Is your dog your "unofficial" medical companion?

[Shugardrawers]

My toy poodle Petey is my best buddy. He goes everywhere I can get away with. He doesn't qualify as a true medical companion dog and thus can't accompany me everywhere but we get by.

I get kind of stressed without Petey at my side. These are special issues most people won't understand unless they share them. I don't want to hear from people telling me how to work without him. I do a pretty good job of that already. I just want to know if other people have uncertified dogs/other pets and how they depend upon them and how they cope with their issues with them.

 

[L107ANGEL]

I think with everything you have been through you and Petey get a pass

 

[poohlover]

There is much medical research going on that shows pettting our pets lowers blood pressure and tension. I think there can be a wonderful bond between animals and humans.

One of my Newfoundlands is a certified pet therapy dog. He and his father are very good at sensing needs of people and being there when they need something for companionship.

I think if it works for you that is wonderful!

 

[kristilew]

My dad is almost completely deaf - he has hearing aids that help some, and can lip read, but when the aids are out he can't hear. When he travels alone, he takes his golden retriever with him as a "hearing dog." Charlie will nudge him if the phone rings or there is a knock on the door, and has alerted him to a fire alarm.

He's not a certified service animal at all, just really in tune with my dad, which it sounds like your poodle is with you. Animals are amazing that way, aren't they?

He can't take him to most other public places, but then doesn't need him as much when he's dealing with people face-to-face. Hotels have been very accomodating, though.

to you and may you have Petey with you whenever you need him.

 

[princess momma]

I can relate. I love my little dog. I've been taking some time off from work and we've gotten pretty attached. I always take him in the car with me when I'm running my errands. He just loves riding in the car. I wish I could take him everywhere - he has a real knack for making people happy.

 

[Snoopymom]

Yes!!!! DS9 has seizures. They're not TCs (Grand Mal type) but they're simple partials and sometimes he has spells of irrational fear and a feeling that things are unfamiliar or distorted and our Samoyed, Elvis does not leave his side, especially at night. If we accidentally shut him out of ds's room, he'll sleep right up against his door.

I've read Samoyeds were once bred to sleep with children to keep them warm, so maybe that instinct is still in him, but I really think that if ds ever had a seizure where he did lose consciousness, Elvis would come and get me or dh.

I looked into how they train dogs to detect seizures and most aren't actually trained. They either have the instinct or they don't, and if they do, then they are trained to get help.

We also used to take Elvis when he was a puppy over to visit our neighbor before she passed away. She had cancer and loved to pet him and have him sit in her lap. He always sensed that he couldn't get excited and jump on her. He would wag his tail like crazy and just sit with her until they both fell asleep.

I also think that Dh's Great Grandpa lived much longer than he would have because he had his dog to take care of. He never had a pet until he was in his 80's and he loved his Millicent!

I'm so glad you have your buddy Sugardrawers!!!!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

I am blessed with good health and I'm very grateful for that. Still, it amazes me how extra attentive our dog is to anyone in the family when they're not feeling well.

DS had strep throat a few weeks ago, and Max did not leave his side once. I caught the strep once DS healed up, and Max was the same way with me. If I rested in bed, he curled up alongside me. Whenever I got up, he was at my heels. He even had to follow me into the bathroom every time I went in there.

It's cool how dogs know you're under the weather and become extra watchful. Reason #101 to own a dog!

 

[DVC Sadie]

My toy poodle Petey is my best buddy. He goes everywhere I can get away with. He doesn't qualify as a true medical companion dog and thus can't accompany me everywhere but we get by.

I get kind of stressed without Petey at my side. These are special issues most people won't understand unless they share them. I don't want to hear from people telling me how to work without him. I do a pretty good job of that already. I just want to know if other people have uncertified dogs/other pets and how they depend upon them and how they cope with their issues with them.

Yes.

I had a Boxer who was my "unofficial" therapy dog. She stayed with me constantly and whenever I had a seizure she would stand over me until it was over. My parents were amazed by her seeming to know when I was going into a seizure so they brought her to a vet who stated that some dogs just have the ability. She passed several years ago and I miss her still and haven't chosen to get another dog (from the vet) who specializes in seizures.

 

[ZachnElli]

Yes, my dog knows when someone in the family is not feeling well. She stayed by my side every time I miscarried and was royally ticked when I brought home our newly adopted infant son. But as soon as he could see and interact with her, he thought she was the neatest thing ever and he became her baby too! She cries when he cries (still to this day and he's 4 now)! She'll even bark at me when he gets in trouble, she doesn't want him in time out! LOL! Unfortunately, my little Sugar hasn't been feeling well and is in fact at the vet's right now having surgery, so I'll have to be her medical companion later today when I pick her up.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I hope your pooch is O.K., ZachnElli. She sounds like our doggie. If I'm scolding my son, Max stands between us and barks. My son thinks that's the best thing ever!

 

[Pakey]

I honestly do not think I would have made it through chemo with my little pal, Andy. He stayed curled up against my chest which alleviated some of the pain (side effects from daily injections). It created a bond that I would be hard pressed to explain to anyone.

 

[tinatark]

This nutty guy here has a cat he has actually had certified as a "service animal" - the cat wears a cowboy hat, and the guy brushes her teeth. Her name is Mrs. Princess Sugarlump, or something like that.

He brings her everywhere - I've seen them in a few stores and at the mall.

How did he get the service animal certification? He takes her visiting to nursing homes.

Sorry, he annoys me! Keeps autographed photos of the cat available for admirers - and I think he's taking advantage of the "service" certificate for his personal gratification.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

My roommate's dog Hurley absolutely is. The night before I had my miscarriage, I was watching a football game and he kept smacking me with his paw when I wasn't paying attention to him (which I thought at the time was really strange behavior for him.) When I woke up at 2:45 in terrible pain and bleeding badly, he was right there by my side. I kept going to the bathroom (trying to figure out what was going on and never even thinking of a miscarriage since I didn't know I was pregnant) and every time I left him in my room he went crazy crying (usually, he's fine if I have to leave the room in the middle of the night) and when I went to sleep in between the cramps (I didn't let my roommate know anything was wrong until almost 7 AM because I "didn't want to bother him if it was nothing"), Hurley was as close to me as he could get. And when I finally opened the door at around 6:45 and had decided to call the ambulance, he ran upstairs to his owner, pulled at him, and cried. He definitely knew something was going on. He's also been excellent therapy since it happened.
To a lesser extent, his "brother" had acted much closer to me during the weekend before it happened than usual (he never sleeps in bed with me but I woke up from a nap with him snuggled up to me and he spent Sunday night in bed with me and Hurley...the miscarriage happened Monday night/Tuesday morning.)
After that, I would absolutely say that dogs know when something is wrong with their human companions.

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I have medical cats. they take care of me. My one cat loves to sleep on my head when I have a migrane (he blocks out the light). My other cat likes to lick me to try to cool my head. If nothing else it gives me a chuckle and lets me know they care.

 

[Mom21]

I'm glad your pet is a comfort to you. Mine is not. She is a pain but I keep her for dd's sake. But this reminded me of another situation. There was this lady and 3 kids in Publix (grocery store). They had this little dog in the cart with them. Normally i would just roll my eyes as i really don't believe these animals should be dragging their rears across the bottom of the cart I am putting my groceries in. Anyway the kids were obnoxious running, screaming, cutting me off, putting the dog among the produce (yep just sitting the little thing in there). To be honest I felt sorry for the dog. I tried to go to the other end of the store, but all to no avail. They were everywhere. I saw a manager walking by and mentioned it to him. I saw him telling the lady she had to take the dog out. Of course she had huge ****s and was quite the cute thing so he was actually falling all over himself apologizing. Whatever!! She actually tracked me down later in the store and starting harrassing me and still he couldn't keep his face out of her ****age.

I really am not to complain even when i get bad service in a restaurant. I have never asked for comped food. I just leave it on my plate. However I did contact Publix to ask about their policy so if they were ok with it I wouldn't complain to a manager again. I get a call from the district manager. He was very nice and agreed he hated the policy. He told me a funny story. He has one store where this lady brings in a donkey....yes a jack*ss!! He says she says it is a therapeutic donkey and he has to allow it in the store.

Now granted I am sure in court they would win, but Publix is known for customer service. All I can say is I will never complain about bratty children again and their dog with its rear in my fresh produce.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Anyway you can get him certified?

My psychiatrist has her dog in her office and she does well with everyone that she finally had him certified as a therapy dog. (I LOVE that dog when I visit her, very calming and easier to work through issues even if she isn't my dog.)

I don't know what goes into qualifying your dog for assistance, but I had met a lady once who had her dog certified (id'd and wore the jacket and everything) and it was b/c he was her emotional support. Very sad story, but wonderful that she had a companion to help improve her quality of life.

 

[Shugardrawers]

I think with everything you have been through you and Petey get a pass

I love you Angel

I looked into how they train dogs to detect seizures and most aren't actually trained. They either have the instinct or they don't, and if they do, then they are trained to get help.

I've heard of many cases where dogs were able to predict seizures. Sounds to me like your Samoyed has the instinct already

He even had to follow me into the bathroom every time I went in there.
It's cool how dogs know you're under the weather and become extra watchful. Reason #101 to own a dog!

I don't have to be under the weather for him to do that

I'll have to be her medical companion later today when I pick her up.

They give us so much, it's the least we can do for them. Your baby is in our hearts and thoughts tonight

I honestly do not think I would have made it through chemo with my little pal, Andy. He stayed curled up against my chest which alleviated some of the pain (side effects from daily injections). It created a bond that I would be hard pressed to explain to anyone.

I got my Petey as a companion when I was going through chemo the 1st time. He's seen me through so much. I know that's why I'm so attached to him. I've never been this way about a dog. He's seen me through so many illnesses that now that he's getting old and losing his eyesight I guess I feel bad leaving him alone.

This nutty guy here has a cat he has actually had certified as a "service animal" - the cat wears a cowboy hat, and the guy brushes her teeth. Her name is Mrs. Princess Sugarlump, or something like that.

He brings her everywhere - I've seen them in a few stores and at the mall.

How did he get the service animal certification? He takes her visiting to nursing homes.

Sorry, he annoys me! Keeps autographed photos of the cat available for admirers - and I think he's taking advantage of the "service" certificate for his personal gratification.

I have the most irritating kitty in the world! Simon is his name. He's FRIGGIN FAT, has a MILE WIDE ATTITUDE and only lets you pet him when HE feels like being petted. Dang I that cat But the animal should perform a service for YOU in order to be certified.

I'm glad your pet is a comfort to you.

I really am not to complain even when i get bad service in a restaurant. I have never asked for comped food. I just leave it on my plate. However I did contact Publix to ask about their policy so if they were ok with it I wouldn't complain to a manager again. I get a call from the district manager. He was very nice and agreed he hated the policy. He told me a funny story. He has one store where this lady brings in a donkey....yes a jack*ss!! He says she says it is a therapeutic donkey and he has to allow it in the store.

Now granted I am sure in court they would win, but Publix is known for customer service. All I can say is I will never complain about bratty children again and their dog with its rear in my fresh produce.

I never, let me repeat NEVER EVER attempt to take Petey ANYWHERE he is not legally allowed. He isn't a certified service dog and therefore his place is NOT in ANY store or restaurant. People who try to get away with that are very selfish. I don't think dogs, cats etc carry any more germs than a 2 year old but they MUST BE PROPERLY TRAINED. If not, they have no business being there. Hence, my Petey stays in the car on short trips or home on longer ones.

Anyway you can get him certified?

I depend on him a LOT for emotional support but I doubt my issues are to the extent that anyone would agree I need him constantly and that's ok with me. I'd prefer not to depend on him too much since he's already almost 8 and thus 1/2 way thru his lifespan. His vision is starting to go and I think I'm more protective of HIM than anything else.

My 23 year old nephew has a service dog. He had a brain tumor at 9 years old and the surgery cost him his sense of balance. Mookie's job is to nudge him when he starts to lean too much one way or the other. To me, he honestly NEEDS his dog everywhere he goes. I'm just very emotionally attached to Petey after spending so much time at home and in bed with him by my side.

 

[Shugardrawers]

BTW proud mommy moment. Here's the little guy in question:

 

[L107ANGEL]

Awwwwwww~

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Ain't he a cutie!

I don't blame you for needing him.