I believe in helping when we can.
There are plenty of times I can't help others. Times I don't have money to donate, no matter how good the cause. Times I don't have the energy or stamina to volunteer, no matter how much I'd like to. We can only do so much and most of the time, I don't stress about what I can't do, I just help when I can.
Today is one of those times.
Yesterday a woman with a disability named Rebekah and her two service dogs were in a car accident.
Their car was struck by a semi-truck. One of her service dogs, Cali, was killed. The other service dog, Kenzie, is
seriously injured. Rebekah was also seriously injured and is now in
critical condition, fighting for her life, as is Kenzie. Both Rebekah's
medical bills and Kenzie's veterinary bills are going to be horrendous.
If you are able to donate even a few dollars, please do. And please
share this with others.
You can donate here.
I cannot imagine the pain of losing my dog Isaac and of having to try to recover from a near-fatal injury without him. And most likely, even if her second service dog (occasionally people have two service dogs, for various reasons) Kenzie survives (and she might not survive but of course the vet bills will still need to paid regardless), it's likely she will have to retire as a result of her injuries. So Rebekah will be facing the daunting process of getting a new service dog and recovering from serious injuries without the assistance of a service dog. I just can't imagine the pain she must be facing right now.
Please help if you can.
Saturday, June 6, 2015
Friday, June 5, 2015
Some Pics from Hocking Hills State Park
Rock climbing dog.
Cooling off in a creek.
Climbing stone stairs.
Exploring.
Running dog.
Hot dogs cooked over a campfire - Isaac's favorite part of the trip, I think!
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Tired Dog in a Tent
I have a ton of pics to transfer from my camera to my computer and then post, but for now, here's this. The second day we were camping, we got up early and went for a long hike. Then we went back to camp and took a midday nap. Isaac slept quite well in the tent.
What If Your Doctor Says No to a Service Dog?
A while ago I wrote about how to talk to your doctor about a service dog. Now I want to talk about what if your doctor says no.
Now, there are a few different things your doctor could say no to. And how to deal with that depends in part on what she is actually saying no to.
Are you disabled?
To qualify for a service dog, you have to be disabled. So what if you think you are disabled but your doctor does not?
Well, find out why she thinks you are not disabled. In some cases, it's a matter of how the term "disabled" is defined. To qualify for a service dog, you need to meet the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is this:
An individual a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
Note that someone may be able to work and still be disabled under the ADA definition. However, Social Security would not consider you disabled and would not grant you SSI or SSDI if you were able to work. So if your doctor doesn't know what definition of disability you are asking about, she might think you are not disabled if you can work. So make sure she understand what you are asking.
It might also be that your doctor thinks you are not disabled because she is not fully aware of all the ways your condition affects you. Make sure she has all the information.
Can you benefit from a service dog?
Your doctor might agree that you are disabled but think a service dog would not benefit you. That could be because she's not very familiar with service dogs. My psychiatrist had no idea that service dogs could be trained to help people with PTSD. I had to explain to him some of the tasks a dog could be trained to do. I also provided him with a brochure from Pet Partners with some general info about service dogs and I gave him some information from the program I ended up getting my service dog from.
Your doctor may know what service dogs can do but have a specific reason for thinking you would not benefit from one. If so, listen to her reasoning and see if you agree or think she might have a point. I know someone whose doctor felt getting a service dog at one point in her life would hinder her treatment process because she might rely on the dog instead of developing other coping skills. The doctor recommended working in therapy on developing more coping skills first, then looking into getting a service dog if needed. After thinking about her doctor's opinion, she decided she agreed.
What if you don't agree with your doctor?
If you've had a discussion with your doctor and you still believe you are disabled but your doctor doesn't, or you still think you would benefit from a service dog but your doctor doesn't, you can seek a second opinion.
You aren't legally required to have your doctor's approval to have a service dog, either, but you are legally required to be disabled. In addition, most service dog programs will require documentation from your doctor that you are disabled and can benefit from a service dog, and you may need some sort of documentation from your doctor for other things, as well. For instance, if you live in an apartment that doesn't allow pets, they probably have to make an exception for your service dog but they can require proof from your doctor that you are disabled and need a service dog.
Now, there are a few different things your doctor could say no to. And how to deal with that depends in part on what she is actually saying no to.
Are you disabled?
To qualify for a service dog, you have to be disabled. So what if you think you are disabled but your doctor does not?
Well, find out why she thinks you are not disabled. In some cases, it's a matter of how the term "disabled" is defined. To qualify for a service dog, you need to meet the definition of disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which is this:
An individual a disability is defined by the ADA as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.
Note that someone may be able to work and still be disabled under the ADA definition. However, Social Security would not consider you disabled and would not grant you SSI or SSDI if you were able to work. So if your doctor doesn't know what definition of disability you are asking about, she might think you are not disabled if you can work. So make sure she understand what you are asking.
It might also be that your doctor thinks you are not disabled because she is not fully aware of all the ways your condition affects you. Make sure she has all the information.
Can you benefit from a service dog?
Your doctor might agree that you are disabled but think a service dog would not benefit you. That could be because she's not very familiar with service dogs. My psychiatrist had no idea that service dogs could be trained to help people with PTSD. I had to explain to him some of the tasks a dog could be trained to do. I also provided him with a brochure from Pet Partners with some general info about service dogs and I gave him some information from the program I ended up getting my service dog from.
Your doctor may know what service dogs can do but have a specific reason for thinking you would not benefit from one. If so, listen to her reasoning and see if you agree or think she might have a point. I know someone whose doctor felt getting a service dog at one point in her life would hinder her treatment process because she might rely on the dog instead of developing other coping skills. The doctor recommended working in therapy on developing more coping skills first, then looking into getting a service dog if needed. After thinking about her doctor's opinion, she decided she agreed.
What if you don't agree with your doctor?
If you've had a discussion with your doctor and you still believe you are disabled but your doctor doesn't, or you still think you would benefit from a service dog but your doctor doesn't, you can seek a second opinion.
You aren't legally required to have your doctor's approval to have a service dog, either, but you are legally required to be disabled. In addition, most service dog programs will require documentation from your doctor that you are disabled and can benefit from a service dog, and you may need some sort of documentation from your doctor for other things, as well. For instance, if you live in an apartment that doesn't allow pets, they probably have to make an exception for your service dog but they can require proof from your doctor that you are disabled and need a service dog.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Last Minute Packing
(And no, I didn't wait 'til the last minute. Except some stuff has to be done last minute, like the cold stuff in the cooler.)
Isaac: Oh boy! We're goin' somewhere! Here, I'll help you pack.
Me: Thanks but I don't need any help. I got it covered.
Isaac: OK, then I'll just supervise.
Me: OK but... could you supervise without having your nose up my butt?
Isaac (looking confused): What kind of supervisor would I be then?
Me: Thanks but I don't need any help. I got it covered.
Isaac: OK, then I'll just supervise.
Me: OK but... could you supervise without having your nose up my butt?
Isaac (looking confused): What kind of supervisor would I be then?
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