[kecanoe]

This came up in another thread and I didn't want to hijack it.

So, my service dog is an Australian Shepherd, age 9. I got him as a rescue dog-he'd been left out in the country tied to a fence post. I owned him for a few years before I was diagnosed with DID. But he has always been very loyal to me and very focused on me. He follows me into what ever room I go in even the bathroom.

After my big meltdown which led to my diagnosis, one of my therapists suggested I start having my dog go places with me, to help me be grounded. So I started doing that. My H then noticed that when I would dissociate, Cooper would get nervous/anxious. He would try to get my attention, lick my hands, jump up on me. So my dog actually trained himself to alert me. Awesome, huh?

Then I researched what it takes to have a dog be a service dog and learned that you can train your own. The caveat is that the dog has to perform an action to mitigate your disability. So he has to do more than just be a good grounding tool by just being present for example. If your dog is reassuring by merely being present, you can use him as a emotional support animal and that will give you access to some places a dog is not usually allowed (like airplanes, some housing etc).

I then took my dog to dog training classes to help him learn how to behave in public. Up to that point, he had rarely been on a leash, he had not interacted with strange dogs except at the occasional vet visit. So he progressed thru beginner to advanced class.

I get asked a lot why I have him. Depending on my mood I sometimes say that he alerts me when I dissociate and walk away. Most people have no clue what that means which is fine with me. Sometimes I explain that dissociating is common but that I do it more often and longer than is usual.

Sometimes I wish that we did not get so much attention, but it is worth it to have him along.

[just2b]

I have thought about having a support dog too but I feel I can't or wouldn't be able to take care of him or her. Glad he helps you !

I've got a chihuahua that is so loveable unless you a stranger then ankle beware, and another that thinks I'm the boogie Man until feeding time.

I couldn't take a dog to work, and I can see where it would be useful for some, but some of my younger ones like to pet the dog forever which is counter productive.