How Has Using a Service Dog Impacted Your Life?
I don’t know about you, but I can’t write enough about the benefits of having a service dog in my life. Currently, I am still in the Prep Service Dog phase of my process in acquiring my permanent service dog named Molly. My prep-dog’s name is Zach and while he doesn’t have the customized skills for me that Molly will have, the quality of my life has improved in ways I never dreamed of.
I bet you are like I was at the beginning of this journey toward getting a service dog. While doing my research on how to obtain a mobility assistance service dog I dreamed about the increasing freedom I would find by working with a service dog. While I new in my head my life would change for the better, I never really knew the extend of how my life would improve. I can do my best to describe it, but until you know from experience the freedom I experience then it will be hard for you to relate. But trust me, if you’re new to the service dog “process” or culture, I promise your life will change for the better in ways you never dreamed about.
I knew that I would get relief as Zach and Molly carried a pack for me, opened and closed doors for me, and other things. But the increase in my desire and my energy to do other things was an unforeseen benefit. My goal for wanting a service dog was simply to get my life to a “bearable” status. I did not know the joy that would return to me as I worked with Zach and Molly. I missed the joyful parts of my personality, and I am grateful that my joy has returned to me.
I did not know how much easier getting help in public would become with Zach by my side. What I am learning is that a service dog is a positive indicator for someone with an invisible disability who may need help. Before Zach, shopping of any kind was a fear inducing activity. I knew that I would run into situations where I would need human help. But I also knew that because my disability is invisible it was hard to get the help I needed. However, having Zach with me, provides a positive visual cue for the world around me. Now when I go shopping I can ask for help with bags that are too heavy for Zach to carry and get help getting my bags to and into the car. I don’t have to justify myself, try to explain my disability or pray that someone believes me that I cannot lift, push or pull, seemingly easy objects.
Instead of talking with people about what I cannot do for myself, I get the opportunity to talk to people about what I can do with Zach or Molly’s help. I believe with all my heart that anytime we get to speak positively about a person or situation, we get stronger. Negative talk leans to depression and anxiety. We will eventually believe what we say about ourselves to ourselves and others. Molly and Zach give me positive information to tell myself and others.
I know some people believe that using a service dog is a crutch that keeps you “”weak.”" I know this because I have had a few “”friends”" tell me this to my face. However, I am finding that the opposite is true. Working with Zach and Molly has made me physically stronger. How is this possible? Well, they help me with the tasks that I can’t do or cause me the greatest amount of physical pain. By carrying that burden for me I am able to focus what energy and strength I do have on skills that I can do for myself. When I can repeatedly focus on what I can do for myself my physical strength increases. Funny how that works (insert sarcasm here).
Possibly the most surprising benefit of working with Zach is his ability to alert me to a fibromyalgia, myofacial, and nerve pain increase. Let’s face it when you have chronic pain there is a certain amount of pain that is just a normal part of life. However, flare ups are rarely predictable and often hit at extremely inconvenient times. But really, is having unbearable pain really convenient at all? Chronic pain knows no schedule. However, Zach has learned to how to alert me about 10-15 minutes before the pain hits its highest intensity levels. Can you imagine how life-changing it is to have a 10-15 minute head start on increasing pain levels? This is huge deal for me. Now I have 10-15 minutes to get medicine in me, and to change body positions, or do anything else that will keep the pain at bay. 10-15 minutes is life time when you think about it in terms of a warning period.
There is more, but I want to stopping talking about me for bit and hear from you. Tell us: How has using a service dog changed your life for the better? Inquiring minds want to know and ignorant minds need the education 
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