“Most people just don’t know how important it is just to
give the working dog and handler their own space.
“You are right
Goodee. Service/ Assistance Dogs are always working and it’s important that they
not be touched unless you are given specific instructions to do so. It’s also
important to not detract the service dog by calling their name or making other
noises. In short: Act like the dog is a cane or walker—The device is there but
you shouldn’t touch it or do anything to it, and you shouldn’t ask a person why
they have it that’s far too personal.
Here’s an example to help you understand the life of a
Service Dog Team:
Imagine for a moment that you are talking on a cell phone
and it’s the most important call you have ever had, one that requires all your
attention, if you get details wrong you could have a serious injury. Now
imagine on this call that you are interrupted every twenty seconds by a total stranger
Twenty, thirty sixty, one-hundred times until the end of your day.
Stranger 1: “Wow, that’s a neat
phone. Can I see it?” “Well no I’m on an important call.” “Oh no your not you
were just there moving your lips about what’s the big deal I didn’t mean you
any harm. Besides I said I was sorry.”
You recover from stranger one and
get half a sentence out to the important person you are speaking to on the cell
phone then:
Stranger 2: “Sorry I know your
busy but I just wanted to tell you that looks like my friend’s cell phone
except it’s a different shape and color my friend had her cell phone because
she was president and she really needed it but, you don’t look like you really
need a cell phone so you won’t mind if I just take it a few minutes. Oh I’m sorry the phone is so adorable
it’s just so hard not to touch it so I decided I just must.
You pry the cell phone from the
stranger’s hand, You go back to your conversation and then
Stranger 3: Oh that’s one of them
cell phones now I know I’m not suppose to touch it so I won’t but do you mind
if I just stand here and talk to my child in a really loud voice while you try
to carry on your most important call? It’s just I’ve been trying to teach my
child about neat cell phones and we saw yours!
Wait it’s not over yet. You would
really like to get back to your call but:
Stranger 4: Your cell phone is so
neat and I can see your busy and I read the sign about not touching your cell
phone but well I’m just such a cell phone person I know your cell phone would
rather talk to me. I’m not even going to ask you I’m going to reach around you,
jerk the phone out of your hand, take it and carry on with it, then drop it and
walk away laughing at your sign.
Okay now you have your cell phone
back you are back to “normal” or as near normal as your life can be when you
have to carry this lifeline cell phone around and be on the look out for
strangers. —It’s finally your turn at the doctor’s office, or the bank so you
look up and:
Stranger 5: Well, I work at the
bank, or doctor’s office or you come all the time with your neat cell phone all
the time, so we couldn’t possibly be strangers and I just know that I’m the
exception to the rule so I’m going to make a cute crack about your cell phone
until everyone else in the building is talking about your cell phone and asking
you question after question about your cute cell phone. Then I will touch your
cell phone until everyone else notices me, I know any signs or words you have
couldn’t possibly apply to me.
“Gosh mom do you really have to
compare Service/Assistance Dogs to a cell phone?”
“Well Goodee a cell phone is a
life-saving necessary tool that must be used properly.”
“Speaking Service Dogs as life
saving tools mom we should tell me about Gizmo.”
“What Gizmo”
“Not what mom who---Gizmo the
Service Dog in Training.”
“Oh yes thanks for the reminder
Goodee.”
DD
& GOODEE the Service Dog wish to remind everyone our friend Teddy (age 10)
suffers from life-threatening tree nut allergies. A Service Dog can keep Teddy away from harm and carry his
needed medical supplies.
An
allergy alert Service Dog is $20,000. Teddy’s family and friends have
fundraising efforts underway. Teddy has missed an opportunity to purchase a dog
due to lack of funds but we are not giving up.
Gizmo
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
Mark your payment
“Training for Gizmo”__
For Details
See Facebook:
Teddy’s
Service Dog Fund
‘
We welcome feedback by email. Often when we are out &
about we must say:
Not Now We Are Working!
DD & Goodee
Goodeeworks@gmail.com
Not Now We Are Working!
DD & Goodee
Goodeeworks@gmail.com
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