Inappropriate Service Dog Handler Behavior

Shorty Rossi, a celebrity who has the opportunity to be a good example of service dog teams --he engages in this behavior with his dog in a restaurant: (Link to another blog where this is discussed --photo included)

Inappropriate Service Dog Handler Behavior

First of all, it is VERY inappropriate and unprofessional to feed your service dog off a plate in a restaurant. Since this person is in the limelight, it sets a very bad example of service dog teams and bad publicity --this is not appropriate or condoned behavior in the service dog community.

As much as I like to be supportive of other service dog teams, I cannot turn a blind eye to this type of behavior. It is abhorrent.

Fridge--Just for Fun :)

Today, Leon and I revisited a skill that isn't something I need him to do for me at this time --so we did it just for fun and for something to do here at home.

Here's the video:

Enjoy! :D

Brief-ish Update

Sorry I haven't written in a few weeks. Not a whole lot going on.

I was grounded from driving at the beginning of the month by my doctors pending some testing. My syncope attacks haven't been well-controlled by my medication anymore and have come on with less and less time standing. So my cardiologist upped my medication and sent me to a neurologist for consult. I had an EEG 2 weeks ago and a VNG (dizziness test) last week --I find out the results tomorrow --and if I can be cleared to drive again.

So Leon and I have been stuck mostly at home base this month. Been having some beautiful weather, so Leon has got to go for runs with my scooter (posted a video on YouTube of our run last week to the pond near my house --he likes watching the duck, turtles and fish). A close friend of mine and her husband picked us up on Saturday and we went to the mall --Leon was SO happy to be out working (and to have it not be another doctor's appointment!) My friends pushed me in a mall wheelchair and Leon heeled next to it. He did wonderfully. It was good to get out of the apartment and spend time with good friends.

Hopefully sometime soon I'll get back to making videos of Leon in gear working and doing more tasks that he does to help me (and some other tasks/tricks just for fun). Kind of got a little burned out for a while. Will give me something constructive and fun to do instead of whiling away my days on the Internet. And Leon will enjoy it.

Things People Say to SD Handlers

This YouTube video is a great one that showcases things that people say to service dog handlers. I have actually heard almost all of these things at one point or another. Haha

Usually opens up a good chance for education and dispelling some common myths/misconceptions about persons with disabilities and the assistance dogs that they are partnered with.

Morning Routine

Hi y'all!

Leon and I are doing okay. I've been having some crazy syncope/heart stuff, so we've mostly been resting at home the past few days (got out for a few hours yesterday, but it was rough). I see my cardiologist on Thursday.

I saw this video on YouTube about a cat vs. dog trick contest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5dIB2oF6sQ&list=FLodC-thEUDY4sU51bK9uvLg&index=1&feature=plpp_video

It inspired me to do some "for fun" clicker training with Leon and Marzipan (I've really not done much training at all in a while, to be honest). Would be something fun for us to do while I'm here at home --mental stimulation for both animals (Marzipan will do ANYTHING for her Feline Greenies --and Leon, well, he's a Lab and loves FOOD --so he will work well for his kibble/special treats).

Here is a video I took this morning of our "morning routine" of doling out breakfast. Marzipan's "sit pretty" --I taught that using the clicker and shaping her behavior (it serves a purpose --keeps her from getting in the way while I'm pouring her food into her bowl).

Lastly, I leave you with this photo of Leon and Marzipan:

Until next time. :)

Food Bowl Retrieval

For those that remember the whole food bowl ordeal when Leon and I got home from training (where he suddenly decided he was terrified of his stainless steel food bowl and could not possibly retrieve it--even though he had been retrieving it for quite a while) --well, we overcame that issue after a little over a month of trial and error (and with help from knowledgeable people at Service Dog Central). He has retrieved the bowl without issue ever since.

Finally got a video of him retrieving and carrying the bowl. This was taken at college group last night --he had been running around playing and was thirsty --so he picked up his bowl and carried it to the water fountains. :)

I also got video of him playing, but have to fiddle with the video a bit, so I'll post that when I get it finished.

Sorry!

Holy cow! Has it really been 2 months since I have updated this blog?!? I am so sorry! Life has been a bit nuts for a while.

Leon and I are doing okay. We moved into my new apartment on December 1. He now has enough room to play inside if the weather is yucky and a big yard outside the building to play on (on a long line) when the weather is good.

I didn't wind up graduating with my M.S. I have a good GPA, but didn't pass one section out of three on my comprehensive exam, so I didn't get to graduate. :(

Trying to figure out where to go from here. Looking into another program --will be meeting the adviser in January to go over things. Looking for part-time work still.

Getting back into really working with my dog --I kind of went on auto-pilot a bit with him for the past month and a half and let some things slide that I shouldn't have. But we are working on it and he's still working wonderfully! He takes really good care of me!

The Wed. before Christmas, we went to Santa's Wonderland in College Station. HUGE place, lots of lights and people --very overstimulating place for me (but had fun) --Leon thought the hay ride was boring (he laid down and took a nap), but thought the hustle and bustle of Santa's Town was fun! He was a little sniffy here and there, but overall he kept his focus well and did fantastic!

At my family's get-together on Christmas Eve, he even handed out presents to everyone --and didn't drop a single one! :D

Have to head to bed soon, so I leave you all with a photo of Leon at the church before our Santa's Wonderland outing. And, yes, he wore those for the entire outing. :)