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