Respect The Vest

This past weekend I partook in an Adaptive Sports and Recreation Resource Fair put on by the Spinal Network! Of course I don’t go anywhere without Cleo by my side. Every single volunteer or business owner with a booth proceeded to ask me what my Service Dog's name was before engaging with me. This is a big no-no; in the ADA Service Dogs are likened to medical equipment. It is respectful to ignore the dog, and engage with the individual with the disability. At the very least, it is polite to acknowledge the individual before asking about and admiring their Service Dog. Occasionally a handler may allow you to pet their Service Dog, however ALWAYS ask first and WAIT until you hear the answer. Do not be offended if the answer is"no".

This picture was taken by me when I was recovering from my Mitrofanoff surgery; this surgery was extensive and I was in the operating room for nearly thirteen (13) hours. Speaking of the operating room (OR), it is one of the areas where Service Dogs are not allowed in a hospital. The other two (2) areas of a hospital that Service Dogs are typically not allowed are the Burn Unit and Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This information is confirmed by the ADA and Public Health standards, "Service animals are to accompany the individual with a disability in all areas of the medical facility where health care personnel, visitors, and patients are normally allowed during inpatient services"

Reference:

Understanding How to Accommodate Service Animals in Healthcare Facilities. ASPR. (n.d.). Retrieved April 20, 2023, from https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/abc/Pages/service-animals.aspx

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Today Cleo and I visited a museum exhibit at the Delmar fair grounds. The exhibit was called Beyond Vangogh depicting his beautiful paintings. There was a room that was much like a light show, with wonderful colors and brush strokes changing all over the walls and ceiling. Despite all of the visual stimuli and distractions from people yelling “look at the colors on the dog", Cleo stayed by my side calm as can be. This amazing girl stuck to her training with no interruptions!

Yesterday my parents, Cleo, my best friend Barbie, and I visited Sea World San Diego to celebrate my 24th birthday. Upon check-in I was very surprised to hear them ask the two legal questions: (1) is your dog a Service Dog, and (2) what Service does your dog provide? These two questions that were asked proved to be successful, because throughout the entire day at the park we did not encounter any fraudulent or uncontrolled service dogs/dogs. Usually encountering such dogs is a frequent occurrence, so this was a nice break. See what two questions can do!

Even Service Dogs—Especially Service Dogs need friends to play with after a long, hard day at work taking care of their human. Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Cleo and her friends, Maisey and Oten!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWHfUP9JZKZ/?utm_medium=share_sheet

Service Dogs are not all work and no play. They must be respected as dogs first, and be allowed play. Exercise helps Service Dogs stay fit and healthy, which may lengthen their working lives. Exercise will also help the dog relieve all of that pent up energy, helping them to stay focused when on duty. But playing with other dogs is especially important to increase socialization, and just allow the dog to have some fun with doggy friends! This is my amazing, intelligent Cleo girl playing with her friends. The pug’s name is Oren, and the big, white girl is Maisey. #doggyplaytime #tugofwar #servicedogsofinstagram #pugsofinstagram @kongcompany #wubbakong #servicedogshavefuntoo