Jen, I just read this post and I just wanted to say GOOD FOR YOU! ;)
It is a shame that you needed to 'go' somewhere that you really didn't want to 'go'. I wish you all the best in the world. ;)

Jen you should not have to explain what your disability is. Just because someone wants to train their dog to be a service dog des not mean they dont have a legitimate disability. I suffer from panic attacks also and understand how unpleasant they are.

Thank you both. I really don't like to talk about it because I get embarassed but I appreciate your support. :p

I think that is awesome that your little guys can be such a help. I have read posts in the past where people have insinuated that only bigger dogs can legitimately service and yorkies are so little what can they actually do. Of course I'm sure most of us could think of many ways yorkies could be important as service dogs but you supplied a good concrete example. It was very kind of you to be so open about such a personal matter.

Thank you so much for your kinds words. They made me smile. :p Here's something else I'd love to teach my babies:

I usually leave my cell phone plugged in and charging on the kitchen counter. I was thinking of buying pet steps tall enough to lead to the counter (5 or 6 steps) so that, if I ever have an emergency again like that time in the bathroom where I was unable to move for hours (I was stuck on the bathroom floor for 4 hours until I eventually crawled to the kitchen, grabbed my cell [it was really hard to reach high up on the kitchen counter] and called Jim to come home from work and help me -- he was sooooo upset that I was on the floor all morning and he didn't know, he was crying like a baby that is how upset he was) I can train Codie and/or Tia to go up the steps, grab my cell and bring it to me. My only worry is that they will get an electric shock if my cell phone is plugged in. Is that possible?? :confused:

Thank you for sharing. I think your description of the dog getting your medications was excellent. Too many people think service dogs as only mobility dogs or seeing eye dogs. I understand your not wanting to divulge personal information but you might have benefited someone else on this forum who might not have known that small dogs can provide legitimate benefits--just different from the bigger dogs.

Small dogs can be epilepsy/seizure dogs, hearing dogs, medication dogs, diabetic dogs. Small dogs can pick up keys, pull covers up on beds, turn on and off lights. All these tasks make them "Service" dogs.

And I can go on for hours about "therapy" dogs and tasks theu perform.

Be careful that there is nothing dangerous to your dogs in your purse and that your medications can't spill.

If you do a google or yahoo search on service dogs or therapy dogs you will be connected to a lot of good organizations with trainers who can thoroughly train you and your dogs to assist you and help you get the appropriate identification and licenses.

Good point! :thumbup: I don't carry anything other then my anti-vert pills which are in a pretty secure child-proof case (sort of like the cases for children's tylenol that are child proof -- you have to push down and twist). But that is important to always remember ... never leave loose pills in my bag because they would be deadly to my babies!!

Hi all,

OK, I am pretty sure my post will upset many people.
Iam a former raiser and leader for Guide Dogs For the Blind, Inc. I also have some pretty strong feelings about people just taking their animals in because they can fit in small places and no one knows. It can be extremely diffucult to get access to some places. Especially grocery stores and restaurants. The business can not refuse you as long as you have a service animal. Most orgintions provide ID that you must carry to prove the animal is a service animal.
It is also true that just about any animal can be a service animal, remember the pony for the blind awhile back. While that is not typical.
I had been condsidering going through the training with Phoebe and having her as a therapy dog. Mainly to take her to nursing homes and also we happen to have a cancer care center here as well and to the dialysis center, to help support the people that were undergoing treatment as well as the people in nursing homes. Even with my back ground I still would need her to be a credited with Delta and I have to be the one that goes through the training. The person handling/responsible for the animal is who has to go through the training. I know that there are service dogs used for emotional support. Also there have been many BILLS in Congress to help with access. All I know is what I had been thought over several years with the industry.
With all of that said. I just called my favorite grocery store and asked them this question. If I came in your store with an animal and I was approached by your staff about the animal and I said well this is a service animal what would happen? The manager said as per their training with the ADA they have to accept your word. They are not allowed to ask for ID or ask any further questions. The only way they can ask you to leave is if the animal is being unruly or has done it's "business"(you know). He is the one that said it could be a snake or even a pigeon and you can not do anything.
My daughters are volunteers with our local threputic horse riding program, most all of the people are confined to wheel chairs.
I can not say enough positive about the service animal industry.

Have a great day
Muriel

If I helped anyone, then I am happy. It's just hard for me to talk about it because I am a very prideful person and I HATE the thought of anyone pitying me. This illness does not prevent me from working (yet) and I pray it never will. I saw my mom's life and how she suffered from her heart disease and diabetes and it eventually killed her. I know how much she resented being ill and being LIMITED in what she could do in life and I resented it too on her behalf. She use to cry because she hated it so much. She was sometimes miserable that she could not go swimming or bike riding or other sports ... she couldn't even walk 2 blocks without having to stop to catch her breath. And I resent being sick now too. I HATE that I have no control when I get an attack -- I can't even predict when this will happen to me. For me personally, this illness is just shattering and devestating. Only my immediate family knows I have it and few VERY close friends (some of my cousins don't even know). I'm just very private about it. But like I said, if I helped anyone, then it was worth it. :)

I had respect for your decision before reading the "reason" why you want to register your babies as service animals, but i thank you for explaining your reason, i think you have helped other people by sharing your experience!

Panick attacks are an emotional problem, so to have your babies with you, will sure give you much comfort!

Best wishes, and God Bless you!

Jenn sweetie - you sound like you're doing this for very legitement reasons and as far as dizzy spells and panic attacks - I can easily see how you could train them to assist you -

The woman (Debbie) who runs Cosettes Closet has her yorkie TRAINED to dial 911 for her on a special phone - she has seizures and her dog has literally saved her life. I've spoken to her personally on the phone & if she is still online I bet she would be happy to talk to you. Do you want me to get her email for you ?

Thanks Vee. :p Yes that would be awesome!!

Wow Jen I had no idea. Way to go for training them to get your bag, that's a very good idea. you said that you can't even tell when you're going to have these attacks. Well you never know, one day one of the furkids might be able to tell you when you're going to have an attack. I don't know how they do it, but they can sense when something is different. Like how Tucker can tell when my mom's sugar drops.

Aw Jen - no one is perfect in this world except a perfect a$$hole so hold your head up high and thanks for sharing even though I know it was tough for you.:ghug: I know you are a tough lady, girlfriend and we are here to support you.

Vee is correct about the wonderful story of this woman who owns Cosettes Closet. Here is her website. She has been written up in many Yorkie articles and she does have fabulous products for Yorkies.

http://www.cosettescloset.com/

Thank you :p and thanks for the link!!