Keeping our service dogs safe is of utmost importance to a handler. We train them to help make us more independent in the face of our disabilities, and they become a vital part of our lives. In this post, I will delve into the importance of car safety with your service dog, various options available to you, rules to enforce, and commands to use in regard to getting in and out of the car.
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First off, if you have CRPS, don't go to the ER unless absolutely necessary. Find some way to help yourself. We went in with information, my boyfriend spoke for me as my jaw had locked open, gave them explicit instructions on how to handle me, and how to handle my situation, and they ignored me. I was mistreated, I was labelled as a drug seeker, and not given the proper care. The only thing they did right was not putting up a fuss about Robbie's presence.
Taking your dog with you everywhere sounds like a dream, right? Think again. It's not so much like taking your best friend with you on an adventure, as it is taking a 3-year old with you everywhere. A 3-year old who still needs a diaper bag. When you leave the house, you may have a plan of stops to make, but you really don't know what the day has in store for you. It's a good idea to keep a bag of supplies in your vehicle all the time so that you are prepared for anything. Below, I will provide a list of everything we keep in Robbie's go-bag and why we need each thing. Type of Bag
We use a UA Trance Sackpack purchased at a local sporting goods store. It was on the expensive side, but it has been worth it. It has mesh backpack straps as opposed to the traditional drawstrings, which makes it comfortable to wear. But it has the same design as a drawstring backpack and you'd be surprised how much you can fit into it. It's like Mary Poppin's bag! The one we got is bright red, so it is easy to spot in a full car. Shit happens. Maybe you get in a car accident or your dog eats something toxic. You are away from home, and away from pertinent medical records for you and your dog. What do you do? You are so flustered you can't remember the contact information for your primary care doctor or you dog's vet. Your dog can't stay in the hospital with you - do you know your dog trainer's number by heart? Do you know anyone's number by heart? Can you explain why they can't take your service dog to the pound? So much is going on. Too much is going on. That's where an emergency portfolio comes in handy.
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My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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