09 February 2016

Why I call my service dog medical equipment


Medical equipment comes in many forms to help mitigate many types of disabilities. There are wheelchairs, insulin pumps, canes, oxygen tanks, and more. There are also dogs. Yes, those cute, cuddly, lovable creatures that many of us just ooh and ahh over. As a dog lover myself, I definitely get that big smile and sometimes the giggles as I see a cute pup or a breed I love walking down the street or playing with their owner in the park. However, there's a big difference between a pet dog and a service dog. The latter is, indeed, medical equipment.

When my service dog, Sulley, gears up and we head out that door, he is working. He's no longer just a dog. Really, he isn't a dog anymore. He's my highly trained and very much needed medical equipment. He is my monitor for my anxiety levels to let me know before it gets out of control. He is my guide when fibromyalgia leaves me in a heavy fog and I can't think or function well. He's my movement when my legs feel like they are on fire, or when I'm extremely fatigued from living with chronic pain. He's my hands when I drop something and I worry that bending down will mean vertigo and a possible fall. He becomes as much an extension of me as any other medical equipment does for another disabled individual. He serves a very important purpose: to keep me safe and able to live my life.  
Recently we took a trip to one of our favorite places, Disneyland! Sulley loves it because it means lots of work. The crowds, the noises, and other distractions can be very triggering and very difficult for me to deal with. Without Sulley, there's no chance I would be capable of going and enjoying as much of it as I do. There's another aspect of it, though, beyond the basic over-stimulation of the parks, that makes it tough for me as a disabled individual who uses medical equipment—particularly the kind that is furry with a beating heart.

"Oh my gosh! Quick, kids! Look at the doggie! Look, look, look! Say, 'Hi, doggie!' He's so cute!"

Now, some of you might not understand what the big deal is. A parent is simply helping her children to enjoy a moment of a very adorable dog passing by. They might not even be encouraging their kids to pet, though that does happen despite Sulley's multiple stop signs and "do not pet" patches affixed to his vest and harness. Fortunately, this is such a frequent occurrence that I can share a few things that have happened in the past.

1) Due to my panic disorder, I startle extremely easily. Loud screams, even of joy, can cause me to fall and hurt myself, cause a panic attack, cause me to have such a sudden burst—then decrease—of adrenaline that it leaves me very dizzy and fatigued.
2) These noises can distract my service dog from his job due to him needing to investigate the sound, even for a second, to determine what caused it. If he's in the middle of mobility work and needs to turn quickly to investigate a sound, that can put me in harm's way.

3) He could attempt to seek attention, as he is still a dog and has off days, which would require me to correct him.

In these situations, I do my best to make a short but educational statement to people while still moving on. Confrontation is very taxing on me and can trigger my anxiety, so by keeping it short and to the point, I hope to avoid any medical issues on my end. This, in turn, makes it so the cute dog they want to enjoy doesn't have to work harder after an anxiety attack from a confrontation.

"Do not distract my service dog. He's working."

My point here is clear, at least to me.

1) Do not distract my service dog. (This is a service dog who needs to focus.)

2) He's working. (This dog has a job.)
Sulley after retrieving a credit card on the floor and placing it back on the counter.
Sadly, this is all too often met with hostility. I'm called everything from "rude" to many various expletives. I'm yelled at because "we were just saying hi!" I'm told I shouldn't have a dog in public that can't be played with.

This particular trip, it dawned on me that there was something happening with these exchanges. They didn't see or hear "service dog." They saw and heard "service dog." No emphasis in the world would help them see past the word that meant "adorable fluffy plaything here for my entertainment." They couldn't see the harm in greeting, petting, calling a dog. Obviously, he's friendly and not a biter. What's the harm? They saw a dog. They didn't see medical equipment.

The remainder of the trip, I practiced. I do my best to practice responses to people so that my anxiety won't get in the way of what I want to say. The rest of the day and back at the hotel room, I practiced. I asked friends to randomly pop questions about my dog at me. I failed at responses over and over, and grinned when I would finally get one right. The next day, I felt a bit better. I felt nervous, but ready to deliver my new responses to the public when they intruded on my day.
Sulley doing deep pressure therapy to lessen a fibromyalgia flare or panic attack.
Sulley is no longer a service dog. He is, and always has been, my medical equipment.
I placed Sulley in the crate provided at the roller coaster and began to board. An employee ran over while I struggled into my seat, squealing about my cute dog and demanding to know his breed.

Deep breaths. You've got this. You practiced countless times.

"I don't feel comfortable discussing my medical equipment."

She looks confused. Please go away ...

"No, no. I mean your dog!"

More deep breaths. Stay calm, you've got this!

"No, you mean my medical equipment."

NAILED IT! Did you see that lightbulb come on?!

Just as the employee scowled a bit and rolled her eyes, there was a pause. I could see it click in her head. She never even thought that the dog, my dog, was medical equipment. It lit a fire in me. The rest of the day, I struggled through getting the proper words out. It began to get a bit easier. I began plotting new ways to say things. What to say if someone said something terrible back to me. It was brilliant!
I felt confident and self assured that I could handle these confrontations. More and more people throughout the day had their lights turned on. Even if it was just a teeny spark, it happened every single time. Something that never happened when I explained him as a service dog.

"Ma'am, keep your child away from my medical equipment."

"Sir, do not distract my medical equipment."

"Interfering with my medical equipment is a crime."

"I am not comfortable discussing my medical equipment." (Insert rude reply.) " ... And that is why I am not comfortable. Good day!"

On an ending note, I would like to point out that never once do I say "sorry" or "please." When it comes to my safety and that of my dedicated medical equipment, it is never, ever a request. I also will not apologize for not wanting to be grilled about my medical equipment, or having it played with or distracted. This does not make me rude. It makes the person forcing their way into my personal space, and interfering with Sulley, rude.

No one, disabled or otherwise, deserves to feel intruded upon or made into a spectacle. Remember that service dogs are medical equipment, and respect their and their handlers' space.


Kymi

18 comments:

  1. I run into this a lot with my service dog Blu. I'm going to try your approach on our next trip out. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Thank you! I just recently had a blowout at the grocery store because an employee decided to chase me down and thought it was ok to grill me about my medical equipment. I will definitely try out the same thing. I'm sure i was seen as a screaming maniac because I was so upset and over loaded... Thank you! Wonderful article!

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  3. i like how you see it i plan to try to use this because it may help a lot more than just saying hes a service dog

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Thankyou, I have just had my 'medical equipment' :) in public for about 3 weeks now and I'm finding this part hard. My mum has done this part for me so far but I'm getting there (saying stop go away, nicely :)

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  6. I love that leash wrap across the back.
    Do you find that it helps/makes a difference? And where did you get it?

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  7. As a newbie handler, I've been absolutely terrified of people chasing me down and freaking out because I tell them my dog is working. I'm definitely going to call him medical equipment from now on when he's working.

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  8. As a newbie handler, I've been absolutely terrified of people chasing me down and freaking out because I tell them my dog is working. I'm definitely going to call him medical equipment from now on when he's working.

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  9. I have tryed to explain that to people and they look at me like my face has gone green. It is hard of anyone who doesn't depend on them the way we do to understand.

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  10. Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group? There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Thank you!
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  12. You Dog so Cute and the pictures you have posted are amazing.
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  15. First off I am so envious you even found a voice. I feel like a mouse and barely make eye contact. Had some low life follow me in a store holloring to talk about my dog. She auto blocked and very short low growled. Only loud enough for me to hear was barely 3 sec. I startle so eash, and I got a sudden urge to bolt. I took off to the front of the store and opened the doors to run out into the parking lot. My dog stopped me like she's supposed too. I sat on the concrete in tears. People walking in and out. It was horrifying. I hate being Hassel about her. I hate people saying I like your dog because I know they want more. My eyes go down as i walk faster away. I hate when people tap my shoulder. I hate when people block me and demand to know everything about my disability or my dog. I am not a very confident person. I've talked to my therapist and he's told me I dont have to say anything. They think im rude it's not the end of the world. What's rude is asking what's her name? what breed is she? are you training her for someone? what do you need her for? I did once say i don't want to talk to you go away. Felt pretty good. I will do my best to remember your verbage. She is medical equipment but to me that doesn't sound quite right. No one would walk up and say oh what a pretty walker!! Can I use it? Or oh you habh an o2 tank how about I take a whiff?. People out in public act like they have never once in their lives seen a dog. A huge service vest wearing dog with bright patches that say service dog at work do not pet do not distract. And i hate when parents encourage kids to come up to pet. Like last night it was a baby and making a b line and i covered my dog. The man says its ok buddy go pet it. I said no stay away shes not a pet. My husband thankfully stepped up and told him he was rude and to go away. Shes still in training. Focus is hard. People make it harder. Wish more were educated to know don't touch or distract just please ignore. Love your back strap hunny I feel like I need one to swing on me so maybe people will get the hint. I can go full blown panic within seconds if i feel cornered/trapped and pressured. Enjoyed the blurb thanks

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  16. I love dogs.. I them such a cute, lovely animal, the loyal one... Thanks for sharing this I should also consider this for my pup. I also recommend to every dog owner to get a training course so you can get to know how to handle your dogs.. Once again thanks for this information.

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