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The value of an animal
I’ve had dogs most of my life, except in college. I’ve always enjoyed them as pets, and my wife has usually had a cat.
My life went upside down in 2005. I was falling into a really deep depression and made multiple suicide attempts. I kept thinking I’d hit bottom, but then I’d go down deeper and darker. I admitted myself to a small facility for survivors of suicide attempts, and stayed for 6 weeks, until I felt like I’d be safe again. I wasn’t really, but life went on. I retired and began therapy, and after a couple of years I talked with my therapist about training my dog to be a service dog. I had an Aussie/Border Collie mix, who was a wonderful dog, and after working with him for over a year, he became my service animal.
Barnabas went everywhere with me, and was of great service to me with depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Everybody loved him. But last year at Valentine’s, he had a stroke or some other brain event, a week after a checkup at the vet’s, where I was told he had years left in him (he was only 9). That was really hard, especially since I didn’t have a therapist right then, and couldn’t get one until a year later. That was an 18 month stretch without a therapist, and the last six were pretty dark. I was fortunate to find my next dog at our local humane shelter, a few weeks after Barnabas died. Sadie had just been brought in that day because the people had too many dogs, and decided to return her to the shelter. She was fearful and skittish, but I felt an immediate bond with her. We left her alone for a couple of days, so she could become comfortable in our home, with us, and with my wife’s little dog, Pete. After a year, she’s joined to me at the hip. If I go outside, she follows, and comes in when I do. We have ten acres, so she has lots of room to run, rodents to catch, cows and horses to herd – they either ignore her or run her off – but she always comes back to me and sits down near me and watches me work in the yard. If I’m kneeling, she sits right in front of me for some petting. She’s very attentive, obedient and therapeutic for me. When I’m extra depressed or feeling the anxiety level rising, she lies in my lap and the pressure of the weight of her body provides calming therapy on my torso, for as long as I need her.
One challenge of having a service dog is public ignorance. Everytime we go out, someone asks if they can pet her (No), or just pets her without asking. If they don’t pet her, they talk to her, which is pretty much the same as petting because they’re drawing her attention away from me. Cesar teaches don’t touch, don’t talk, don’t make eye contact.
An issue I’ve been dealing with is lack of understanding of the difference between service and therapy dogs. A service dog serves only its handler. A therapy dog is trained to serve others, such as in hospitals, to provide calming therapy for people. I was asked to have Sadie certified as a therapy dog, but I couldn’t agree to it because of the differing purposes of the service and therapy animals. For 5 years, I was a Hospice volunteer, visiting patients for an hour a week, in their homes, in the hospital, in care homes – wherever they were. A few had house pets, so I left my dog in the car during the visit (always in safe, shaded places, with water). Every other patient loved having my dog come with me to visit them. I made an exception to the no pet rule with hospice patients because it meant so much to them. I had to resign a few months ago because they wrote a set of guidelines that specifies only certified therapy dogs could go with volunteers. I hated to give up that volunteer job. I think it helped me get out and interact with others, and it gave me a chance to give out to those who have a real need.
How has a pet or animal helped you? Share your story with us.
Of course, Sadie’s more than a pet, though she is that, too, but she provides the companionship of a pet, the devotion and unconditional love. I'll try to share pictures of Barnabas (brown and white) and Sadie (black and white). (Sorry I couldn't change the orientation of the picture of Sadie.)
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Thanks for sharing. My Tux & Gingi teach me how to keep life simple, right here and right now.
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3 ReactionsI came across a support animal at the San Anontio airport. The dog was pretty big but kept pulling away from its owner . The owner could not figure out why the dog wanted to come over to me. As they (dog and owner) got close I fell straight backwards and started having a seizure. The dog nudged me over to my side and laid across the top of me The gate agent called for help. The owner of the dog was surprised the dog sensed my seizure but that’s not what the dog had been trained for heart problems. The dog felt very calming laying across on me. Now since I have gotten neuropathy (tremors, dizziness and balance problems) I have been trying to find out more information on how to train a support animal. I would need one that could open the front door to get help when I fall. We have a pretty big dog now that is a year old. I can’t work with the dog. It’s not leash trained and has pulled me down. The neighbors called 911 where the paramedics could get me up. When he was smaller it was like he could sense something was wrong with me. Now he practically knocks me down. How can you get a support dog trained where it’s not 23.000 dollars. Does anyone have any ideas? I have tried to google it but no luck. I found a military man that trained dogs for disabled vets but he would not help me with this dog.
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2 ReactionsThe American Kennel Club has some information on how to train your own service dog on their site that provides links to some information that may help - https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/service-dog-training-101/.
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2 ReactionsI don;t know about service animals in other states, but in CA. Ther is the dept. of Social Services that can refer you to Animal Service Animal trainers and funding Depending on your income level. Most people whom have major seizure disorders are classified as disabled and able to get some assistance in finding dogs trained to recognize when a person is about to have a seizure. I met a woman some time ago who had seizures and had a trained dog. I didn't't ask her how she got her dog. I guess it would have been a good idea if I had. Sorry. Check out the Americans with disabilities dept. in the Federal Govt goog;e system web cite. Good luck hunting. C.J.
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1 ReactionI am the blessed guardian of 3 cats-and I think there's been times where I wanted to give up, but they kept me going, putting one foot in front of the other.
I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 (mixed) with psychosis after a brain injury in 2018 (TBI was in 2016). My cats know when I am struggling and come up for a cuddle when I need it-sometimes before I realize I need it. Lately, I have been struggling with things and they have each been coming up for frequent cuddles, it's very calming.
When I was in nursing school in a leadership class, my group did a presentation on pet therapy, which has been proven to lower blood pressure and heart rate. There are so many scientifically documented benefits of animal therapy. And it's been proven repeatedly over the years.
When I was recovering from my TBI in the early stages back in 2016/2017, and having seizures (which I thankfully no longer have), my cat was alerting on them, he would crawl up on my head (which he hasn't done since) and once, when I had one in the tub, he hopped up on the edge of a tub full of water and sat there, very still until I was able to get myself out (partial awareness seizure).
Love the experiences people have with the many. benefits of animals!
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6 ReactionsI've never had a TBI, but my cat, Ermey, usually visits my forehead every morning around 5.
It's more therapy for her than me!
Pets can be life savers.
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2 ReactionsSince my bilateral spontaneous Achilles tendon ruptures I've been spending much of my days reclining in my bed, since the first of the year. My service dog has been spending more of her time either on the bed or next to it, especially since my depression level tanked. Usually she is on her bed in the living room, but she knows how I'm feeling. My service dogs have been so helpful to me over the past 15 years. Sadie is 10 and turning grey, and I know she won't live forever, but it's very hard to lose an animal who knows and cares for her person. They are partners in our good times and in the bad times, aren't they?
Jim
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6 ReactionsThe end of life for a companion pet, a close family member, may be one of the most painful losses we experience in our brief lives. We came home one evening and Timmy, a rescue cat we adopted when he was already 13 yrs old was not near the door to greet us as usual; not there to roll over onto his back for a belly rub or to be there with a present for us. Instead, we found him lying in his litter box. My wife called the vet's office to have someone come to our home to have him euthanized as we didn't want to traumatize him with a trip in his carrier to the vet's office. When the woman arrived to prepare for the final rites, Timmy was afraid and hiding under our bed. I had to grab him and pull him out, and as I passed through the bedroom door with Timmy in my arms, he let out a horrific howl. I believe he died of a heart attack right then and there; or rather a broken heart. He was the most loving and caring being I have ever known. A horribly abused animal when we first took him into our home, and the most unconditionally loving, trusting soul upon leaving this existence.
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8 ReactionsSadie is always with me, as a service dog, but lately I've been spending much of my days reclining on the bed, reading, knitting, playing Royal Match and emailing. She knows I've been depressed for the past few weeks and has been next to me on the bed or on her blanket next to me on the floor. That's one of the services she does for me.
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3 ReactionsI have had many great pets, but I do think very ill people need to be realistic about a new pet.
A puppy especially is so much work, and a long way from being support for you. For at least his first year of life, you will need the energy to train, and keep up with him. Even then, the entire puppy stage may be too rambunctious for someone with health issues.
Rescue dogs, as stated here, can be great, but many come from trauma that must be resolved before becoming great companions.
I have found cats to be easier, and also good companions. You must however be willing, and able to keep a clean litter box, or their toilet habits can be a problem. A kitten only needs a clean box to train himself, which is much easier than a puppy.
I only bring up these issues so that people will consider what they are able to do before jumping into pet ownership. It is very sad for the pet to be returned, and then a new owner may have additional issues with bonding and trust from the animal.
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