More on Why I am Opposed to Certification for Service Dogs

A while back I wrote about how I am opposed to certification for service dogs because I believe it would create barriers for people with disabilities.  It would cost money and I believe service dog handlers would have to bear at least some of that cost.  Lack of accessible transportation would also create a barrier if a handler had to go somewhere to get their dog certified. 

But here's more.  And this is possibly the most important thing, I think.

Most people do not need a special ID card or certification to go to Walmart or McDonald's or wherever.  I don't believe I should have to have a special ID just because I am disabled and need a service dog.  

Yes, I realize most people do not get to take a dog to Walmart or McDonald's, so there is something different about  me.  But then, most people don't have PTSD and fibromyalgia, either.  Most people are not disabled.

It's a civil rights issue, really.  The Americans with Disabilities Act is a civil rights law.  Requiring someone to have a special ID just because they are disabled would be a violation of their civil rights.  And yes, some might say the ID is not because I am disabled, it is because I have a service dog.  But I have a service dog, I need a service dog, because I am disabled.

I don't believe I should have to show ID to go to Walmart unless everyone is going to be required to do so.  It's about civil rights.  It's about equality. 

Coordination of Care

My readers with multiple health issues will probably understand this. Those without multiple health issues or complex conditions may not have experienced this personally.

People with multiple health issues or complex conditions typically have multiple physicians.  Health care is so specialized these days.

I personally have a primary care physician, a rheumatologist, a psychiatrist and an acupuncturist (yes, she is a physician) that I see regularly.  Each treat different things.  None communicate much, if at all (my PCP referred me to the rheumatologist, so I think there was a little communication there in the beginning, at least a few records faxed back and forth).  Three of them prescribe medications and they are only aware of what the other prescribes because I tell them.  My pharmacist and I look out for possible medication interactions. I also take lab reports about blood work or other labs ordered by one physician to the others so they all have copies.

So I've been feeling lousy lately, feeling like something is off and maybe I need some meds changed for something. But here is when having multiple doctors is a problem.

If I'm feeling more anxious and depressed, I should probably see my psychiatrist, right? But depression can sometimes, though apparently not often, be a side effect of the medication I take for fibromyalgia. Which was just increased recently. So should I see my rheumatologist instead? And if my psychiatrist wants to try a different antidepressant, that will probably mean stopping the one I'm on first, but in addition to being an antidepressant it is used to treat pain, so if I stop taking it my fibro pain may get worse, so should I discuss that with my rheumatologist first? 

Ideally my psychiatrist and rheumatologist would have a discussion about these things, but do you know how hard it is to get two doctors that do not work for the same practice to have a conversation? Sigh.

Review of Starmark Treat Dispensing Pickle Pocket for Dogs

This is Mr. Pickle, also known as the ickle pickle.

It is one of Isaac's favorite toys.  I don't know who came up with the idea of a toy pickle for a dog, but he really likes it.

You may recall that we lost Mr. Pickle at one point and I couldn't find it anywhere so finally had to order another. When the new one arrived, Isaac was absolutely delighted to see it. He licked it for a long time, then when he needed to go out to go potty, he insisted on carrying his pickle outside with him. 

If you can't tell by looking at it, there are grooves in the pickle where you can put treats.  The only thing I don't like about Mr. Pickle is that it is hard to clean those groves.  Isaac gets it all slobbery and there are little bits of treats in there and it's gross.

But Isaac loves it.

 It is also really durable.  Isaac is a champion chewer, after all, and Mr. Pickle does not even have any tooth marks.

The Cat in the Cupboard

I left the kitchen cabinet open for about a minute and look who had to get in.

The Service Dog at the Library

The other day, Isaac and I stopped at the library in the nearby town where we used to live.  I still have a library card there but haven't been there in a while.

This is the library at which Isaac and I ran into out first service dog team, about 2.5 years ago, shortly after I got him.  He barked at that other service dog.  Like he wanted to eat him.  I mean, it was awful.  I was so embarrassed.  I got Isaac out of there as fast as possible.

If you want to read up on our limited history meeting other service dog teams in public, here's a brief rundown.  It rarely happens.  We live in an area where there are not a lot of service dogs, I guess.

Well, what stood out to me is that this time, Isaac just glanced at the other dog.  He was curious, but not too distracted.  He kept walking, in a nice heel.

I love it when things like this happen and I can see so much progress.