Angry

So Canada voted in a Conservative Majority despite what would be best for the country so I went to drown my sorrows in one of the two bars I frequent in town. Upon arrival I was told that I had to go outside because my dog was not allowed. I tried explaining that she was a service dog, even producing her papers which were pushed aside and not even glanced at, and firmly told that it didn't matter that they can refuse service to anyone. I asked if they would say the same if I were blind to which they replied again "we can refuse service to anyone."

Having already bought a drink I went outside, but I went back in to ask when I could speak to the owner. They said I could speak to the manager tomorrow at 4. I plan to and if he does not understand the law I am contacting the state disability board and a civil rights lawyer. I have been to this bar many times with Sadie and do not understand why this time was a problem. To top it off there was another, non-service dog in the bar, but apparently that dog is a-ok (he said it's the only dog allowed in the bar).

Yes I cried. To deny my dog is to deny me. I may not have a visual disability, but I have one and I require a service dog to function "normally." To deny me a service because I require outside assistance is just as bad as not having a ramp for wheelchairs. So fark you Overtime in Clemson, SC. I'm going to fight for my right to frequent you then you can kiss my white butt because you will never get my business again.

My PTSD Dog

This post is brought to you by the anxiety attack that the Super PTSD dog Sadie interrupted last night.

So I am obviously still training my dog, but her medical training is all complete. She does amazing things for me (listed below), now if only I could get her to do the "little" things. LOL. She's a perfect example of a service dog, walking with me, sitting next to me, doing her medical duties, etc. But when not wearing her vest she doesn't always listen. *sigh* We're working on that.

I felt as though I should share her story with you as I love sharing her story. From scared abused dog who had to be carried into the yard to go to the bathroom to dog who walks proudly around campus when she has her vest on (without her vest I doubt she would).

She is a 3 year old abuse rescue American Pit Bull Terrier. Because she has PTSD and her momma has PTSD we got her a patch for her vest that says "PTSD DOG." :D Surprisingly I don't mind telling people that yes I do have PTSD, but I do get persnickity when they ask me how I got it. The patch on top of her back says "Service dog access required."

I originally just rescued her because I knew what an abused dog needed and I love pitties. But when she interrupted my first anxiety attack I knew that she may be able to help me in other ways with my PTSD/Bipolar/Depression. Here's what she did during my first and subsequent anxiety attacks: if I'm sitting or lying down she'll put her paws on my chest and paw at me until I make eye contact with her and start interacting with her. This brings me back to the present and out of whatever hell hole of the past I am stuck in. If I'm standing she paws at my legs and stands on her hind legs leaning on me (which she has been trained not to do) until again I start to interact with her - not just brush her off, but really solidly connect and interact with her. She knows when I'm about to have an anxiety attack (I don't know how, but she does) and she knows when I'm just going through the motions of interacting with her and when I'm really connecting with her and being pulled out of my head.

Since I realised she could do this, she has been taught to bark when it's time to take my meds, she nudges me in bed in the morning when my alarm goes off to get me to get out of bed at least to walk her which usually prevents me from staying in bed all day, and she comes out with me in public (we're still working on socialisation - that part takes about 6 months and she's strides ahead of where an abused dog should be, I've only had her since August). I feel like I can go so many more places now - I'm not scared to go out in public.

I ***HIGHLY*** recommend a service dog for people with PTSD. Here's a story of a PTSD dog. Let's just say I see my Sadie in there.

UPDATE: Here's Sadie's story on Stubbydog.org. And here's her complete background since she was rescued.

P.S. We went to the American Bully Kennel Club show on January 29th in Tampa. It was so fun being around all those pit bulls and pit bull lovers! Plus SADIE WON 1ST PLACE FOR BEST RESCUE:

I don't know what I'd do without her - she makes my life so much more liveable.