[Blindtlk] Guide dogs and the Dentist

[Aleeha Dudley]

It honestly depends on the dog. I’ve taken mine in before and not had a problem, even with novocain. He was just fine. The dentist even had a fear of dogs, but understood that the dog had a right to be there. He was very quiet. I just tied him to the arm of the chair and had him lie down. 
Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Dog Dallas 
Vice President, Ohio Association of Guide Dog Users 
Vice President, Ohio Association of Blind Students 
Both proud divisions of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio 
Email: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com <mailto:blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com> 
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. 
“The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse’s ears.” - Arabian proverb 

> On Jan 12, 2015, at 8:59 AM, Christopher-Mark Gilland via blindtlk <blindtlk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Guys,
> 
> This may seem like a somewhat off-the-wall question, but I got to thinking this morning...  Tomorrow, I have a dental appointment.  Now, I myself am a cane user, and don't have a dog.  Never have.  I'd love to get one one of these days, but that's another topic entirely.  LOL!  Anyway, as most of you probably know, a dentist office in general would be fine for a service animal, like a guide dog, but once they call you back for your appointment, most of you probably know that for one thing, those rooms are pretty small as is.  Now, of corse, if you're at a place like I was as a kid where there is no privacy, and you're out in the bare butt openning with all other children, then that's another story, but again, that's a topic for another day.  But generally speaking, most of the time, 95 percent the time, those rooms are going to be not only quite little, but quite narrow as well. Then, you put the dental chair in there, plus the cart with the tray of tool instruments, plus usually a desk with a computer, then you take the dentist and his/her assistant dental
> hygienist, it's going to get super super crouded!  This said, you can't exactly put the dog under the chair, as for one, the chair moves, which if not careful could hurt the dog, 2, if you're getting novicayne, and are anything like me, you're gonna yelp pretty loud when they stick ya, which of corse would alarm the dog... Good? Fido, nice? Fido... LOL!  Just kidding. But seriously, my point being, where the heck do you all  stash the dog when in the back room?  OK, if it was a regular family physician appointment, then yeah, ok, that wouldn't be an issue.  Just lie the dog down out of your way and the doctor's way, as most examining rooms are big enough to do that, but not so much a dentistry room.  Do you all just leave the dog out in the waiting room?  Surely, if you're going by yourself, you don't do that.  Uh, skeuze me, sir?  uh, like, I'm blind and am going back in the back, will you watch ma dog?  Um... Yeah... me thinks not.
> 
> 
> 
> So, what do you all normally do?  I know there are certain times you just can't! take the dog, much as you'd probably like to.  Is this one of those times?
> 
> 
> 
> Chris.
> 
> 
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