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him
A New York Times Best Seller by Former Capt. Luis Carlos Montalván. with Bret Witter

http://until-tuesday.com/author.html

Allergy Alert- “peanut dog”

http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-peanutsniffing-dog-more-than-mans-best-friend-for-aberdeen-sd-boy-20110709,0,4782833.story

Autism Service Dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r6grI-qO3M

Service Dogs  & Invisible Disabilities

http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/educate/serviceanimals/morethanjustapet/

Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities

Mitigation of mental impairments through the use of a Service Dog

http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html

Things people say to Service Dog Handlers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSn9WO1FCb0

We list these resources to educate.  We welcome feedback by email. When you see us out and about we often must say, “Not Now We Are Working!”

DD & GOODEE

GoodeeWorks Productions

GoodeeWorks@gmail.com
 

DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 9) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. Lucy the labradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.

Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:

Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:

angelservicedogs.com

http://angelservicedogs.com/donate/

Mark your payment “Training for Lucy”__________________________

Visit Facebook

For the love of Lucy/ Teddy’s Service Dog

Distractions In the Life of a Service Dog

Child safety. It is a huge responsibility for parents. When a child goes out into the world parents trust schools, organizations, even manufactures with the safety of their children.

Everyone who reads this blog (even individuals who are not parents) can probably identify with the importance of child safety.  Child-guard containers, warning labels, crossing signs: from morning until night society recognizes the importance of child safety. We know what is necessary to keep children safe.

 Now consider something with which you may not be familiar--- The life of a disabled person and their Service Dog (AKA: “assistance dog” or “helper dog”)---

The dog looks just like the cute companion animal people call a “pet.”  However, in reality the dog is not a toy but a highly trained tool to assist the disabled person with their needs.  The dog is a caretaker and may have to work on a 24-hour basis.  Unlike children the person who needs a Service Dog does not “grow up” or “out “of their need for help and protection.  The responsibility of a Service Dog extends for years.

“Don’t forget to tell them not all Service Dogs are alike. “Oh yes,” thank you Goodee the Service Dog for reminding me. “It’s just one of my jobs mom.”

“You provide reminders Goodee?” “But… You are a dog.” 

“Yes mom but I am still trained to tell you things such as  “the curb is broken or too high,"  ”take your medicine”, or “lay down.” “ You are right Goodee that is one of your Service Dog tasks, and it’s probably not something people notice when they see us.”

As Goodee the Service Dog pointed out, every situation is different.  It is difficult to know when a dog is a “working dog” because there is no universal uniform. The Service Dog gear must vary depending upon their job.

“But mom, it would help if people would recognize the signs they are given.”

“Right again Goodee the Service Dog.”  “Some people completely disregard signs or verbal instructions they are given by the Service Dog Handler.”

“Our survey confirms that mom.”

“Thanks for the reminder Goodee,”

Team Goodee did an informal survey using social media.  Participants said people disregard signs saying, “DO NOT TOUCH” or “ASK BEFORE TOUCHING” over half the time.”

     Perhaps people don’t realize the importance of leaving the Service Dog to their task I’m sure there are some who always disobey signs for example, the young lady who poked Goodee the Service Dog right in the face saying:  “I know your not suppose to touch the Service Dogs but I always do!”

“Mom we have a whole list of distractions our friends helped us put together. Let’s get it out and provide some examples“

Good idea Goodee. Not touching a Service Dog is a good first step but there are other things that can cause a disturbance.

“Ok one week on Facebook, Three Service Dog Community Lists surveyed and our top six answers are included with examples.”

“Good introduction Goodee. All the replies we got fit into one of six categories. Some have more than one example so our readers can understand the many distractions Service Dog teams encounter every day.

1. LOUD SIDE CONVERSATION/ NOISE

Example: DOG! or DAWG!  AWE HOW CUTE, WOOF

If you notice a Service Dog please do so quietly

2. THROWING YOURSELF AT THE SERVICE DOG TEAM

Example: Insisting upon talking to the Service Dog or their handler

The Service Dog Handler is a person just like you who may not have time to stop and make conversation with a total stranger. - Try offering your contact information if you want to talk to them later but don’t talk to the handler or the dog unless you are invited to do so.

Example: Talking over the Service Dog Handler or interrupting the Service Dog Handler. Team Goodee often has individuals come up and start talking while we are on the phone or completing purchases. These disruptions create a “circus” for the Service Dog Team and many around them who are trying to transact business.

3. ACCESS DENIED

Example: Telling a person they can’t have their dog in the area when they are specifically allowed to do so by law.

 Team Goodee has encountered this awful distraction at airlines, hotels, and eating establishments. When a Service Dog Team has to deal with discrimination day after day it becomes a form of mental anguish. Life would be much easier if everyone just knew and followed the law.

4. DIRECT INTERFERENCE WITH A SERVICE DOG

Example: Giving the Service Dog directions or corrections.

Every Service Dog Team has their own methods. What seems like strange behavior can be a signal to the handler. Don’t provide any corrections to the Service Dog or advice to the handler.

Example: Being too close to the Service Dog Team

Even if you think it’s helpful, being close to the dog may hinder the Service Dog Team.  The dog is often trained to find a way around obstacles (including humans).

5. UNNECESSARY MOVEMENT

Example: Waving  hands or placing hands in front of the dog in an effort to capture the dog’s attention. The Service Dog is ALWAYS WORKING and shouldn’t respond to you so don’t continually insist upon attention from them. Remember, the Service Dog is a tool for the service dog handler not a toy for your entertainment.

6. THIRD PERSON INVISIBLE TREATMENT

Example: Talking about the Service Dog Handler like they are not there.

One day Team Goodee went into the drug store to  look for pain reliever. We went to the counter for assistance. The clerk picked up two boxes looked past us to a stranger and said “Which of these does she need?”  Don’t make assumptions. Service Dog handlers are able to conduct their own business and deserve respect.

Example: Talking to the dog but not the handler

Some people need glasses to see.  Do we say “We don’t see you as an individual without glasses?”  “Do we jump up and down when we see their glasses?   Do we grab at people’s glasses even when we are asked not to do so? No in all cases we recognize the glasses are a necessary tool to assist the person with sight function.

Why can’t people recognize the Service Dog as a device that is just an extension of the human handler?

“Wow mom we have given people a lot to think about. Yes Goodee I think it’s time we sign off with some references.

RESOURCES &  REFERENCES

Service Dog 411

Service Dog information for persons looking for a Service Dog and resources for Service Dog owners.

http://www.servicedog411.com/

U.S. Department of Justice ADA Hotline

800 - 514 - 0301 (voice) or 800 - 514 - 0383 (TTY)

Service Dog Access

http://www.ada.gov/svcanimb.htm

The life-changing effects of a Service Dog

“Until Tuesday “: a Wounded Warrior & the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him
A New York Times Best Seller by Former Capt. Luis Carlos Montalván. with Bret Witter

http://until-tuesday.com/author.html

Allergy Alert- “peanut dog”

http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-peanutsniffing-dog-more-than-mans-best-friend-for-aberdeen-sd-boy-20110709,0,4782833.story

Autism Service Dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r6grI-qO3M

Service Dogs  & Invisible Disabilities

http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/educate/serviceanimals/morethanjustapet/

Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities

Mitigation of mental impairments through the use of a Service Dog

http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html

Things people say to Service Dog Handlers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSn9WO1FCb0

We list these resources to educate.  We welcome feedback by email. When you see us out and about we often must say, “Not Now We Are Working!”

DD & GOODEE

GoodeeWorks Productions

GoodeeWorks@gmail.com
 

DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 9) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. Lucy the labradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.

Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:

Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:

angelservicedogs.com

http://angelservicedogs.com/donate/

Mark your payment “Training for Lucy”__________________________

Visit Facebook

For the love of Lucy/ Teddy’s Service Dog

No conversation Please! Life with the Service Dog During the Migraine for H*

     For Goodee the Service Dog -- The most popular question (aside from “May I pet the dog?”) is: “What does she do for you?” I try to have her resume on my tongue but my brain doesn’t always engage. This question often comes from shopkeepers or friends who think somehow they can stand in place of the dog and give her time off.

     It is nice to have the offer of help.  However, humans never take the place of a Service Dog--.  A human is seldom able to prevent a fall and almost never correctly predicts, a seizure, migraine headache. or the presence of allergians  in trace amounts.

“Yep and sometimes humans just get in the way.” Hello Goodee the Service Dog welcome to the blog. I know I can count on your opinion.”

“You mean my expertise mom.” “Expertise?” “Goodee, you mean you’re an expert on something?”

“Yes mom I may look like just a dog people call a pet but actually I am an expert.”

“An expert on what Goodee?” “Mom you are the one who goes to school but you are clueless sometimes."

“Well educate me Goodee” On what subjects are you an expert?”

“Mom do you always know when your hips are so tight you need to sit?”

“Well yes I know that Goodee because you take my wrist and lead me to a chair.”

 “Do you know when a migraine is close at hand due to stress, pollen, or food allergy?”

“Well I do Goodee because you tell me by putting you head on my knee”

“OK I get it Goodee.” “Do you consider yourself an expert on me and my needs”?

“Yes, mom I do.” 

“I think you are right Goodee.” “You know what I need before I do.”

  “Well that’s why it’s important for people to remember a Service Dog is always working.  The  human and the Service Dog need their own private space.”--- About 6 ft whenever possible and silence is sometimes nice.

“Ok Goodee let’s give our friends a few examples so they will understand exactly what we mean.”

“Let’s see mom there was one time we were shopping…

Just Trying to Get Through the Day

       It was early spring and the pollen swirled around us. Team Goodee was making one last stop for the day. Goodee the service dog ran ahead to activate the doors. We entered the Mega shopping establishment with our mission in mind:  cat food,-- don’t come home without it!  The noise of the door seemed exceptionally loud, the cool air hit my face. Goodee the Service Dog stopped and put her head against my knee her signal to me that she knows I am experiencing a migraine headache.   Pain hit my head and it became apparent that I needed to find cool water and change my head position soon. “No problem,” I thought, we both know what we need to do. Goodee headed to the water fountain as if on autopilot we stop here weekly so she has an internal GPS for sources of help.

“Mom don’t forget to tell them what happened on the way."

 “Do you mean what happened before we were able to get to the water?”

“Yes mom, this kind couple wanted to stop and chat they asked you about my resume--- my name, my date of birth, what I did and how long I had done it.”

 “Well Goodee I think they were just being friendly. I think they thought their conversation helped us. “

 “They probably didn’t mean to cause us a problem but it did.”

“My job is to keep you from harm when you are sick. When people stand in front of us continually talking they become an obstacle and I will try to get around them. “

“Then there was another time we were at the chiropractor…”

Just Trying to Get Help To Be Pain Free

     My MBA Thesis deadline was just hours away. Final revisions required  “all nighters.” I got two-hours sleep I awoke from a night terror with the feeling of a tight band around my head. “Oh well", I thought, "good thing I have time to get to the chiropractor today before my paper is due.”

     Goodee the Service Dog stayed close by me, her head on my knee.  Again, this is her signal that a migraine headache is coming soon. I tried to disregard her urging --A" migraine just didn’t fit into the schedule today," I thought  --I was sure the pain I had was just muscle strain. However, I did put on sunglasses just in case.

     Team Goodee arrived at the chiropractor’s office. As we sat down a total stranger smiled our direction. We tried to smile back. The stranger stared continually first at the human then at the Service Dog portion of “Team Goodee.”

     “Dog Park”---  “What”? (I thought to myself as I looked at Goodee). “We need a dog park don’t you think… I think so I was telling my friend the other day… oh by the way the friend has a dog that looks just like yours and I want one but my husband is always saying… well you know…”

     The stranger continued to go on and on.-- Her voice got louder and louder in my head. Just then another person in the office opened a magazine and the noise seem to pound me right in the middle of the eyes.

 “Oh no, I thought”  “This is really a migraine.” --- I looked at Goodee the Service Dog. She rolled her eyes at me as if to say, “I told you so.” 

     Even when I refuse to believe her I can always count on Goodee the Service Dog to take care of me during a migraine.

     The stranger who had tried to talk to us had now found someone else to chat with about the dog park.

 “WONDERFUL!” I thought… we can just close our eyes and feel better.

     A glass breaking sensation began on the inside of my head. —This is the usual paten of my migraine attacks.  It feels like someone is throwing a large crystal wine glass across the inside of my head. The glass pours down the inside of my head and feels like it produces razor sharp cuts all the way down as it falls from the top of my head to the base of my skull.

     I felt Goodee the Service Dog as her teeth clinched my wrist. She realized the room was starting  to spin for me and was attempting to get me where I could lay down.

     I slid down out of the chair. I sat on the floor next to Goodee so she could see I was level. I put my head over on  to her and put my arms around her neck. When everything else is not level for me it helps to use Goodee as a point of reference.

I kept my eyes closed focusing on Goodee and the fact that we were still.

     “Doggie’s name?” (“What?” I thought to myself keeping my eyes closed.) This time I recognized the loud voice as that of the original stranger. ---

“If only I can reply then the stranger will leave me alone, I thought.”

“Goodee,” I replied weakly.

 “What?” The stranger replied in an even louder voice.

I pushed my weight over on to Goodee and we got up off the floor.

“Goodee” I replied one last time.

     After hundreds of these stranger encounters I have learned not to try and explain why I can’t talk right now. --- Any explanation or begging to be left alone usually results in a look of entitlement from the stranger as if I have refused them a toy or ruined their day.---

.

     So Team Goodee just exited the building and found private space outside. The Texas sun was hot  but it was a better environment for us than having to play the endless question game.—which Team Goodee has nicknamed “Show & Tell.”

         I usually enjoy talking with people but not when I’m sick.

      I find myself wondering if the stranger would have shown me any attention without Goodee the Service Dog in the mix?

Can this person not see that I don’t feel well?

 In context, do people not realize others  in a doctor’s office are usually in pain and therefore don’t want to talk to strangers?

Is there an unwritten rule some place that says all Service Dog people have to be “on” and in “happy mode” 24/7?

“Well mom let’s leave our friends with some ideas of what they can do to help Service Dogs and their handlers.”

“Good idea Goodee our Facebook friend MO says if people want to ask a question they should consider leaving their email address and asking her to write sometime. That way the Service Dog Team can reply when they have time. That's a great idea.

“ Now, Let’s list more resources Goodee in case our friends need information about Service Dogs.”

Resources

Allergy Alert- “peanut dog”

http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-peanutsniffing-dog-more-than-mans-best-friend-for-aberdeen-sd-boy-20110709,0,4782833.story

Autism Service Dog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r6grI-qO3M

Service Dog 411

Service Dog Information for persons looking for a Service Dog and resources for Service Dog owners.

http://www.servicedog411.com/

Service Dogs  & Invisible Disabilities

http://www.invisibledisabilities.org/educate/serviceanimals/morethanjustapet/

Service Dog Tasks for Psychiatric Disabilities

Mitigation of mental impairments through the use of a Service Dog

http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html

Things people say to Service Dog Handlers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSn9WO1FCb0

We list these resources to educate.  We welcome feedback by email. When you see us out and about we often must say “Not Now We Are Working!”

DD & GOODEE

GoodeeWorks Productions

GoodeeWorks@gmail.com

DD & GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 9) suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. Lucy the labradoodle is currently in training to keep Teddy away from harm and carry his needed medical supplies.

Service Dog training is expensive. Your support is appreciated:

Donations can be made directly to Angel Service Dogs:

angelservicedogs.com

http://angelservicedogs.com/donate/

Mark your payment “Training for Lucy”__________________________

Visit Facebook

For the love of Lucy/ Teddy’s Service Dog