People Say the Darnest Things

People say the Darnest things when we are out and about. Public access with a service dog is not new to the United States but it is clear from the humorous responses Mom and I are about to share that many people have not been exposed to a variety of service dogs or service dog etiquette.

Mom was walking me then stopped and texted Dad. A person walked up and said, “Is that a blind dog?”

Nope! I am not blind nor is Mom. See what gear a blind dog wears for its handler.

Another time, Mom parked her car and unloaded me while two men watched. Again she was asked, “Is that a blind dog?”
Guess what she said? “We both have great vision but I only let the dog drive the John Deere Tractor!”

That is my trainer, Liz, and her dog, Trazer, driving.
One person actually said, “Can I buy your dog? It is so well trained.”

That is how Mom felt!!!!

Kids are pretty amazing in the things they say as well!

An often asked question is, “Does your dog bite?”

If I could answer, I would say, “No, Mom is more likely to bite than me – LOL!”

“Does your dog bark?” kids ask.

We all bark. But I only bark if someone comes on our property or enters the house when Dad is not home.

“Is that a bear?” we sometimes hear.

This is a bear. We dogs look quite different. Mom has been known to say to adults, “Yes, and I have a zoological permit!”

“What do you need a dog for? Tell me.”

“Invisible disabilities.” This comment and a smile tends to stop questions.

And that is how Mom and I deal with being a team, navigating public access, and some of the Darnest Things that occur on a near daily basis …at least in our imagination!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Ride like Rosa Parks

We are planning our Big Adventure. It is based on real life discrimination and like, Rosa Parks’ story, it is occurring on a city bus system. Several acquaintances of ours who ride city buses have encountered difficulties due to being partnered with a service dog and using the bus for transportation. Rosa Parks faced discrimination due to her race and she calmly sat down for her rights.
Mom knows that one of our gifts as a team is the ability to meet and educate individuals about the Americans with Disabilities Act. Basically it is a federal law that allows individuals with service dogs to go everywhere other people do, with few exceptions ( like an operating room and a kitchen). We have some simple literature about it to share and to help people understand.
So…we have a couple Big Adventures planned in the near future on the city buses to do some advocacy for service dog teams! Stay tuned for updates.

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Start Your Day With A Smile!

We like to start our days with a smile! Today Dad took Mom and me for a quick breakfast at Denny’s before they started their chores. Our waitress was really nice and knows how to treat a person with a service dog who has public access! Mom and Dad really like that. We started smiling then. I was really good (of course). Here is a picture of me doing a great “under”.

Mom and Dad ordered and the food quickly came. Silly Dad made certain that everyone including our waitress started the day with a smile and we decided to share it with you!

Happy Saturday!!!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Freedom …and Eternal Dependents!!!

There are things that no one told Mom before she received a service dog. It is hard to explain the amazing sense of freedom that Dash and I give her! Mom is able to drive, volunteer, keep doctor’s appointments, shop for necessities, and go out for meals. We get her up on time, remind her to take her meds and let her know if she has a medical issue.

But no one can explain, in advance, the onslaught of attention and the variety of responses that must be dealt with when one has a service dog like me! It is a constant source of attention whether Mom wants it or not. Attention that she must deal with politely and positively before tending to her own needs or wants. No one mentions or truly explains the enormity of this task when one considers getting a service dog. Believe me, the types of attention are not always nice and people are not observant that Mom may be exhausted and have needs of her own…

And, having a service dog means despite the increased freedom, me = we. Mom is now basically responsible for herself and me and Dash, who have the basic ability of toddlers and will never grow older. We require food, drink, shelter, ongoing training, protection, love, and medical care. It is a 24 hour / 7 day a week responsibility. Planning for trips, illness, holidays, and emergencies is required. Their is no divorce for service dogs. You, the owner, must be prepared and plan for “until death do you part…” but it is not always clear as you take those first steps toward “freedom”! Mom had a helpful husband and they thought it through carefully. Dash and I are a big responsibility but Mom and Dad were ready for it!!

Yes, we service dogs bring freedom but we are are eternal Dependents, too! Just think consider all the tough questions as you you take take this leap forward!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Flying the Friendly Skies…with Fido!

Mom has been planning a trip that may include flying. So she has been doing her research about traveling with me, her service dog, and actively participating in online discussions to obtain information regarding the best options for us. In doing so, we discovered a couple pieces of important information! Only service dogs are covered by Federal Law and fly free with their handlers but each airline has some extra rules. The ACAA (Air Carrier Access Act) governs what occurs in the air thus it has slightly different wording and each airline interprets it slightly differently but public access for individuals with SDs is supported.
This is a good reference to have on hand: ADA link
Another thing to note is that working dogs which are deployed ( federal, state or local) are allowed in the passenger cabin per state and airline guidelines. It is a complicated situation but these dogs, too, will be clearly identified and well trained. Another excellent reference for learning airline requirements is : airline guidelines
Bottom line: SDs have public access. Working dogs have limited access per state and airline guidelines when deployed, and pets NEVER have cabin access unless crated and paying a fee.

Hope you learned as much as we did!
Woofs and wags,
Bella

Public Access: 101

Public Access 101: Who has it? What is it? What defines it?
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, Therapy Dogs and their access rights under the law. Public Access allows a Service Dog (SD) to accompany his/her partner anywhere s/he must go or live as long as the SD is under control and behaving appropriately. No vest or ID is required. I usually wear both. Here is my ID.

. Here is Dash in his vest.

To qualify for a service dog, a person must have a disability or medical condition that affects one or more areas of life functioning and is verified by a medical doctor. The dog should be trained and the training documented to mitigate the specific disability by performing task work.

An Emotional Support Dog (ESA) DOES NOT have public access rights under the law. It does have protected housing rights under the ADA. An ESA is not required to be trained although some may train their dogs.

A Therapy Dog does not have public access rights or housing rights under the law. Although I am trained, certified and insured, I must be invited into a building by the owner or staff for a theraputic purpose. I may go only to areas where I am told to go. I may enter only at specific times. I am a guest- I may not come and go freely as a service dog team with public access could. When I work as a Therapy Dog I wear my Bandana.

I wear my Therapy Dog badge.

It is important to understand that I have to change roles and change gear and badges. Yes, it takes time but it is the legal thing to do as a dual certified dog! One of Mom’s “pet” peeves is people who misrepresent dogs as service dogs when they are not! So we take the extra time to change my gear and tags and to always educate people about my various roles!
It is not that complicated, is it?

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Field Trip!

Yesterday we volunteered as chaperones on a field trip for our Noe Middle School Titans Team. We rode the school bus with Ms. Ames and about sixty students to the Louisville Water Company. There we learned all about the history of water and various aspects of the Ohio river. People also learned about me. There were LOTS of SD questions and Newfie questions. We were proud of the kids because they were able to answer many of them.
Then the bus took us to Main Street and we walked to Fourth Street Live food court. Our students did a good job with being polite and following directions. They were so kind to one another and helped each other out. I went to my usual down/under and stayed there while Mom and Mrs. Ames ate. When we got up to leave, the people at the next table were shocked to find out a dog was next to them. One of the students calmly replied, “That’s Bella. She’s a service dog. She has public access to help her person”. It was a very proud moment for Mom and me. What a great field trip – in so many ways!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

You Just Call Out My (real) Name!

When Mom and I are out we consider ourselves “normal”. I am her service dog but it is our daily life and public access is typical for us. Many people accept us and don’t gasp, stare or comment. But there is a percentage of the population that does not realize that I go everywhere a wheelchair or a diabetic pump goes. People are quite prone to say, “Is that a blind dog?”
They need to know that there are two and only two questions a person with a service dog may legally asked:
1). Is that a service dog?
2). What work or tasks does it do?
That is it!
That is the law!
And here is how Mom feels when all the other questions are asked!

So be courteous if you aren’t already and stick to the law, and Mom and probably everyone else with service dogs will appreciate it!

Woofs and wags,
Bella

Choices and Changes

There comes a time for change in a person’s life. Mom has recognized that I do need some changes as I mature and reach my golden years! Mom knows that I can do both my jobs (service dog and therapy dog) for a number of years but she is preparing Dash to take over for me. It is hard for both of us when she and Dash do Public Access work for his Service Dog in Training hours. I have to stay home alone. Even though Dash is a huge comfort to Mom, (and I am not named Timmy), this cartoon really reminds me of how hard it is on Mom to leave me…

Did I mention I don’t make it easy on Mom? We really love each other! But is it a change that forces this choice.

Woofs and wags,
Bella

What is “Fat”?

I had an early healthy breakfast and my walk this morning. As you know from earlier posts, I love food and I love to eat. As a certified public service dog, I have public access and accompany Mom everywhere. Today she and Dad decided on brunch at Denny’s. Well, brunch sounded delicious to me…but my conscience decided to have a conversation with me about “fat”! It went like this:

Oh well, I won’t have the brunch after all. Besides, I don’t eat “on the job”.

Woofs and wags,
Bella