[nagdu] Service dog helps control anxiety attacks

[Steve Johnson]

Nicole,
Possibly a third concern if she feels that the dog cannot access these other
places of public accommodation, makes me wonder if they realize that it is
more of an emotional support dog than an actual psychiatric service dog.  

It also sounds like the tags that this dog as so-called earned, seem to
indicate that the dog has learned the necessary skills to qualify it as a
psychiatric service animal, which contradicts what I just said.  

One other thing, as the description of this dog and what it does, almost
sounds like it has herding instincts?  Anyone know about this breed of dog?
If it is not specifically trained to provide a physical support/function,
then it's so-called credentials may be not so..credible hence the hesitation
to access these other places of public accommodation.    Definitely not
black and white here folks,

JMO,
Steve

JMHO.

Steve




-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Nicole B. Torcolini
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 11:29 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Service dog helps control anxiety attacks

Good article.  Two things that seem wrong, though:
1. Although the dog does not wear any kind of other identification, the tags
should not be necessary.
2. Shouldn't the dog be allowed everywhere?  Are the laws about self-trained
service dogs different from those about self-trained guide dogs?

Nicole

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ginger Kutsch" <gingerKutsch at yahoo.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 25, 2010 6:35 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Service dog helps control anxiety attacks


> This service dog helps control anxiety attacks
> By Steve Lathrop, Albany Democrat-Herald
> Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010 4:00 pm |
>
> Desiree Carlson holds her 2-year-old son Neo near her emotional
> support dog Bramma Love. (Mark Ylen/Democrat-Herald) .
> ..When Bramma Love detects the signals, she doesn't hesitate to
> go into action. And that's what Desiree "Dezi" Carlson counts on.
>
> Bramma Love, a 5-year-old American Staffordshire terrier, alerts
> Carlson to oncoming anxiety and panic attacks, which she has had
> since she was 10.
>
> "She's more to me than a service dog. I don't know what I'd do
> without her," said Carlson, 23. "I totally love her."
>
> Carlson, a single mother who lives in Albany with her 2-year-old
> son and trains dogs part time, trained Bramma herself after
> realizing the dog reacted to the approaching attacks.
>
> "She knew what was coming," Carlson said. "She instinctively knew
> how to calm me and when it was done."
>
> It took several years to fully train Bramma and get her service
> tags. Carlson has trained dogs and been around animals most of
> her life. She didn't know much about Bramma's breed except that
> it didn't have a good reputation.
>
> "It was a challenge I wanted to take and I found out that the
> breed is really considered very human-oriented and affectionate,"
> she said, noting that her son, Neo, and Bramma are best of
> friends.
>
> Claustrophobia, particularly in stores, contributes to the
> attacks, which may last five minutes or half an hour. Carlson
> says Bramma reflects attention.
>
> "I get anxious in stores and try to get in and out as quickly as
> I can. She keeps me focused on doing that," Carlson said. "She
> interacts well with people and other dogs and puts the pressure
> on her and not me."
>
> The attacks can be severe. Labored breathing, shaking and even
> the possibility of blacking out are symptoms. Bramma controls the
> situation by isolating Carlson, which lets her know she needs to
> relax.
>
> She said that Bramma's temperament helped in the training
> process. Carlson made socializing a priority.
>
> "That wasn't hard because she interacts so well with everyone,"
> said Carlson.
>
> Bramma wears tags indicating her designation as a service dog
> because the typical halters irritate her chest. Carlson also
> carries an ID tag for Bramma in her purse.
>
> Most stores, including Safeway and Fred Meyer, have accepted
> Bramma once they know she's a service animal, Carlson said.
> Shanna Chess, assistant manager at Safeway, said she did not know
> of any complaints and added that any animal with tags or a vest
> identifying it as a service animal is welcome.
>
> "I can't take her into restaurants and movie theaters and I
> understand that," Carlson said. "But she's with me everywhere
> else. She's the diary I don't carry. She knows all my secrets."
>
> Source:
> http://www.democratherald.com/news/local/article_f57030c4-6770-11
> df-9d86-001cc4c03286.html
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