The List Goes On and On: SD Checklist

Hello there!

Somehow, my original SD checklist got converted into Wingdings 2, and I was unable to convert it back properly.  So, I've needed to repost this blog entry, but fortunately, that means I can update the checklist with important items I've encountered over the past year.

A beautiful day: check!

My girl says she was very confused when she first started shopping for SD supplies, because she had never had a Service Dog before, so she wasn't sure what she needed (in addition to the items she would need for a pet dog, of course).  Therefore, to help other beginning SD and SDiT teams, I have snuffled around my basket of supplies and found almost everything that my girl has gotten for us.

Here's a checklist of what you might need as a beginning (or even seasoned) SD Team:
(note, these are recommendations: every team is different and requires their own unique set of gear, so not all the gear listed may apply to you and your dog)

• Vest and/or Cape and/or Harness
• Popular brands/places to acquire are: WireDog, Raspberry Field, Amazon, OneTigris, Dog Capes, Active Dogs, Bold Lead Designs
• Small business owners and Etsy sellers (for more customized vests) include: MuttButt Gear (insta), Riverdog Gear (etsy), Cozyhorse (etsy), Patienceandlove143 (etsy), Coppers Customs (insta), DD Service Dog Designs (Facebook)
• Backpacks/pouches/saddlebags (for carrying emergency info/meds if your vest doesn't have pockets)
• Head Collar (Gentle Leader and Halti are two popular brands)
• Collar
• Rabies tag
• Microchip tag
• ID tag
• Local city/state license
• SD and/or ICE Do Not Separate from Handler tag (you can custom makes these from a normal pet tag)
• Patches for Vest/Cape
• Check out: Creative Clam, Danny and Luann's Embroidery, Amazon, Ebay, Etsy (Christine's Custom Patches and others), Instagram (MuttButt Gear and others)
• Do Not Pet/Do Not Distract/Ignore Me (HIGHLY recommended that you have at least one patch like this in an attempt to deter the public from distracting your SD)
• Leash Sleeve/Slip/Cover (in my humble opinion, Patienceandlove143 on Etsy makes the best)
• I currently have PLEASE IGNORE ME and STAY BACK
• Documentation (NOTE: this is NOT legally required)
• However, if you're flying with a PSD/ESA, you will need a note from a mental health professional who is currently treating you.
• If you are a college student, having a copy of your school's SD policy and/or the ADA can help with access issues
• ADA cards: they're these nifty little cards that state the law briefly, so you can educate people when you have access issues.  Amazon sells them, although there are also some variations to be found elsewhere on the internet (including Etsy).
• Booties
• For the summertime to protect against heat (Ruffwear has great booties.  Make sure the booties have thick soles for maximum protection)
• For the wintertime to protect against the chemicals to melt ice (Pawz booties are great for bootie-sensitive dogs because they're like little rubber socks)
• Raincoat (patches can be helpful)
• Winter coat (patches can be helpful)
• Medical ID bracelet (for the human handler, of course!)
• There are some super cute ones online if you look in the right places!  My ID Doctor has excellent service though.
• Car harness (because you don't want your medical equipment flying through the windshield)
• I recommend ClickIt Sport by Sleepypod: I don't have it (yet), but I've heard great reviews.
• Walmart and Amazon also carry decent harnesses (my AKC harness from Amazon saved my life!)
• Cooling collar/coat (Ruffwear and Etsy have good ones)
• Portable water bowl
• They flatten into little disks!  So convenient!  The carabiner can clip right onto your SD's harness.

Don't hesitate to let me know if I'm missing anything, and stay tuned for PUPdates!

xoxo

Kelsie Iris

Check out these other posts of mine:
SD team etiquette
Don't distract SDs
Spoon Theory
Confused? See my terms and abbreviations

16Xcting Start to the Summer

Hello!

My summertime setup!

It's been a while since I last posted--between my girl being sick with a mystery illness and then both of us starting our Sophomore Summer at Dartmouth, I haven't quite had the time for blogging.  I love working again though!  As much as I felt sorry that my girl was sick this spring, it was pretty boring not working except for doctors' offices and the pharmacy.  A dog like me needs a job, and I'm happy to be back to doing mine!

Waiting through a 4-hour x-ray with my girl: so bored.

It's funny: my job is very different from what either my girl or I imagined back in the spring of 2015 when we first met.  I was going to be primarily a Psychiatric Service Dog, and my girl knew what tasks I would need to learn in order to help her live a more normal life.  Over a year has passed and some doctors have changed, and things are a little different now.  My girl has a few health issues that either:
A) were dismissed or never addressed
and/or
B) have significantly worsened over the past year.
You can imagine that my job has changed alongside these changes.  I am now a Psychiatric, Medical Alert and Response, and (Light) Mobility Service Dog--try saying that three times fast!  Basically, I'm the ATV of the SD world.  Some of my new tasks include picking up dropped items so my girl doesn't get dizzy, alerting her to some medical conditions, counterbalancing, and even some light guide work.  I'm even in the middle of learning how to pull her to her feet--I'm too small for bracing, but I'm a very strong puller (you should watch me play tug-o-war sometime) and am learning how to use my tugging in a productive manner.  Most dogs are discouraged from tugging, but now I'm being encouraged!

We're still getting used to medical alerts--sometimes I'm not sure when I should alert, sometimes my girl doesn't understand what I'm alerting to (unless it's paired with another symptom), and sometimes my girl doesn't even recognize my alerts as alerts.  The language barrier between us can be so frustrating sometimes!  It's been a good challenge for me to take on these new roles.  The major setback is not knowing what is ailing my girl--it's hard for us to know exactly what will help her if we don't know what's wrong with her.  But, in the meantime, I'm doing the best I can to help her out.

This is my bed; I just let my girl sleep in it.

Anyways, it's time for this pup to head to bed and claim MY side of the bed (my girl will try to tell you that I steal her spot--don't listen to her).
Cheers for now,
Kittery's That One Arrow CGC
"Kelsie Iris"

PS Yes, I do actually have a registered name now!  My girl signed me up with the AKC's Canine Partners, and she had the option to give me a "registered" name and went with it!  Now, it's not an official registered name like a purebred dog would have, but it's still my full legal name.  It may seem random, but it actually has a lot of meaning: Kittery is where my girl picked me up, and the arrow refers to Book IV of the Aeneid, which relates to both my first name Kelsie and my middle name Iris.

PPS You might be confused about the title of my post: it comes from the way Dartmouth names its terms.  Each term has the year followed by the season's letter.  Fall is F, Winter is W, Spring is S, and Summer is X.  Therefore, this term is 16X.  Hope that clarifies things for everybody!

Check out these other posts of mine:
SD team etiquette
Don't distract SDs
Spoon Theory
Confused? See my terms and abbreviations