Service Dog Etiquette

Re posting an older blog that I thought has some tips for when you meet a service dog team. All these things are always appreciated.

I get asked occasionally from people I meet about what proper service dog etiquette is. I have meet a great deal of people who have service dogs and agree that this etiquette can really make a difference in their lives. I think the etiquette really is helpful and show respect for the disabled person you may come across. These are some item I think fall under that category. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to comment. I never mind answering questions.

1. Do not distract the service dog from its job. That includes Kissee noises, barking, or any noises at the dog. Petting or calling to the dog.

2. Please understand if a handler will not let you pet their dog or stop to talk. Many disabled people live a very normal life and do not always have time to stop and chat. Some service dogs can become distracted when being petted frequently. This distraction could be deadly for a handler or have severe consequences.

3.Do not draw attention to a service dog team. Service dog handlers are trying to live a normal life as possible and people making a scene or pointing out the dog will not help. This can make a person feel very uncomfortable.

4. Do not feed a service dog without asking. Many service dogs have a special diet and might include treats as rewards for alerting and extra food may not be needed. Most service dog teams are trying to balance their dogs activity and eating habits with the need for them to stay on the lighter side. Extra weight will put stress on joints and hips which could mean a dog is retired sooner.

5. Treat the service dog handler with dignity and respect. Please when speaking to a service dog handler talk to them not their service dog. Asking a disabled person about their disability is not respectful and can make the handler uncomfortable. General questions are usually considered respectful because the person does not have to talk about their own personal issues. The service dog handler is trying to live a normal life and being questioned constantly can be invasive.

6.When offering help don't insist. A service dog team could be hurt if a car stops at a light and they are sight impaired and you wave them on instead of allowing the service dog to do their job. Sometimes a person will want to do things on their other times they may need help. If trying to help always ask just don't take a service dogs leash or try to guide the dog along.

7. Do not photograph or take pictures of service dog teams without permission. This can make a handler uncomfortable and draws attention to the team. They are trying to be treated like any other person would be treated.

8. If your a parent try to educate your children or other about service animals. Telling children about disabilities can be helpful. I know most people think I am not disabled because it is not obvious talking about hidden disabilities can be beneficial for all. Talking about service animals also helps children to understand that they are working and need to not be distracted.

I Need a Break From Being So Tired

                    I have been dragging for months now and I thought I had figured out what was wrong but I am sure. I had a B-12 injection and felt great again and everything seemed on track but then a week and half later I had my blood redrawn again and it showed up as normal B-12 level. I know my Dr. never called back because he was unaware of the fact that I had an injection before my blood draw so I am not sure if it is a B-12 deficiency or just my my thalassemia acting  up. Thalassemia is basically a blood disorder that runs in Mediterranean backgrounds where my body produces fewer healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin. I was diagnosed with it when I was 25 they actually thought I had leukemia which was quite scary. I was pleased it turned out to just be a simple case of anemia. So I am really hoping I figure it out soon because at this point it is really slowing me down. I am so exhausted and this is the busiest time of year for me. I am behind on my personal email and my work emails and work in general. My job position the way it is set up we are always behind but this year the work load has increased and so I am really feeling the pressure which is not helpful when I am already dragging. I know Duchess also has great needs of getting exercise as well. I am really hope I can figure it out soon so I can be back on my way to feeling good again. All the issues I am having also play a role in messing with my blood sugars as well. I am back to where I was before but I have a system in place that it is not as bad as before I had my B-12 injection. I am tired in general having some extra energy right now would be so ideal.

Diabetic Hope Conference

                  I was really please to be able to attend the Diabetic Hope Conference online yesterday. It was so refreshing to see people discussing complications. I have been so very frustrated by the lack of communication about complications amongst bloggers. I still think we are a very long way from being able to freely talk about complications. Here is some of the things I realized yesterday. One is that some of the speakers on the panels seemed very uncomfortable. I have to tell you it is not fun having complications and I find that for most it is out of their comfort zone. I did see others such as George Simmons seem very comfortable speaking about complications. I know during the twitter portion I commented about complications. I know I am little too outspoken about complications but I have never felt so alone as a diabetic until I had complications. I know the saddest part of all of this has been the judgement by other diabetics I have received in forums and online. I will never understand why we are not able to be more supportive of each other regardless of complications or not. I know I already deal with the guilt that I had a couple of bad  years in my teen years and will pay a price for that. That guilt will haunt me for the rest of my life and I am okay with that. I know my financial issues in my early twenties and making choices dealing with health care was incredibly difficult and also played a part.

                  There was some responses to my tweets yesterday that reason some bloggers do not talk about complications is fear of losing health insurance or fear of losing jobs. I know my employer is quite large so I can freely discuss complications with very little issue in that area. I know of several type 1's who work for the same employer and some of them have complications. I know that my insurance companies is aware of my complications because of medical billing codes and other types of Dr.'s I am seeing on a regular basis. I know fear is always an issue when  blogging about issues such as complications. I am all for talking about these issues because I feel like someone else will be struggling with the same issues and if I can help share my experiences I am more than willing. I also realized that anyone of us could get hit with a complication at any point in the process and it can happen very quickly. I know I have never judged others because of complications because I have learned along the way that sometimes doing the best you can you can still get complications. I have sadly seen people two or three years in get complications that are kids and it's not because the kid had bad A1c's or blood sugars but I believe that their body just does not deal well with diabetes. I have seen others who are 50's years in complication free who did not test for 12 years. My conclusion is that avoiding complications is not guaranteed and you can only do your best with where you are at.  I hope less and less people will get complications but it would be nice someday to not be as judged by people who understand especially since the general public can be very judgmental. Thank you for letting me vent. I have been wanting to talk about this for a while but feel like today is the right time.

More Information about Purchasing Diabetic Alert Dogs

               I get asked frequently by people who want to get a diabetic alert dog for their children their is several issues I have seen and observed from the parents. I know most people assume that all diabetic alert dogs alert at night but that is incorrect there are some but the majority do not always alert at night. Duchess will alert but she is not very consistent and I am working on that currently but I also have my Dexcom as a back up. Duchess is really just another tool in my arsenal and not my only one. Another thing I have learned is that any trainer should really try to talk your out of getting a diabetic alert dog before you start the process because if after all the downsides they talk about and your still interested the more likely you are to succeed as a team. I have seen some children who's parent purchase a DAD for their teenager but did not ask the teenager if they wanted a diabetic alert dog and the team ended up failing only because the teenager ignored the dog and the dog interpreted it as that the job is not important. If you ignore alerts, do not do consistent follow up with training, allow petting  and not enough down time for the dog can all equal a diabetic alert dog who does not work. I can see the novelty of the idea of a companion which is one of the best parts but there is also so much work as well. I knew going in several years it was going to be work but I had not idea how much that was really entailed. I am very comfortable with that their is work but with a busy life it can be difficult at times. I know some may read this as I am trying to discourage other from getting a diabetic alert dog but that is not the case. I am trying to provide you some of the things I have learned along the way. I know most families that have the diabetic alerts dogs only talk about that good things but I feel the need to discuss all aspects.

              I know their was some things I did not know going in that I wish I had when I went through the process and I want to share that information. I could not agree more that I made the correct choice for me and I will never regret this journey with my best friend Duchess but I have also had so many unexpected issue from dealing with the public. I did expect issues from the general public and public access issues. Some of the comments from people were more than I have bargained from I stole Duchess from a child who would need it more than me. Which is really an unfair statement because I actually paid for Duchess. I know when I first got Duchess there was not nearly as many places who offered diabetic alert dog but I have also seen so many people get ripped off by companies selling untrained puppies and sick puppies. I did my research and found a great dog. So if you are looking into getting a diabetic alert dog remember research and more research. There is quite a few reputable places but keep in mind on average to get a fully trained dog is at least two years. If something sounds too good to be true it is. I have heard claims that a dog was able to tell a child was low from 9 miles aways is not possible. They can from quite some distance but that is a little far fetched.

I am posting an interview at blogging diabetes about diabetic alert dogs as well.

http://bloggingdiabetes.com/2012/06/bdp-046-interview-with-tarra-robinson-diabetic-alert-dog-tslim-and-news/

Loose Dog on Campus

                     I have been working overtime now for a couple of weeks and honestly Duchess has been so good about the longer hours at work. I also usually end up coming into work on Sundays for a couple of hours to make sure that I am getting as much done as possible. I was walking back to my car yesterday and I did not notice a little dog that was unleashed near bye. I was a little preoccupied because I was planning what else I needed to get done yesterday afternoon after my overtime. Then the little dog noticed Duchess next thing I know the little dog is trying to bite Duchess and get Duchess distracted. Next thing I know I see the owner running  up after the dog. I am trying to move away from the dog to get Duchess focused. She has been attacked by another dog in the past and I am thankful she is still working for me at all. The next thing I know I am falling to the ground because the dog go Duchess all turned around. I get up pretty quickly scrapped up my knee and my hand pretty good. I look down on the ground. My diabetic alert bracelet clasp is not broken. I was pretty upset because I have had this one for a while and it is a decorative bracelet that I have loved wearing. So now I have to being the process of finding a replacement bracelet part but the engraved piece is still in great shape. I really wish people would keep their dogs on leashes. I have had this issue of her being chased down by dogs loose on campus. I know it is tempting with open areas to let your do loose but unless they have a great recall command.

                       I am happy that I held onto my old diabetic alert dog bracelet from before as a back up but I am still bummed that it was ruined because of a loose dog. My knee is okay but I am sure that it could leave a scar because I took a big chunk of skin out of my knee. I am sure it will start to heal up pretty quickly at least. Well at least Duchess was not upset by the incident and at the end of the day that is all that matters.

Favorite Blogs

Diabetes Blog Week Post:  As another Diabetes Blog Week draws to a close, let’s reflect on some of the great bloggers we’ve found this week. Give some love to three blog posts you’ve read and loved during Diabetes Blog Week, and tell us why they’re worth reading. Or share three blogs you’ve found this week that are new to you. (Thanks to Pearlsa of A Girl's Reflections for inspiring this topic.)

           I have had such a busy week I never got to read all the blogs that I wanted to this week. I don't want to be unfair to other blogs I have not gotten the chance to read yet. So I am not going to list my favorites this year. I have to say I have been so impressed with the sheer number of bloggers and how each person's creative ways for addressing the topics of the day. I know I have so enjoyed this blog week just as much as last year's. I just can't say enough about how wonderful it is to be part of such a large group of bloggers who are trying to help others by sharing your experiences. I know I always feel better knowing that other people can find my stories about my hypoglycemia unawareness and my journey to getting my diabetic alert dog Duchess. I know I was terrified back then but I had to work so hard to find what I needed I am hoping I can help anyone who might be experiencing what I was and give them some hope. So proud to belong to such a group of wonderful people who face so many obstacles but keep on going like it's no big deal.

Dream Device

Diabetes Blog Week :  Link List
Back by popular demand, let's revisit this prompt from last year! Tell us what your fantasy diabetes device would be? Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc. The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?

      Dream diabetic device would be a one device that has the features listed below

Size of a credit card and has a way of tucking tubing out of the way hat to rip out sights by door knobes.

Has Dexcom CGM intergrated into pump

Pump supplies are much more affordable

The device also is the meter as well.

Has remote that can do all things the pump can but discretely when needed. Which would be nice in meetings dinners etc.

The pump will be able to print out all information within minutes without any difficulty.

Has the ability to automatically email family and Dr.'s pump/Dexcom information in pdf format.

The pump and meter lets you know about trends high or low.

Ability to add notes about why things are off or what is happening. Make things easier to show Dr. what is going on.

The device would synch up automatically without cables as well. The easier to use the more likely we are to
 use it.

It would be nice to not have to carry all of the things below around

 

Swap

             Diabetes Blog Week Post for Today:  Just like in the movie, today we’re doing a swap. If you could switch chronic diseases, which one would you choose to deal with instead of diabetes? And while we’re considering other chronic conditions, do you think your participation in the DOC has affected how you treat friends and acquaintances with other medical conditions? (Thanks to Jane of Jane K. Dickinson, RN, PhD, CDE and Bob of T Minus Two for this topic suggestion.)


            I am going to cheat and take one of my current issues as what I would trade my diabetes for. I would not mind having Celiac's disease instead of diabetes. The reasons I would choose that is two fold. The first reason is that I eat very little processed foods verses before. My diet has always included fruit, nuts, lean meats and vegetables so pretty healthy. I really feel now that I eat so much better and have benefited by even better eating in most ways. I have found wonderful products for example that are processed but the ingredients are 3to 8 ingredients which I can pronounce. I also have found healthier options for eating out. I eat less of the really high carb foods as well. Overall my health is better than before because of the changes. The second reason it is so much easier to manage than my diabetes. Yes I do have to preplanned meals and where I am going to eat out but I have been very successful in being able to do so. There is the isolation factor at times because a person want to go to a pizza place but there is growing number of places now offering a gluten free options so I can eat out at more and more places. So overall I think it would be the easiest for me to deal with. I do miss some things but I have found better things as well.

                 I really do think participation in the DOC has affected me in great ways but I think being diabetic for most people will make you more compassionate of others dealing with issues. I know because of Duchess I have meet so many wonderful people who have struggles just like us diabetics and have their own obstacles and I respect that. I know I have always been advocate of disabilities and even more so now since I have Duchess. I am always working on education about disabilities in general because the public's perception is not always correct and accurate of disabilities. So by me educating maybe I will be making a difference in the long run.  The DOC has taught me so much and I have meet some of the most wonderful people imaginable who all are working to educate and inspire others.