PBC Week II: Bend and Snap

Greetings!

If you didn't catch my title's reference, here's some help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-4tIs00NvM .  Before reading the rest of my post, please go watch Legally Blonde @now (as Dartmouth students say--see? I'm getting the lingo!).  I'm pretty sure it's on Netflix and there's a dog in it, and those are the only two real reasons to watch anything (especially the latter, because--and I might be biased--dogs are pretty fantastic).

Anyway, I'm running quite behind in my PBC pupdates, because Week II has already come and gone!  Mom and I have been working hard, as usual.  We've had training sessions, outings, and even social events together, and I've even gotten to do some real-life tasking, which, while it sucks for Mom, always makes me really happy because I love knowing that I can help.

The major theme of this week was the command "Get It."  I've known this command since Day 1 practically, but Mom's really only used it with toys and playtime.  I never really even knew that it could be a task.  But it can!  And it helps Mom so much: she's been getting these dizzy/nauseated/migraine spells that have been increasing in frequency and duration, and they make it difficult for her to bend over to pick up items on the ground (like something she dropped, particularly my leash when she has to put it down to buy something at a store).  That's where "Get It" comes in handy, because I can give her anything at which she points.  Eventually, she wants me to learn the names of particular items, but for now, "Get It" is our main focus.

Like I mentioned earlier, I already knew "Get It" to some extent, so it was easy for Mom to shape my playing behaviour into a working task.  We started out with doing a lot of "Get It" with different toys of mine.  She'd drop or throw one and then ask me to "Get It," I'd go pick it up and hand it to her (often without a "Give" prompting--go me!), and then we'd repeat.  Eventually, she took off her shirt (don't ask me why--humans do weird things sometimes), and when she dropped it on the ground, I was a little confused at first.  But since we'd been playing beforehand, I was in a super good mood where anything and everything seems like a toy to me, so I picked it up and handed it to her--needless to say, I got a massive reward and got to do my Victory Dance (where I wiggle and Mom lets me jump on her).

I got to see my Chihuahua friend Lucky twice this week, two days in a row.  We don't really play together as much as we just lie on the couch while our Moms talk (literally for hours), but I still like having a friend.  Mom says I'll definitely get to see him again during Winterim!

One of our outings involved (yet another) doctor's appointment, except this one lasted two hours.  I'm actually so glad that I'm older and am not a wiggly puppy, because it required a lot of patience to lie quietly for such a long time.  I hope Mom didn't notice when I took a quick nap on the job...  I'll be honest, though, if I had to choose between Mom's doctor's appointments or my vet appointments, I'd definitely choose her appointments!  Both of my vets are super sweet, but the place just gives me a weird feeling.  Anyway, the doctor was super sweet, and she even gave me a tummy rub when Mom said it was okay for her to pet me (which surprised me, because she never lets people pet me when I'm working).  Mom says she's glad I approve, because she really likes this new doctor, too.  It's not the last doctor's appointment of Winterim, but I don't really mind as long as I get to stick by Mom's side.

The weirdest but most wonderful event of the week happened on Wednesday: Mom dressed me up in a gold bow (because she was on the Gold Team and was wearing too much blue, whatever that means.  She says it's a school thing), and she took me to her primary school, which she attended from kindergarten through eighth grade.  We had to sign in as visitors, and I even got to wear my own name tag!  Mom chatted with some former teachers and then took me into a large, empty ex-gymnasium with a stage and bleachers.  Except it wasn't empty for long: in just the twitch of a nose, over 400 small humans started filling the auditorium!  Some were older but some were so tiny and adorable, and all who passed me commented on me (and how beautiful I am).  Apparently, this gathering of humans happens once a week and is called Assembly, and Mom said I did really well at my first one.  There was a lot of standing and sitting and clapping (but not usual clapping, like when I was at a play on Sunday), so it was pretty confusing, if you can imagine it.  But eventually I decided (as per usual) that humans are crazy and just went with the flow of things.  After that, we visited what was my mom's math classroom for three years and chatted with her former math teacher (who she says is the best teacher in the world), while the students talked to Mom about me and asked really polite questions, even more polite than the questions we usually get from adults.  Once the students left for the day, Mom gave me the "Break" command, and I used it to snooze a little while Mom and her teacher reminisced about events as far back as 2007--yes, that's how old Mom is!  Can you believe it?

I have a very important surprise that I want to share with you all, but I can't until it arrives!  Stay tuned!

Wags,
Kelsie Iris, CGC




Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations --http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

PBC Week I: Things That Go Bump in the Night

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving to all my readers!

I've been so wrapped up in holidays and training that I've completely forgotten to post about the last two weeks of training--whoops!  I've also been really distracted by the fact that Mom is back in town--I still can't believe she's still around the house after being gone for two months.  There's been quite a bit of snuggling and tummy rubbing and general loving.  I've even occasionally let her have more than just the corner of our bed at night (don't tell her, but when she's asleep, I slowly take over the bed again).

My first week of PBC started off immediately the morning after Mom came home.  Although she was out of spoons from the term and traveling, that didn't mean I could wiggle my way out of a day of training.  It's not like I'd want to get out of training, anyway: I really do love my job, and learning new things keeps life interesting for me.  Mom says it's crucial for a smart girl like me to learn new things often--she says I'm going to be a lifelong learner.  Maybe one day I'll know over 100 commands!  (I'm getting close)

We quickly brushed over some basics, as well as my known tasks, but of course I already knew them!  Did she really think I'd forget everything in two months?  So she decided to give me a challenge.  I watched as she set chairs and stools around the backyard.  We'd never done anything like this before, so I wasn't really sure what was going to happen.  Usually, I train naked because Mom says it's important for a SD to follow commands and be on duty with or without a vest on.  She wants to make sure I know to listen to her even when I'm not officially working.  On that day, though, Mom decided to put me in my first vest, my blue Active Dogs vest, with one addition: a pull strap.

I should preface by saying that Mom has never taught guide work before and couldn't really find any How To in book or web form,* so it was a learning process for both of us.  Then again, my career so far with her has been a constant learning process for both of us, because I haven't been a SD before and she's never trained a SD before.  She's learned many of the tasks I now know along the way.

Anyway, she started by giving me the command "Forward," which I didn't yet know, and having me walk forward, except there was one problem: there were objects in the way!  Every time we would encounter an object, I would stop (duh), but she would say, "Uh oh," which is my cue that I didn't do something quite right.  I couldn't figure out what I wasn't doing right, though, and luckily Mom quickly caught on.  So we tried something different.

She took me to a patch of the backyard with no obstacles and asked me "Forward" again, but this time, she lured me with a treat and didn't keep pace with me so that I had to pull against my vest a bit.  After a few steps, she rewarded me.  We did this a pawful of times, and suddenly it just clicked for me.  I understood that with "Forward," I can break my "Heel" to pull, which I know I shouldn't do normally.  Once I understood that, it became a lot easier for me to learn how to guide Mom around obstacles.  I definitely didn't learn guide work in a day and am still working on it quite a bit, but Mom says she's really impressed by my progress.

Back to playtime!

And also back to work... and photoshoots!

As far as my personal life goes, I had a great first Thanksgiving with Mom, and I even got to pretend I was a person for a little bit.  Mixed in with my usual dinner (of Blue Buffalo kibble with a few forkfuls of carefully selected canned food), I received sweet potato chunks, a few green beans, gravy, and chicken.  I've come to the conclusion that I really like Thanksgiving!

But I also like the part of Thanksgiving where you're grateful about things in your life, because I am so grateful for so much this year, ranging from being happy that my baby Uno has a happy home in Connecticut to being adopted myself to having a seemingly endless supply of balls at my disposal (seriously, where do they all come from??? Does Mom own some kind of a ball tree???).  It's been a really, really good year for a pup like me.  And there's still a month left!

Until next time,
Kelsie Iris, CGC


*Just a note: Mom isn't blind or visually impaired.  Guide work can actually be very useful for many SD teams outside of just Guide Dog teams.  Also, just tossing it out there, the term actually is "Guide Dog," not "Seeing Eye Dog," unless that specific dog actually comes from The Seeing Eye.

Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

Puppy Boot Camp: A Sneak Peak

Long time no speak, readers!

While I have missed Mom intensely over the past few weeks and have worried about how she's doing without a Service Dog by her side (and have also been disappointed not to see Italy--I would love to travel internationally someday!), I have actually had an amazing time with my Grand Humom at home.  I've essentially had the closest thing to a vacation that I can get as a working dog (at least until I retire).

My Grand Humom definitely spoiled me!  I got so many new toys that she gave me another basket to keep them in--one of my favourites was definitely the rubber chicken.  Oftentimes, since the weather has been so lovely here, she would go swimming, and we would play a game called Drop It Get It, where she'd ask me to drop a ball in the pool and then pick it up again.  It's kind of like what humans do in bobbing for apples.  My Grand Humom also took me on adventures, including the Dog Beach that Mom and I visited this summer.  I had fun (of course), but the best part was actually at the end: we ran into a Chinese Crested named Arnie and his trainer.  The trainer was really impressed that I was an owner-trained Service Dog, and with Grand Humom's permission, he put me through my paces a little bit.  Watching me, he called me brilliant and very well-trained, which absolutely made my day!  I love hearing that I'm just as special as Mom tells me I am--it's so validating.

Here's my Chinese Crested friend Arnie!  Isn't he cute?

Luckily, now the long wait is over, and Mom has returned safe and sound (and exhausted) from Italy.  I think we're both pretty happy to be together again.  Once her final paper is in, we will have six weeks of vacation before we return

to Dartmouth for winter term--dubbed "Winterim" by Dartmouth students, it's a time which we will be utilizing to polish my tasks and manners as a Service Dog, so that when I return to campus, I will be the paragon of the perfect Service Dog.  My goal, which I share with Mom, is to blow everyone on campus away with my manners, intelligence, and perceptiveness.

While Winterim will be a break for most Dartmouth students, Mom and I are going to be working very hard.  Because of the intensity of the training regimen, we've dubbed our Winterim work "Puppy Boot Camp" (PBC).  I would love to provide an update every day during PBC, since I'll be learning new tasks and going to exciting places, but the days are going to require all my focus and energy, meaning I'll be tired by the end of the day.  Mom has promised me that I will get at least one day completely off once a week to just be a dog, so I'll be updating my lovely readers about once a week when I have my break.

So, what will PBC entail?  Mom and I are still hammering out the details--and the schedule will probably be adjusted as PBC progresses--but we'll be focusing on a number of different areas where I can improve, with specific focus on strengthening task training and encountering unusual situations.  Here is some of what you can expect over the coming weeks:

1. Commands (New and Review)

• Guide work (new!)
• Light counterbalance (new!)
• Greet (new!)
• Get/Take
• Break v. On Duty (learning that I can actually act like a dog sometimes when my vest is on)
• Get Busy (with focus on different surfaces and circumstances)

2. Experiences

• Ignoring food: completing the Food Challenge (wait to see what it is!) and ignoring food offered to me by people other than Mom
• Wearing booties constantly (not looking forward to this)
• Boat/standup paddle boarding
• Increased vigilance for alerts and interruption (even when not on duty)

3. Oh, the Places I'll Go!

• School environments (including primary school and high school)
• UCI and UCLA (hopefully I'll be able to sit in on a class
• The Zoo
• A Movie
• The Dog Park (on duty around other dogs and toys)
• Disneyland (BIG goal)

Get it?  I'm a tennis player for Halloween because I have a tennis ball.

Are you excited?  I know I am!  It's going to be hard, but Mom believes in me so I think I can handle it.  Wish me luck, and I'll keep you all PUPdated!

xoxoxo

Kelsie Iris, CGC

Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

Seattle Recap: Paradise

When your humom takes an hour to get ready in the morning...
PS I got to sleep on the bed!  I loved it.

Hello dear readers!

I have returned from temperate Seattle!  My paws have pranced upon the ground of many states, and I think Washington might be one of my favourites.  It has New Hampshire's green beauty, but it has a touch of special magic that the (Wild) West offers.  It's a pretty special place (Mom likens it to Montana, which is very high praise).

My girl and I stayed with her family, which included my human uncle and aunt, as well as my tiny human cousin.  I loved my little cousin--we're similar in height, weight, and age, so we made perfect playmates for one another.  He also shares my love of balls and quickly learned how to throw one for me.  He became quite the good little thrower!  My human uncle also had an affinity for throwing balls for me and could throw them much farther than my girl or the tiny human could--he was my favourite thrower of my trip.  While my aunt didn't share as much of the love of balls as everyone else, she made me feel so special by being sweet to me and by complimenting me for being a good dog, and I really liked getting to spend time around her.  The whole family is so wonderful and sweet, and they made me feel like I belonged there with them--I would easily stay with them again anytime!  It's honestly too bad that Mom goes to school across the country, but we'll try to visit as often as the D-Plan will allow.  I want to be able to watch the tiny human grow!

The house in which I stayed sat right upon a beautiful lake surrounded by lush trees--every morning I woke up to the sound of waves lapping upon the shore and geese quietly talking to one another.  I soon saw it as my house (my logic: we stayed the night, therefore we live there now), so I barked at strangers who came by (and occasionally my uncle when I forgot he lived there--oops!).  I loved playing fetch in real grass and clover, and I couldn't get enough playtime, especially since everyone indulged me.  When not playing fetch, I splashed a lot in the lake because I love water, nibbled at Asian pears, and attempted to hunt ducks (unfortunately, I was not able to catch one for dinner).  It truly was puppy paradise!  I asked Mom if we could live there forever, but she said we had to go home because of school--she promised, though, that we could go back, and I'm going to hold her to it because I can't imagine a better place to frolic and snuggle and play and snooze.

I rocked my work both at the airport and around the Seattle area.  Mom had quite a few anxiety flare ups throughout the trip, including at both airports, so I got to do what I was adopted and trained to do: help her.  Mom says I did some of the best blocks she's ever seen me do--I felt so proud of myself for handling everything so well!  I was invisible when I needed to be and ignored people's comments to me like I'm supposed to do.  Whenever my vest was on, I acted like the Service Dog I am.  The only hiccup was at the Seattle airport on the way home: I was super nervous about having the TSA officer pat me down.  Mom has told me not to worry about it, though, because I was having a really bad day--I woke up with my tail between my legs and unfortunately didn't manage to shake the feeling before I fell asleep that night.  That being said, I still did my job and even, according to Mom, excelled at it.  Her safety and comfort come first, no matter what I'm feeling (she'll tell you that my safety and comfort come first, but I'm really the one taking care of her).

All in all, I'd say it was an amazing trip, and I even got a full day of vacation.  One day, many tiny humans and their parents came to the backyard (I'm still not sure why, but Mom has assured me that humans sometimes do this--it's called a party, apparently).  All day long, I got to play ball with the tiny humans and splash in the water with them!  It was an amazingly fun day.  My girl says I behaved really well around the tiny humans, especially when one pulled my tail, but of course I was good--I always try to be a good girl! (and it helps that I was fostered with a tiny human)  I couldn't stop wagging my tail the whole day, especially with all the praise and attention I received.

My favourite quote from my trip came from a security guard at the airport, who offered to do anything for me that my girl needed: "They [service dogs] do so much for us--it's the least we could do for them."  Sometimes people really are special!

I've been pretty content and quiet since I've gotten home, and I'm excited to see what these last few summer weeks have in store for my girl and me.

xoxoxo
Kelsie Iris



Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

Please Don't Distract Working Dogs

If there is one post of mine that you ever read, let it be this one.  If there is one post of mine that you take to heart, let it be this one.  If there is one post of mine that you share with all your friends and family and coworkers and random strangers, let it be this one.

Why?  This post is a PSA about the importance of not distracting a working dog: distracting a Service Dog can seriously hurt its handler.  It can also undo years of training and force the dog to retire early, leaving the disabled handler without his/her source of independence.  I know I've said it many times in many posts, but it cannot be said enough.

Distractions include, but are not limited to:

• petting
• touching
• staring
• barking at/making noises at/speaking to the dog
• attempting to feed/feeding the dog
• making direct eye contact with the dog
• separating the dog from its handler
• interfering with the dog's job or task
• taking your /child over to the dog to "say hello"
• any interaction with the dog without permission of its handler in that specific moment

Service Dogs are their handlers' lifelines.  Distracting a service dog can directly lead to the harm, injury, hospitalization, and even death of the handler.  Only mere seconds of distraction can lead to massive consequences for the handler.  Dogs are very cute, but is petting that dog really worth risking someone's life?  Would you deny someone their Epipen during a life-threatening allergic reaction?  A Service Dog is not there for your amusement: it is there to aid its handler.

This is the real life consequence of only seconds of distraction.
(This photo is used with the original user's permission.)

If the reality of the photo didn't sink in, please take a minute to read this article and see why it's so incredibly important to let Service dogs--and any working dogs--just do their job.  Beyond that, interfering with someone's medical equipment is disrespectful to that person and is a sign of ableism.  And if any of the moral reasons haven't convinced yourself just to ignore Service Dogs and let them do their jobs, then know this: it is illegal to interfere with a Service Dog, and depending on the state, you will have to pay hefty fines and/or spend time in jail.

So please, if you see me or any other service dog out with its handler, do not acknowledge us.  If you see a service dog, ignore it.  It's that simple.


Thank you,
Kelsie Iris

Edited to Add:  This is probably my most important post about interacting with Service Dogs.  However, it's probably not my most important post of all time.  I strongly believe that my best and most impactful posts are the ones in which I discuss health and illness, especially mental health and its stigma.  So please, even if you really do take this post to heart, don't forget to take other posts to heart as well.  Thank you!  On that note, you might want to read this post and this post.



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

The Name's Iris, Kelsie Iris CGC

Posing with my CGC ribbon and bouquet!

I have some super exciting news to share with everyone: on Tuesday night, I passed my Canine Good Citizen Test!  I've been working towards this test for a long time, and even though I could have passed it a couple of months ago, I'm still so happy to have earned my CGC title.  I'm so proud of my new name: Kelsie Iris CGC.

For those who don't know, the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen test rewards dogs who have basic obedience training and exhibit good behavior, as well as responsible dog owners.  A dog must pass all 10 test items in order to pass (click here for a description of all ten items, as well as the pledge that owners must take beforehand).  To give you a brief idea of what the test covers, here is a brief overview of the 10 test items:

1. Accepting a Friendly Stranger
2. Sitting Politely for Petting
3. Appearance and Grooming
4. Out for a Walk (Walking on a Loose Lead)
5. Walking through a Crowd
6. Sit and Down on Command and Staying in Place
7. Coming When Called
8. Reaction to Another Dog
9. Reaction to Distraction
10. Supervised Separation

 I passed all 10 tests with flying colors!  I was even arguably the top dog in my class--but I'm a Service Dog, so that makes sense!  For test #8, everyone got to pick the dog and handler with whom they wanted to test, and everyone except one pair chose me as their tester dog because I was so well-behaved.  Mom was so proud of me, and even the evaluator commented that he wasn't surprised that I was so popular.  I received tons of compliments from the other handlers and many belly rubs from Mom--I came home wagging my tail and wearing the biggest puppy smile!

The CGC is a good test for all dogs to take.  Mom tells people that it's kind of like grade school/high school for humans, because it covers the various aspects of a dog's basic education for in and out of the home.  Since it's foundation in 1989, the CGC has become widely popular, and many groups--from PetCo to national breed clubs--now offer the test, often on a regular basis.  Many therapy dog organizations use the test to certify their dogs, and some apartments require that dogs pass the CGC in order to be allowed to live in the apartment.  So all in all, the CGC can be a very important and useful test for dogs to take!  If you have a canine partner, whether he/she is just a pet or is a working dog, I highly recommend that you sign up for the CGC.

Note that passing the CGC does NOT "certify" your dog as a Service Dog.  However, it's a good test for all Service Dogs to pass, especially owner-trained Service Dogs in the event that your legitimacy as a Service Dog is tried in court.

Huge tail wags and puppy kisses,
Kelsie Iris

Ready for My Bark Mitzvah: Reflections on Mental Health

Hello everyone!

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post--I used to be so eager to post that I would make myself wait a few days between posts just to give my readers a break!  Now it seems like I've gone far too long between updates.  I've just been so busy recently with my training that I'm too tired at the end of the day to blog (and Mom is usually fast asleep by the time it occurs to me to blog).  I've been working hard on becoming the SD that my Mom believes I can be, so this summer is just flying by.

First off, I want to say happy third month-iversary to my girl and me!  I can't believe how quickly the time has flown.  I remember stepping off the transport truck and seeing her for the first time and realizing that I finally had a forever home.  Now we're the best of friends and do everything together--we even share a bed!

Last night, I went to Temple for the first time.  The Rabbi told Mom that he would love to have me there, which was very nice of him since under the ADA, he doesn't have to allow that.  My girl and I were so grateful!  It's no surprise though that after all this time, this was only my first time going to temple: my girl doesn't really consider herself Jewish (or at least not as much as the rest of her family...she tells me that it's complicated).  We went last night to see two speakers discuss mental illness in society, which, of course, is super relevant to the both of us!

Studying for my Bark Mitzvah!

Both speakers were highly qualified to speak on the subject.  One, the Rabbi's brother, is a former Senator who actively advocates for mental health, and the other is a USC professor who has struggled with schizophrenia for years and has created an illustrious career for herself at the law school (I got to meet her afterwards and she thought it was awesome that there are SDs for mental illnesses!).  I would love to go on and on about both of their speeches, which were each inspiring in their own right, but for once, I want to keep this short and sweet.  I want to keep this short, because I feel like it'll hit home easier for my readers.  I want to keep this short, because it'll make you see what I feel is truly important about both of the speeches and what I took away from the night at temple (apart from the rising and sitting and singing and all that fun stuff).

So, here are my reflections on mental health, some of which come directly from the speeches and some of which are my own thoughts inspired by the speeches:

• Why is it that we give flowers to patients who have stayed in the hospital for physical illnesses but not mental/psychological illnesses?
• There's a story of a patient who went to the ER with headaches and short-term memory loss.  Upon seeing the patient's medical history of mental illness, the ER wrote off her symptoms as a psychotic episode.  In reality, she had an aneurism.  Stop the stigma against mental illness.
• Forced hospitalization and especially restraint are not the answer.  They can even make the problem worse by leading to more mental illness (like PTSD).  Also, people with mental illness are people, not animals or objects.  They deserve respect and compassion--force shows neither respect nor compassion.
• Let's stop whispering.  Everyone used to whisper the word cancer.  Now people are open about fighting cancer and being survivors.  Why can't this be the same with mental illness?
• Support systems, affirmation, and understanding can change everything.
• We need to stop victim blaming.  Suicide is a symptom, not a choice; it's a result, not an action.
• Mental illness is not failure, just as physical illness is not failure.  Those living with mental illness can lead functional, normal (whatever "normal" actually is) lives, even successful lives.
•  Be the change you wish to see in the world.  This change needs to occur now.

In other news, the ADA recently updated its FAQ section regarding Service Dogs.  I won't go through every question here, but I highly recommend that you take a little time to go onto the website (click here) and learn about the rules regarding Service Dogs.  I would, however, like to focus on one of the questions, number 17.  Unlike the other questions, it has an added little grey box under it that further clarifies the question.  It states that:

"There are individuals and organizations that sell service animal certification or registration documents online.  These documents do not convey any rights under the ADA and the Department of Justice does not recognize them as proof that the dog is a service animal."

Screenshot of Question 17

This is HUGE! As you can read in my rant against fake Service Dogs, I've already noted the problem with these companies that sell SD "certification" for anyone's Fido and how these companies hurt legitimate Service Dog teams.  For a long time, this has been known in the SD community, but no where was it said explicitly that these companies were not legitimate.  Now, finally, the world has a way of seeing that you can't just buy Fido certification, call him a Service Dog, and be okay under the law.  Now, finally, businesses and individuals can see their rights and what does and does not qualify as a Service Dog.  Now, finally, things are stepping in the right direction.

I know I've said it before, but I have to say it again: please, if you know anyone who is trying to pass off their pet as a Service Dog, educate them on the very real damage they do to legitimate Service Dog teams.  Passing off Fido as a Service Dog is the same as buying a wheelchair and getting better access to the rides at Disneyland when you have nothing wrong with you.  It's wrong, it's rude, and it's ungrateful towards the fact that you are healthy and able-bodied.  So please, leave Fido and Fluffy at home and let us, the Service Dogs, protect and care for our handlers in peace.

Tail wags and puppy kisses,
Kelsie Iris


Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html 

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a...Service Dog?

Bossy the Boston Lobster and I on our first flight ever!

I write to you from underneath a seat at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport!  Since I just completed my first flight on an airplane, I thought I'd share some of my tips and tricks for how to navigate flying with a Service Dog by your side, since Mom had no clue what she was doing until now.  I hope I can help make flying easier for other SD teams, as well as ESA teams!

Before the Flight:

·      Call ahead of time to let the airline know that you are bringing a Service Dog with you.  Some airlines, like Delta, need to know the breed and weight of your dog in order to make appropriate accommodations for you.

·      If you have a PSD (or an ESA), have your psychiatrist write a letter beforehand.  The letter should explain that you have a disability as recorded in the DSM and that you require/are prescribed a Service Dog for the flight (and/or at the destination).  Check with the airline beforehand to see if there’s any specific wording that you need.  Note: having a doctor’s note on you is always a good way to “prove” that you have a verifiable disability that requires a SD.

·      Start limiting water and food intake the night before—you don’t want any accidents at the airport!  Even the best-trained SD can have an accident in an airport or on the plane.  Make sure to potty the pup as soon as possible before and after the flight, especially if you are taking a flight more than a few hours long.  Consider having a layover if your flight is more than three or four hours long to make sure your pup is comfortable.

·      Prepare an accident cleanup kit, because accidents do happen!  Paper towels and/or wipes are a must, as well as dog bags.  Some air freshener isn’t a bad idea either!

·      Make a pup pack, complete with everything your pup might need, the night before.  You might want to include items like a water bottle (I recommend the Gulpy), a little bit of food and/or treats (especially for rewarding in difficult situations), medications (if necessary), and anything you may need immediately upon arrival (eg a puppy seatbelt).

·      Exercise, exercise, exercise!  Try to tire your pup out the day before and morning of, especially if you have a long flight, so that your SD can happily snooze on the plane.

At the Airport:

·      Locate a pet relief area and make sure to utilize it before you go through security (especially because oftentimes it’s located outside the airport—there are only a few airports with indoor pet relief areas).  I recommend using it after you have checked in your bags, because then you’re letting your pup relieve him or herself as close to the flight as possible, which helps you in the long run.

·      Have your documentation handy, whether that’s in your hand, in your bag, or in your pup’s saddlebag, or all three.  You definitely want things to go as smoothly as possible for you—you’re already dealing with a disability, so you don’t need life to be any harder for you.

·      Pro tip: at the gate, ask for Pre Boarding.  Most likely, the attendants will agree to this, and you will be able to board before everyone else so that you and your pup are already tucked away by the time the rabble begins to board.  This will protect paws and tails from getting squished under careless feet!

·      Note that you’ll probably have to go through a normal scanner and might have to undergo a body search, because that special security scanner where you throw your hands up in the air doesn’t accommodate pups. 

On the Plane:

·      First: breathe!  Mom was so worried that I’d be scared on the plane that she nearly gave herself a panic attack.  Best case scenario: your pup will rock it and be the perfect plane companion, like I somehow managed to do despite the fact it was my first time on a plane.  Worst case scenario: your pup has a few issues and makes a few mistakes.  Honestly, it’s not the end of the world.  We all make mistakes our first time doing anything, and your pup probably will, too.  Just roll with it and try to make your pup as comfy as possible—the flight will be over soon!

·      There are three places your pup will be, depending on how and where you’re seated, as well as what size your SD is: the floor, the seat next to you, or your lap.  Figure out which works best for you, and do your best to make it work.  Your neighbor(s) may or may not be dog-friendly, but it is your right to sit in your seat—they can always switch with someone.  Most likely, the floor is probably your best option, but if you’re like me, you’ll magically transform into a lap dog (despite your 35 pounds) when you get on a plane!

I hope this helps out any future SD teams who fly!  It's definitely a tricky world to navigate, so I definitely recommend being prepared and doing your research beforehand.  If you've flown before with a pup and have had some other experiences, don't hesitate to share any of your tips and tricks for flying--I'd love to add them to my post.

Until next time,

Kelsie Iris

Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html   

"Sorry, I'm All Out Spoons": The Spoon Theory

"Hey, do you want to go grab coffee with me in an hour?"
"Sorry, I can't--I'm all out of spoons for today."

How will you use your spoons today?

What does this mean?  If you don't know about the Spoon Theory, this probably seems like an odd response.  What do spoons have to do with being available for coffee?  And yet, spoons have everything with being able to go grab coffee with a friend, pulling weeds from your garden, or even getting up out of bed in the morning.  The Spoon Theory demonstrates the difference between "normal" people and those with physical or psychological difficulties in experiencing day-to-day existence.  So what exactly is the Spoon Theory?

The Spoon Theory goes like this: Everybody gets some number of spoons to use throughout their day like currency.  "Normal" people, those without any major life-limiting factors, start out with an unlimited number of spoons.  Those with some kind of medical issue, however, start out with, say, 15 spoons that they can use at any point throughout the day.  Every activity throughout the course of the day costs a certain number of spoons--for example, brushing your teeth might be one spoon, while going to a doctor's appointment might be four or five spoons.  The number of spoons that an activity costs varies depending on the individual and his or her specific difficulties in life.  For someone who is mobility-impaired, even lifting up an object can cost a spoon, while for an able-bodied individual, it might not even cost a spoon.
People with limited spoons have to worry about how and when they use their spoons on any given day, because they can run out of spoons very early in the day if they aren't careful.  But sometimes being careful isn't enough: sometimes a day calls for more spoons than you have, in which case, not even your best planning could prevent you from running out of spoons, and it can be very difficult to replenish spoons before the start of the next day.

Then what's the purpose of the Spoon Theory?  Sometimes "normal" people have a difficult time understanding what it's like to live with a life-limiting difficulty, because they know no other reality than their own existence.  It can be easy for them to tell someone who is, say, depressed, "But coffee with a friend will make you feel happy," instead of understanding why that person can't go (and for the record, that statement also represents a misunderstanding of what depression is).  The metaphor of the Spoon Theory bridges that gap in understanding.  It boils down the complexity of life into a simple scenario, but one that is powerful and that works.  Instead of having to explain every detail of why it's so impossible to just get coffee with someone, you can just tell them that you're out of spoons, and if they know the Theory, then they'll understand exactly why you can't.  It also protects your own confidentiality, since you don't have to bear any stigmas by explaining your situation further.  It creates a neutral playing field where everyone can understand one another and be more tolerant.

Please help spread the Spoon Theory--together, we can spread understanding, love, and tolerance for other people and the difficulties they face on a day-to-day basis.  And please, if someone tells you that they're all out of spoons for the day, be understanding--some day, you might experience a situation where you run out of spoons, too.  I hope the Spoon Theory can make us all more sensitive to each other's situations and individual difficulties that we face.  I really do hope we can create a more tolerant world where it's okay to cancel coffee because you're all out of spoons, where you don't even need an excuse any more than "I'm out of spoons."   And I hope we can love each other through it all and lend a spoon wherever possible.

xoxoxo
Kelsie Iris


Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

Library Log: Written from Beneath a Desk

Hello, dear readers!

I write to you from beneath a desk at the public library while Mom cranks out her final essay.  It's surprisingly spacious down here--I have plenty of room to flop on my side (Mom is trying to teach me that this position is called "Settle," although I seem to do it naturally!).  My girl has been typing away for three hours now, so apart from napping and keeping an eye on her to make sure she's okay (PUPdate: she is), I have not much to do.  Thus, I write to you!

If Mom could spare a minute right now, she'd tell you that I'm acing my training, especially right now.  I have tried to be as invisible as possible in the library, and it's working!  So many people haven't even noticed that I'm here that sometimes I wonder if they can even see me.  Is my vest an invisibility cloak?  Who knows--it sure seems like it!  I really know "Under" now, too.  I understand that when a desk, chair, or table is in sight, I should probably tuck myself under it and wait there until Mom leaves with me.  Some people might think that I don't like being "Under" constantly, but it's actually not too bad--it's cozy, kind of like being in a crate, which I love (although not as much as snuggling in bed with Mom--shhhh don't tell anyone that she lets me sleep with her!).

Even if I look like I'm sleeping, I'm still very much on the job!  I work K-9 to 5 (well, actually 24/7).

 I have some exciting news: I might even get to be a light mobility dog.  What does that mean?  Mobility dogs help with--you guessed it--mobility for their handlers, like pulling a wheelchair or bracing to help with balance.  As a light mobility dog, my job is a little bit easier: I just help Mom when she's having an episode of really painful knees.  I might even be getting a special harness for the job!
  Mom is also training me in light guide work, mainly just leading her to an exit so I can help her out of the public eye.  The command right now is in Latin, but hopefully I can get to a point where I can just intuitively understand when she needs me to kick into guide-mode.

I need to go now because Mom needs the computer to type her essay, but stay tuned for my post on Spoons tomorrow!

xoxoxo
Kelsie Iris


Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

Pupdates, Cupcakes, and Bracelets

In just a week, I'm headed to California to see Mom's home for the first time!  I can't wait to meet my kitty cat brother and sister and my human Auntie.  I've already traveled to so many states since I was fostered in the south, but I'm still excited to see a new place.  I'll make sure to give summer PUPdates, especially since I'll be taking my two tests!

Playing in Nathan's Garden

But now for a PUPdate for the past couple of weeks: I've continued my training my Mom and am still learning so much with every training session and every On Duty outing.  I had my first unvested On Duty public appearance, since it was too hot to wear my vest, and I'm slowly learning that I can still be On Duty even without my vest--a Service Dog, after all, is still a Service Dog with or without her vest on.  It's an abstract concept for a pup to learn, but Mom says I'm doing well, which means I must be doing something right!  With my vest on, though, I can't even try to be humble, because I'm rocking it.  The other day, Mom went to dinner with a friend, and I did a Down-Stay underneath the chair next to her the whole time without her even needing to ask me.  I know I can definitely pass both the CGC and the PAT at this point.  Hopefully, the school recognizes me as a Service Dog soon, especially once I pass my two tests--wish me luck!  While not on duty, I've been snuggling with Mom because thunderstorms are scary for me, and I've also been exploring a secluded, magical fairyland called Nathan's Garden--it's filled with ferns and wildflowers and is a perfect place for a pup to sniff around.  I have discovered that I love playing in water and will splash around whenever I get the opportunity!  I hear California has beaches, so I can't wait to play in the ocean.

Mom's new medical bracelet

Mom now has a medical ID bracelet that she wears around the clock.  It says, "In Case of Emergency, Do Not Separate from Service Dog."  It matches the tags I wear on my vest and collar so that if an emergency should ever occur, Mom and I will not get separated.  It's so crucial that I stay right by her side so I can do my job--if I'm not with her, then I can't keep her safe and comfortable, and that's particularly dangerous in an emergency.  Now, with the bracelet, people will know not to try to divide us--we go together like peanut butter and jelly!  And even if it's not an emergency, I should never be separated from my girl anyway--separating a SD from her handler can have serious consequences, even in day-to-day situations.  I plan on sticking right by Mom's side where I belong, and I'm glad that she now has the bracelet to prove it.

All my love,
Kelsie Iris


Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

The Situation with ESAs: NOT Service Dogs (But Not Strictly Pets Either)

Related to my fake SDs post, I recently saw a girl take her ESA Sheltie into a restaurant, and the manager did not question it and allowed the dog and handler to enter unquestioned.  The dog was well-behaved.  What's the problem with this?  The problem is that the dog is not a Service Dog but only an ESA, which means that it is breaking health codes stating that dogs are not allowed where food is served.  To someone who doesn't know the difference, a Psychiatric Service Dog and Emotional Support Dog sound virtually the same, perhaps even interchangeable, but the difference between a Service Dog and a Support Dog is big enough to be a legal matter.

Note that ESAs do not have to wear identifying vests--I just wear mine as practice for being "On Duty" in my SD vest.

So, then, what is an ESA?
An emotional support animal is any companion animal (not just a dog) that is used by an individual with a mental or psychiatric disability for therapeutic benefits.  Companionship does not an ESA make--the handler must have a verifiable disability as listed in the DSM.  ESAs do not have to be trained in disability-mitigating tasks as Service Dogs do.  They merely provide their handlers with the therapeutic benefits of owning and interacting with an animal.  ESAs do not have to wear identifying vests, tags, or IDs.
Fun fact: currently, according to Dartmouth, I am an ESA!  This is why I have an ESA vest and wear an ESA tag.  Mom and I are currently working on changing my status to a full SD though, so wish us luck!

What can an ESA not do? 
Emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not Service Animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA, and therefore they do not have the same access rights with their handlers as Service Dogs.  Service Dogs can go anyplace a wheelchair is legally allowed to go; ESAs cannot--this means that ESAs cannot go to restaurants, movie theatres, stores, Disneyland, or any other place of public access with their handlers.

What can an ESA do?
An emotional support animal is not exactly a pet, but neither is it a Service Dog--it's more of a pet with privileges.  Under the Fair Housing Act, individuals with a verifiable mental or psychological disability can have their ESA with them in their housing, even if it has a "No Pets" policy.  ESAs can also travel in the cabin of airplanes with their owners to provide their therapeutic benefits during the flight.  Apart from that, ESAs have the same access rights as pets.

Just like with fake SDs, ESAs entering places of public access can cause problems for real Service Dogs (and it's also illegal).  So, if you know someone trying to take Fido with him or her as an ESA to places of public access, please (please) educate him or her on the issues of doing this--please help keep Mom and other SD teams safe and independent as they go about their lives.  ESAs are not SDs and can harm SD teams as much as pets can, because at the end of the day, ESAs are just pets, too.  Please join me and help me protect the rights and safety of SD handlers and their four-legged freedom fighters!

xoxoxo
Kelsie Iris


Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html    

I Knew You Were Trouble When You Walked In: the Problem with Fake Service Dogs

Usually I am a pretty happy-go-lucky dog--not much bothers me nor upsets me.  Recently, however, I have stumbled upon a problem (or, rather, the problem has growled in my face) that really needs to stop.  Within the span of a few days last week, I ran into not one, but two fake Service Dogs!  It made me realize how prevalent this problem is--if there are at least two in sleepy little Hanover, how many might there be wandering around Mom's hometown in California?!

But fake SDs make it seem like vests/IDs are necessary, which is a problem.

So, you might ask, how do you know a dog is a fake Service Dog?  If it's wearing a vest, isn't it a Service Dog?  The answer, however, is actually no: you can't tell a real Service Dog from what he or she is wearing, nor whether he or she is certified.  Under the ADA, Service Dogs do not have to wear any identifying equipment nor be certified.  So then, if a completely uncertified dog wearing nothing walks into a restaurant, how do you know if it's a real Service Dog?  The best indicator of a real Service Dog is behaviour.  While the ADA does not specify any behaviour that a SD must exhibit, aside from knowing disability-mitigating tasks, it does grant businesses the right to excuse a SD team if the dog shows aggression, unruliness, or a lack of housetraining, and SD teams know this.  Even owner-trained teams work very hard to make their four-legged companions ready for public life and practice public access training--I've seen this from some wonderful teams on Instagram.  While it is not required by the ADA, many teams work towards passing the CGC and/or the PAT, and many organizations require their dogs to pass either or both.

A dog that looks like it isn't working isn't necessarily a fake, even if behaviour is so important in determining a fake SD.

One of the SDs I encountered growled at me multiple times as Mom was trying to get take-out from a restaurant.  Because this constitutes aggression, Mom could have asked management to ask the dog to leave, but she was too anxious to do so.  Unfortunately, the restaurant staff didn't know their rights and didn't ask the dog and handler to leave, so I had to endure quite a bit of growling (which, I'm proud to say, I handled without even blinking).  The owner even had the audacity to comment on how well-trained I was!  Of course I'm well-trained--I'm a Service Dog.

The other SD showed no restraint whatsoever when it saw me, even though I was all the way across the street--it barked and lunged at me, and it didn't seem to know Leave It, despite its owner's repeated, high-pitched at giving the command.  Unlike the first fake SD, this one was actually wearing a SD vest, but unlike me, it didn't seem to have any idea what wearing a vest actually means (and anyway, any dog can wear a vest).  Witnessing this dog's clear lack of training unnerved Mom quite a bit--luckily, I handled myself beautifully (who cares about a little bit of barking?), so she feels quite a bit more confident in me, even if she now doesn't trust the general public to be courteous and honest.

Clearly, I can still be on the job despite a little growling!  I'm distraction-free since '15!

So what's the problem with fake Service Dogs?  Surely you're not actually hurting anyone if you want to bring Fido to Starbucks with you?  But you are, more than you can even imagine.  Hopefully my encounters with fake Service Dogs show how distracting and potentially dangerous fake Service Dogs can be to a real team, particularly with the growling incident (and who knows what the lunging SD would have done if she'd been allowed to get near me!).  Aggression shown towards a real SD is dangerous because SDs are typically trained to be submissive and not to fight, especially because any form of aggression can not only get them kicked out of a place of public access, but also because it can distract them from their jobs.

Okay, so say Fido is a very sweet dog and wouldn't hurt a fly--are you then not hurting anyone by bringing him to Starbucks?  The answer is still no: you are still hurting SD teams by passing off your precious pet as a SD.  How is this possible?  There are two main ways:

1. Your pet is a distraction to real SDs.  As I've mentioned in my "Dos and Don'ts" SD etiquette post, distraction is incredibly dangerous to an SD team.  If I can't focus on my job, Mom can get hurt, and unfortunately, no matter how nice Fido is, he probably isn't trained to completely ignore other dogs, which means he'll try to say hi to me and try to distract me on the job.  Service Dogs have to remain focused on their handlers at all times--for example, a Seizure Alert Dog needs to stay focused on his or her handler in order to help his or her handler through a seizure.
2. Oftentimes, fake Service Dogs are registered through an online "Service Dog Registry," like NSAR or USSDR that seem to have "official" names.  For a certain price, you can buy everything you need for your fake Service Dog: vest, ID cards, and sometimes even a doctor's note!  The problem with this is that Service Dogs don't need certification or registration under the ADA--however, with a growing number of people flashing their "official" SD IDs to get into restaurants and movie theatres, businesses are starting to think that SDs need some kind of official identification.  This hurts real SD teams, especially owner-trained teams, who often don't carry with them or even have any kind of "official" documentation for their four-legged companion.

Similarly, you can't always believe that an SD team is "legit" just because they have the "right" gear and supposed paperwork.

The ADA is not trying to make an "elite" group of citizens who can bring their dogs with them anywhere they go--it's trying to make the world a more equal place by allowing people with disabilities to have the help they need wherever a normal person would go.  Bringing Fido, therefore, also is disrespectful to SD teams anywhere, particularly the disabled handlers--please feel grateful that you don't have to have assistance wherever you go and that you are able-bodied and/or able-minded enough to live an independent life.  While under the ADA it is a right to have a SD, it is also a privilege to have a Service Dog--it is a privilege to be able to lead a more normal life thanks to the help of a canine companion.

SDs are really just furry wheelchairs, heart monitors, etc.  If you don't need a special piece of medical equipment or don't have a disability, then Fido should not come with you to Starbucks, sorry.

So, if you know someone trying to pass of Fido as a fake Service Dog, please (please) educate him or her on the issues of doing this--please help protect Mom and other SD handlers across the globe.  We need to put a stop to this growing problem, so we can keep everyone safe and happy.  If I never encounter another fake SD again, I will be the happiest dog in the world, because I won't have to worry about keeping Mom safe.  Please help me reach my goal!

All my love,
Kelsie Iris


Disclaimer: while my images do come from the USSDR, I do not approve of using their company for registering fake service dogs, but while it's terribly ironic that I'm using their photos, I do believe in the positive messages that the pictures communicate.  I believe in educating and spreading a positive message whenever I can, even if the source is not something I actively support.  (if anything, it just goes to show how legitimate these companies seem--case and point!)


Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html   

KI Recommends: Blue Buffalo (Dog Food)

With so many dog food brands available, how do you choose?  Mom spent days trying to figure out what to feed me--she wanted the best food with all the meats, fruits, veggies, and vitamins I would need to stay healthy and happy.

What should you look for in a dog food?

1. Meat or a protein source as a first ingredient
2. Plenty of fruits and vegetables
3. Vitamins and minerals (if you're not sure if it's a vitamin or chemical/preservative, double-check!)
4. Grain free (if allergies apply)

Note that the first five or six ingredients in a dog food tend to be the more prevalent and most important.  Make sure to choose a dog food that has plenty of healthy, wholesome ingredients as its first five or six listed.

 What should you avoid in a dog food?

1. Animal by-products (leftover bits of animals -- while leftover organs that humans don't eat are perfectly fine, these can often include hair, horn, and hooves)
2. Animal "digest"
3. Food that does not list meat or a protein source as the first ingredient
4. Few or no fruits and/or vegetables
5. Corn/corn meal as one of the main ingredients (as well, too many grain products)
6. Artificial colours
7. BHA/BHT (preservatives)

This is what I eat! (Mom might switch the flavour)

Blue Buffalo has LifeSource Bits!

I personally eat Blue Buffalo Wilderness: Duck Recipe.  I highly recommend Blue Buffalo because it contains all of what you want in a dog food and none of what you don't want.  It has little dark brown LifeSource Bits sprinkled throughout the bigger kibble pieces, and these contain important vitamins and minerals to keep me happy and healthy.  Blue Buffalo comes in a variety of flavours and types, including puppy formula, cans, and grain-free (to which Mom might switch me because I might have food allergies).  It was one of the three dog foods that my rescue, For Dog's Sake, recommended to its adopters!

Here's an example ingredient list from the dog food that I eat (notice the variety of meats, as well as the many fruits and veggies):

Deboned Duck, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine), Tapioca Starch, Peas, Turkey Meal, Pea Protein, Tomato Pomace (source of Lycopene), Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Dried Egg, Flaxseed (source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Natural Flavor, Potatoes, Alfalfa Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potato Starch, Dried Chicory Root, DL-Methionine, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Caramel, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (a natural preservative), Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Sulfate, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Oil of Rosemary, L-Lysine, Parsley, Kelp, Blueberries, Cranberries, Apples, Spinach, Blackberries, Pomegranate, Pumpkin, Barley Grass, Turmeric, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Copper Sulfate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Nicotinic Acid (Vitamin B3), Taurine, Calcium Pantothenate (Vitamin B5), Biotin (Vitamin B7), Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, L-Carnitine, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Beta Carotene, Dried Yeast, Dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, Dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, Dried Aspergillus niger fermentation extract, Dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, Dried Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract, Folic Acid (Vitamin B9), Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite.

 Stay tuned for a review on Taste of the Wild--Mom mixes in canned Taste of the Wild with my dry food!

Cheers,

Kelsie Iris

Check out these posts of mine:
SD team etiquette -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/dos-and-donts-of-encountering-service.html
Confused?  Here are some terms and abbreviations -- http://kelsieiris.blogspot.com/2015/04/as-abbreviations.html