Service Dog for ADHD Symptoms | ADHD Information

Just thought I'd start a new thread to talk about a new passion of mine. It's long, but I have been meaning to share this with our group for some time.

I inherited a dog from my father (who is now in a senior's home). I have taken care of my dad for about 6 or 7 months and I thought we would have to take his 9-year-old dog back to the shelter b/c she was completely untrained (not housebroken or anything).

As I lived there and cared for them both, I decided to see if she could learn a trick or something (or at least stop barking and begging at the table). To my surprise, she did and she learned things incredibly fast. She not only developed manners (no  more begging, barking, or "accidents") but she was able to learn basic obedience plus tricks. I couldn't believe it. 

I became so attached to her fun spirit that there was no way in the world that I would consider giving her away--even though I own a condo in a 'no pets' place. I decided I would sell and move before I got rid of her. My usual depression, anxiety, and tendency to dwell on upsetting things subsided SUBSTANTIALLY. I was excited to see her happy face everyday, and instead of lying in bed, she forced me to get up, get out of the house, and get walking 2 or 3 times a day. She makes me laugh...what medicine can do that for a person?

Well, after I moved my dad, I stumbled onto the idea of training her to become a "Therapy Pet" so that I could take her with me when I went to visit my dad. This was all uncharted territory for me. So, I discovered an organization that had certain requirements she had to meet.

One of the requirements was that she be evaluated by a professional training company for obedience and temperment testting.  I chose a police dog academy and when the big day came and my little Smarty Pants had to go out to an enormous park and "prove herself." I was worried b/c she had just learned how to "stay" the week before. I didn't know if she could pull any of it off or not...we had only trained in our own litlte home environment. The park would pose enormous distractions.

I could NOT believe my eyes when we got to the park. That little "Seabiscuit" got out there like she had invented obedience. Her little curly tail was wagging and she walked by my side and stopped on a dime. She had to do a "stay" for 2 minutes and she sat there like a statue. It was awesome.

Then they had a little 3-year old play with her...she just sat there and smiled. They had a man (some dogs are aggressive with men) take her around. She walked and heeled and minded him just fine. They even tempted her with little ducks, turtles, and birds to see her reaction. She just lived and let live (good thing it wasn't a rabbit or squirrel though...eek!)

Anyhow, she passed with flying colors and was on her way to become a Therapy Pet. That is when I discovered the whole world of service animals.

I own a condo in a "no-pets" complex and I had to hide her for a couple of weeks until I could figure out what to do about the situation. Trying to conceal a 25 lb. dog who needs to relieve herself a few times a day is not an easy challenge, plus it just wasn't fair to her.

Well, one thing led to another and I learned that dogs are also used to help with 'non-visible disibilities.' They are legally considered to be service dogs, and they are protected by service dog laws. Wow. Legal non-visible disabilities include: Seizures, Diabetes, Schizophrenia, Bi-Polar disorder, Depression, Panic Attacks, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and probably more. Basically, the definition seems to be anything that impedes major life functions. Service dogs must be trained to perform tasks that are directly related to a person's disability.

Well, this certainly applied to me. Finally, a small (large to me) benefit for having to cope and be treated for years for major depression that has affected every aspect of my life. I immediately set out to discover if Chi Chi could fit the bill. First, my p-doc wrote a prescription for her that basically said, "a service dog is part of my patient's major depression treatment." Then I found an online group that shraes information and provides support. 

As I looked around for a new place to live, it turned out that I would need to pay about 00 more a month to find a place that allowed "pets" and the pet-friendly rentals were anything but impressive. Once I became familiar with the laws, however, I changed my mind and decided to stay where I am.

Service dog status is not a free ticket to having a pet somewhere that they aren't supposed to be because there is an enormous responsibility involved, but she has met the criteria and we behave responsibly and professionally as a team. She is not considered a "pet" but rather a working animal.

I wrote a letter to the association who turned it over to our attorneys and, so far, has not been challenged. I now live here openly with her now. In addition to ensuring that she is not a disturbance (no barking), I assured them that I am fully responsible for her temperament (she can be trusted around the smallest child), that she will always be on a leash and wear a service vest to identify her, that I can provide full proof of being disease and parasite free and vaccinations, I have a prescription, that I am fully responsible for her litter, and have proof of her professional evalutations.

I also let them know that even though I'm not required by law to disclose my medical considtions that I would share a little this time for educational purposes.

Well, it's been really great to have her, and now I have gone beyond just trying to fit a legal definition to keep her here. I love training her, and she helps me in so many ways with my ADHD symptoms. Sometimes just having her sit near my feet while I work helps me to stay calm and to focus. Her best "task" yet may be that she gives me a "hug" on command.  :o) 

Right now she is learning how to use a K-9 rescue phone. Last year I had 3 seizures we think due to ADHD med/depression med combinations. They were so bad that I hit my head and had to have an MRI. I was so sick to my stomach afterward that I couldn't get to the phone. So,  I purchased this special phone that has a big button that is configured to call my mom (not 911--don't want any expensive boo boo's). She is almost fully trained to "Dial" on command. A dog could also be trained to fetch a cell phone or something too, but she's not a fetcher.

I am really excited about the possibilities and training seems to be a naturnal motivation for me. Remember how we talked about this? I just never seem to get sick of it or her specifically. That's pretty good for a poster ADHD woman.

Anway, just thought I'd share and look forward to others who want to discuss this.

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That is awesome. I wonder if there are any other ADHD related service dogs out there. 8 )Reizende, I know that you're probably teasing, but yes...there are several ADHD ppl in my group and we discuss tasks to help them with things like "providing an alert to remember to take meds," "help with focus" etc.

I am severely hypoglycemic and borderline diabetic (come from a family of diabetics). Being on Adderall, I have no appetite and I am prone to fainting. Also, it is dangerous for me to have radical blood sugar changers. Guess what? Cheech provides a natural reminder for me to eat. She comes to my desk several times a day and wags and smiles at me and then leads me to the kitchen. I give her a carrot and then I eat something too. What a fun change for a task that is normally a big chore for me.

Also, Cheech almost died over the 4th of July weekend (she had a severe reaction to her rabies vaccination) and I had to cook for her. ME! COOK! Now, I shop and cook both of us and I don't mind a bit. In fact, I'm eating a lot healthier since I started buying things like tofu, spinach, chicken, and other vegetables to get her back to health.

Here's her website if you're bored... http://members.cox.net/sara_ndipity/ The people in our group share photos.

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Wow!  I think that this is so wonderful.  As I read your post I was thinking maybe this is what I need.  I'm not working...but I won't go into that...However I find myself lost for things to do.  One of the things I have thought of doing with my time is visiting retirement centers.  Just to talk, read, or just be there.  I love animals, but I haven't had a pet for a while due to changes going on in my life...which I won't go into that either.

Training a dog might be a good thing for me!  It would also fit good with going to visit others that are lonley.

[QUOTE=bluebird38]Reizende, I know that you're probably teasing, but yes...there are several ADHD ppl in my group and we discuss tasks to help them with things like "providing an alert to remember to take meds," "help with focus" etc.

I am severely hypoglycemic and borderline diabetic (come from a family of diabetics). Being on Adderall, I have no appetite and I am prone to fainting. Also, it is dangerous for me to have radical blood sugar changers. Guess what? Cheech provides a natural reminder for me to eat. She comes to my desk several times a day and wags and smiles at me and then leads me to the kitchen. I give her a carrot and then I eat something too. What a fun change for a task that is normally a big chore for me.

Also, Cheech almost died over the 4th of July weekend (she had a severe reaction to her rabies vaccination) and I had to cook for her. ME! COOK! Now, I shop and cook both of us and I don't mind a bit. In fact, I'm eating a lot healthier since I started buying things like tofu, spinach, chicken, and other vegetables to get her back to health.

Here's her website if you're bored... http://members.cox.net/sara_ndipity/ The people in our group share photos.

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[/QUOTE]

 

err teasing? Teasing about what? I think that's cool. Wish I had someone to follow around after me and make sure I get things done WITHOUT being babied hehe.

My dog is ADHD *grin*--she's a border collie, but ADHD traits in her are
considered a GOOD thing!!

As a veterinarian I have the opportunity to see how pets can change a
person's life and certainly their outlook on life! I don't just mean the
typical dogs and cats either--rats are a popular "therapy pet" as well.

Most places with veterinary schools and/or children's hospitals have
programs called PALS pets, it stands for pet-assisted love and support.
These are pets that go through an evaluation and have special permission
to visit children's hospitals and nursing homes. I know Columbia,
Missouri and Madison, Wisconsin has this program.

Pets in this program are usually not "service dogs" and don't meet the
definition for purposes of the law (unless a dual-duty dog for seizure
indicating, seeing-eye, helping-paws, etc.). BUT, participating in a
program like PALS also allows the owner to feel important because they
are helping to brighten someone's day--it's a cool thing.

Because of the zoonotic disease, toxoplasmosis, carried by the majority
of cats, cats are rarely allowed in the program. Toxo is not a problem
except for immunosuppresed individuals. (Most people have been
exposed by late teenage years from eating undercooked meat!).

Anyhow--sorry for the long post--I just think the human-animal bond is
sooo coool and sooo important!

Bluebird,

That is just the best post yet!  I am a total animal lover and I couldn't help but grin when you - the proud parent of the pooch - watched your dog do it's thing perfectly.  Wow, what you did/are doing is terrific in so many ways. 

Reizende--oops, misread, sorry.  

Yoda--I love Border Collies. Ok, I love just about all dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, regular pigs...LOL, rats (yes rats), and some hamsters. 

There are two programs here that I thought I might volunteer Cheech for. One is a reading program for children where children with reading problems read to a calm, sweet dog. Apparently it improves their reading skills...it's fun for the kids. The other is visiting children in domestic abuse or homeless shelters. Apparently it helps them to feel secure and good.

She ADORES children almost to exclusion. She was loose at the dog park one day and she trotted up to a little 4-year-old boy. First, when he pet her she gave him a tender little kiss on the nose and then she started heeling with him; just walking along right next to his side like she was his little buddy. It was as sweet as just about anything I've ever seen.

Auntie--Aww, thank you. You made my day. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to find something that sustains my interest. I have always envied that in other people and have sometimes tried to adopt mainstream interests (golf, theatre, tennis, scrapbooking, wine tasting...you name it) only to find that it felt like a chore and I wasn't good at it (well, actually walking Cheech at 2 a.m. IS a chore, but I do it with love).

I just find myself checking my mailbox for my next issue of Bark! magazine, watching even re-runs of The Planet's Funniest Animals and Pet Star, and never tiring of pet talk...I have been this way since I was a child. Did I mention that I trained our 12-year-old beagle how to play dead, roll over, sit up and beg when I was 12? LOL.

I even used to answer "famous dog trainer" when people asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. Somehow that became an embarrassing answer at some point and I felt pressured to answer something more "impressive" when I went to college. I mean, my ex-boyfriend was a famous "doctor" after all.  I guess until now I have kind of overlooked this as an interest since I have been living in a pet-free environment for so long.

You can't imagine the joy it is just to smell her fur and have her presence here every day. I feel rich and like I am really "home." I never really feel comfortable saying I "own" her. I always just feel thankful that she allows me to take care of her and teach her things.

This would be great, I could get a dog and bring him/her with me everywhere.  Stores, library, etc.   My old dog really hated waiting in the car for us.