Meet Brandeis Sesame Street's SDIT

Ending the Way We Began

On Friday September 21, 2012 I started my day with a flurry of calls from my parents, which could only mean that something big was wrong. Little did I know when I returned the call just how big. You see in my family animals are just as important as the people. I called my parents back and found out Bastien wouldn't or couldn't get up, so they we taking him to the vet ASAP. As usual my parents put me on speaker phone so that Bastien could hear my voice, as soon as her heard me call Bastien... Bastioni-Macoroni he was on his feet. I could hear the relief in my father's voice that he was up; maybe it wouldn't be too bad. 

Less than hours later I got a call back from my mom. Bastien has cancer; it's bad- wrapped around his intestines. The vet wanted to end things then and there. There was nothing to be done. My mom, always having been my fiercest advocate that I knew my own mind and body gave my Bastien no less respect. She said "this dog will tell us when he is done, as he has many times before." She left vet's office with a week's worth of pain meds and called me with the awful news. I promptly planned with my best friend, Leslie, to get everything in order for mad dash to Washington. I knew I would know what was in store for my baby boy.

I walked into my parents place and knew the instant I set eyes on him he was not long for this world. Due to a massively bad allergy season he had lost about half the fur on his body, and while the skin had healed thanks to my mom's diligent nursing the fur just could not recover. Even in such a state, he go up to come greet me, Leslie and Shilo before we could get over to him. As usual he knew Grammy (my mom) had set out a fruit and vegetable tray and he wanted his share! So I laid on the floor with him stroking, and doing puppy massage until he purred (yes some dogs do purr with delight). I don't know how long I was on the floor, but we we there for a while. I shared the last bite of each fruit or vegetable I had from the tray., and just as he always had Bastien waited patiently for his bite taking whatever I offered gently.  He didn't care what it was if it was fruit or veggie and I was offering he was eating! We shared squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.

I knew as I drove the four hours up, I was going up to see for myself and to say goodbye. I didn't want to even risk that he might suffer just so I could get there say goodbye. Bastien die on Monday September 24, 2012. The world has lost a happy go lucky, mischievous, wicked smart dog who never met a person or dog he didn't think was his best friend. Me, I lost my kindred spirit in a dog suit who outlasted 3 jobs, two boyfriends, saw me through my 20's, saved me from the utter confusion/depression that was what to do after college- afterall, to that point my whole life had been about college. He was the best ambassador and travel companion ever accompanying me to more than half the states and four countries over his career. He taught me patience and the true meaning of consistency. He was always up for a party and finding interesting ways to solve any thing that got in the way of fun. He loved snow and snowballs. Bastien thank you for it all, even the sad parts.

  

Breaking Up While Partnered with a Service Dog

A while back I wrote Dating While Partnered with a Service Dog, and since it's bound to happen I am back with the follow piece. Sometimes relationships aren't going to last; we as humans know this and have many and varied ways of dealing with the dating phenomena known as breaking up. Our service dogs;however, are mystified as to how a person can go from being a friend and possible member of the pack to disappeared. Oh sure, as service dogs they have had life transitions- puppy raiser, to trainer, perhaps to another trainer, then to partner; however, these transitions always took them from one person who loved and taught them to another who would love and teach them. Thus, this breaking up wherein we not only stop seeing a person, but are highly likely to be uncomfortable at the very least when we see the person completely confuses our service dogs. They just don't understand why we are now embarrassed we they do the "Oh my God your back!" happy greeting dance or when the lead us right to our former partner in a public place with a look of absolute pride conveying the "Aren't you proud of me, I found the lost pack member!" while we try to disappear on the very spot.

*Please note these tips are for surviving a simple break up/dissolution of a relationship; they might help some with more serious reasons for ending.I have rarely experienced more serious reasons like abuse, true cheating, financial wrong doing etc. so I  know some of these tips helped me, as to whether they could help you-only you know that.

Tips on Surviving a Break Up While Partnered with a Service Dog

1. Be thankful you still have your service dog. Yes, you may lack human companionship, but they will do their best to be there for you while you are sad and try to lighten the mood with their antics. The best part is they will never say "I told you so."
2. Renew your relationship with your service dog. Just like our human friends we may have let our more solid relationship with our service dog rest on its laurels while we put all our energy and effort into making this new relationship work. Resume those play sessions, long walks, super long grooming sessions, whatever you let go in order to make time/energy for that person.
3. Expect your service dog to act as they always have around that person. Remember, just because your relationship with that person has changed doesn't mean theirs instantly has also. If you let training protocols slide like allowing them to pet your service dog while working, allowed your partner to be very active with your service dog by providing basic care fore them, or let them be the one primarily to exercise your service dog in order to show the person how much you loved/trusted them your service dog will remember those good and happy time. Expect they will behave with happiness for all that love. You created the relationship over time, it will take time for your service dog to realize that person isn't in the pack anymore. If you feel the need to avoid the person or establish new rules that they are to completely ignore your service dog if they see it, then do so. However, for the dog's sake please don't punish them for behaving in a way that was once totally acceptable. To do so will succeed in damaging the dog's relationship with you as well as the person you are no longer with.
4. Know your furry wing man/woman will be there to help you try again. Service dogs have a way of keeping us out there and doing things whether we really feel like it or not. They also have ways of bringing people into our lives whether we think ourselves ready or not. Know your furry wing man/women and take a chance!
5. If something happens to your service dog and your ex calls to check in, be kind. Being nasty to them will only make a bad situation worse and make you feel worse.

News: Register Today for National Service Dog Oral Health Exam

National Service Dog Oral Health Exam

The AVDC Service Dog Oral Health Exam program is a philanthropic event provided to the Service Dog public by board certified veterinary dentists of the American Veterinary Dental College. If your Service Dog qualifies, it would receive a complimentary oral health screening exam in August 2012 to help identify any problems that may affect the dog's oral comfort and health.

Our veterinary dentists understand the tremendous daily contribution Service Dogs make to the lives of individuals and to all of us as a society. In return, we want assist in these efforts, by assuring that the Service Dogs can have pain free and healthy mouths.

Event Goals

1. To promote oral health awareness in Service Dogs by providing oral exams during August.
2. To identify painful oral disease and provide treatment options to alleviate pain, and
3. To benefit those who rely on Service Dogs by teaching preventative oral care in order to provide their dogs pain, free, healthy mouths.
4. To enhance referral relationships with primary care veterinarians.

The mission of the AVDC Service Dog Oral Health Exam is to promote oral health awareness in service dogs in order to prevent and relieve pain, which will benefit, not only the service dog, but all the people they serve every day.

Eligibility

The AVDC Service Dog Oral Health program will provide free oral health screening to Service Dog groups including seeing eye dogs, hearing dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, search and rescue dogs and for certified therapy dogs (through the Delta Society or similar). Dogs must be active working dogs that are certified by an organization or are currently enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying agency must be regional or local. Essentially, the dogs need to have some form of certification and/or training paperwork from an agency to qualify for this program.

While we would like to offer complimentary oral exams to all dogs performing assistance to their owners/handlers, this program is limited to the groups listed above. There are limited appointments available to examine these animals therefore a specific group has been defined.

How will this work?

Owners/handlers of the dog will register the animal via an online registration form. Once registered, the owner/handler will be given a confirmation and list of participating dentists in their area. The owners/handlers call a participating office to schedule an appointment and provide the registration number to the clinic which will be given on the confirmation form. This process is included on the registration form.

Appointment Dates and Time

Appointment dates and times will vary based on the availability of exams offered by each clinic. The clinic sets the schedule for exams for certain set days, select times on specific days, or during times of their choice during the month of August. Identify yourself as participating in the AVDC Service Dog Oral Health Exam and provide the registration number given on your confirmation form. The appointment will be set by the clinic at that time. Some clinics may request that you present certification of the Service Dog's formal training. Be sure to ask if this is needed at the time of appointment scheduling.

Once the owner/handler has registered the Service Dog, they are asked to respect the dentist's time and show up for the appointment. Arriving on time is essential in allowing as many Service Dog's to receive exams as scheduled.

What should I expect during the appointment?

The complimentary oral health exam is of a screening nature. No sedation or anesthesia will be given. Factors that limit our ability to detect every dental or oral problem in your dog may include:

1. Lack of patient cooperation can impair proper visualization, especially of the back of the mouth
2. Many periodontal problems can be detected only by probing under the gum with a dental instrument with the dog under anesthesia,
3. Dental tartar can hide underlying cavities or fractures.

If any problems are found at the time of the exam or if additional tests are needed (e.g. dental x-rays, periodontal exam under anesthesia, etc.), the dental specialist will present options to best treat your Service Dog.

A copy of the exam form will be given to you to give to your primary care veterinarian. Data collected on each dog will remain private and be utilized for research purposes only.

How do I participate?

Step 1: Registration.
If your Service Dog qualifies, register on-line. If you do not register, you cannot participate in the program.

» Register here

Step 2: Locating a clinic.
Once you have registered, the confirmation page will provide you with a link to a page that will provide a list of participating clinics. (Clinics may not be available in every state.)

» Find a participating dentist

Step 3: Scheduling
After locating the clinic you would like to visit, call the office directly, identify yourself as participating in the Service Dog Oral Health Exam program and make an appointment. Dates and times will vary from clinic to clinic throughout August. We suggest you register in early July to ensure a better chance of securing an appointment at your Service Dog. Slots are limited, and those that wait to register may find it difficult to find a clinic that has filled all appointments for this program. There are no "rain checks".

Step 4: Visit
Visit the dentist at the appointed time. Please call ahead if you will be late or have to cancel your appointment.

Step 5: After the Exam
After your Service Dog's oral exam is complete, your veterinary dentist will give you a copy of the examination form and information. Please take this back to your primary care veterinarian to complete your Service Dog's medical care to schedule any diagnostics or treatment that may be needed. Your primary care veterinarian is an important part of the team in providing your Service Dog with the best oral health care. The dental specialist will make a recommendation for treatment for your service dog instead of present options.

Most important: You MUST pre-register prior to calling to make your appointment with veterinary dental specialist.