Leaving my Service Dog at Home?! 🐕 (9/18/18)

[@meenik6489]

Hi Jacquie, i just wanted to share this news with you. Yesterday we got a letter in the mail, township agreed to pay for the training for my dog to become a service dog (owner training doesn't excist in my country, so we'll be doing team training. I will train my dog with guidance). Today i got a phone call saying my new trainer will come tomorrow!! We've been fighting for this for months so this is so exciting!!! My dog will finally be an official service dog!!!!

[@analarson2920]

So awesome for you, many prayers and blessings!

[@amandakerr8267]

AutismAlex that’s so awesome to hear! I wish you luck!

[@ChronicallyJaquie]

That is amazing!

[@meenik6489]

@@ChronicallyJaquie we just had our first meeting and it went amazing!!!

[@meenik6489]

Thank you all😘

[@Galadhwen]

Omg, I also have a service dog (guide dog) and I TOTALLY KNOW what you mean about outings taking longer, and the wanting to be "normal" for an hour or two without the pup. It is sometimes exhausting having a second body to look after, but as you know, it is well worth it!

[@TuggerAbbey]

I am learning how much time my service dog in training puppy can handle. We do short outings and he is learning. We went out to eat today and the waitress really wanted to pet him, but she knew she couldn’t. Sometimes it’s hard for me to handle a dog, cane and pick up groceries etc. I need to learn how to manage. We live in Florida and I have to make sure he has plenty of water and potty breaks.

[@Mary-op8hi]

When I leave mine at home it's pretty much for the exact same reasons Jaquie mentioned, she's sick, she's "off", or I need a "day without the kids"

[@survivingstripes9853]

You are such an inspiration! I was recently admitted to Stanford Hospital in California and was diagnosed with EDS type 3, POTS, Syncope, MCAS, Gastroparesis, Spontaneous Spinal Leaks, and PICC related DVT’s. I am currently on TPN and Saline infusions and having surgery next week for a med port and GJ tube. I was told by one of my Stanford doctors to look you up and I am so glad I did! I have watched almost all of your videos! I find such comfort in them! I am in the process of being matched with a service dog and have looked to your videos for advice. I looked for you on FB and IG but no luck. Do you ever communicate with others like myself that are like you? I have yet to talk or meet anyone like me. I felt so alone until I looked you up. I feel very overwhelmed and confused and would love a buddy! You are such a beautiful person and I would be lucky to get to know you!!

[@jericamayberry1517]

I sometimes leave my service dog (Guide dog) at home if I’m just going over to a friends house just to give him and myself a break. He also gets lots of down time when I go my college’s soccer games! 😀

[@petspluseds]

When I go to my regular places to run errands if my SD isn’t with me they question where she is at. LOL!

[@ravenredfeather5203]

Omg I feel this so much! I have a psychiatric service dog too. I decided to get one after learning a lot from you and Janice about service dogs. My mental health team decided that it would be a good idea for me to have one. It’s given me so much freedom to have my service dog with me. It allows me and my fiancé to not have to worry about my illnesses as much. Before it was a constant worry so I just wouldn’t leave the house for fear of having a massive episode or anxiety attack in public... Not to mention that I am actually now looking at a diagnosis of Autism as well now. However, occasionally Nina has her off days as well. So I leave her at home. Sometimes I go on very quick runs or spontaneous runs somewhere so either I don’t take her or she’s just not currently with me. Occasionally on dates with my fiancé, I chose not to take her so we can have the time alone together. I’m really glad that you posted this video. Thank you! I have been having these anxieties come up. Nina and I frequent certain stores... I usually always take her. But occasionally I don’t like to take her to Walmart with me. It’s a big task for me to handle already and Nina is popular with the people, even the employees love her. She’s a husky with unique markings so people like to ask about her. Plus she’s a dog... So yea... It makes it more of a pain. There is a guy that stands at the door and I can literally feel his judgments. Months ago he tried to stop me from coming in so my fiancé went straight to the managers. They know us. The way he spoke to us was Horrible. I cried over it... He never said a word again, and still doesn’t. But he makes faces... But in this recent month, I haven’t brought Nina as much with me... Last time I brought her I got this nasty look from him... Like he thinks I am lying to just bring my dog with me. Like I have actual illnesses that require my dog to be task trained to help me... And it frustrates me to be judged over something like that... It’s my choice as a handler whether or not I take her. Sometimes it’s actually a good day and I can function mostly by myself so I can let Nina have the day off. Other days I risk it for a quick run... I dunno why I am letting this One person affect me so much... I guess it is because I am afraid if he thinks it then maybe other people will too. So thank you for posting this. It makes me feel better knowing that I’m not the only one that occasionally leaves their service dog at home.

[@shadowingsong]

As someone who works at Walmart, the door greeter should have never said anything to you. He is honestly not allowed as far as I have been told by door greeters at my store. This is honestly a good and horrible thing. It is good because they cannot give actual teams a hard time but on the flip side they can't stop someone from being a dog in who is obviously NOT a service dog in the store. And what I mean by obviously not a service dog is I mean a small puppy who is barely able to leave his mom or the dog they bring in and throw in the cart that everybody loves on and is trying to see everybody or the one that barks at a cashier. I am sorry that you are having this experience, I would go back to the manager and talk to them about it because they can and should do something about it. Walmart is big on non-discrimination so he is most definitely in the wrong.

[@ravenredfeather5203]

Thanks. Yes you are right. The manager had told me that they aren’t even allowed to really ask. Which legally establishments are allowed to ask some questions but according to my Walmart they aren’t allowed to question at all. I’ve heard other places say that too. It is good and bad... Helps real teams out so we don’t have to be hassled... But on the other hand people just bring their untrained dogs in too... One time Nina and I were walking around Walmart... I was having a panic attack and next thing I know my fiancé is like “Honey”... I was like what??? Then I look and realize some dude let his dog literally get up in Nina’s face and start barking at her. Nina got a little startled but didn’t bark back or anything. I heard someone say that Nina caused that dog to bark. It made me so mad. Nina knows to ignore other people and animals... She was doing her job... I literally watched her. She didn’t even realize the dog was there until it was in her face!!! I had to walk off with my dog and go calm down. That guy wasn’t watching his dog at all... It was barking at people and all... It made me feel better when other people later around me actually said that they know Nina didn’t cause it and was very good...

[@alexisd8190]

You explained this great I get so annoyed with people who don’t understand this. You are such a great role model and I love watching your videos and your journey x

[@lisaackroyd2203]

Thank you for this topic. People don’t understand sometimes why our dogs aren’t always with us. Often times we are under a microscope and judged for our decisions.

[@ceciwolfcat7]

She's a great dog and a blessing to you, as you are to her. Thanks for thinking about her too Jaquie❣🐕💛

[@susanlevine779]

You and Harlow make a great team. You seem to be very in tune to each other's needs. It's obviously a two way street. Good luck tomorrow with the pain management treatment. I hope you get much deserved relief.

[@OfficiallyLydiasLife]

Thanks for this video!! I totally agree with all these reasons! Especially when u said we have to put our SD needs before our own. I see so many habdlers online who forget that peice. I saw a handler online who took her SD down a escalator without doggy booties. She explained she knew that was wrong because his nails could have gotten caught and cut off, but she didn't know she was gonna stop at the mall and was with a group of ppl so wanted to go with them anyways even though she "Forgot" his booties. It wasn't even like she had to get anything down stairs, she simply wanted to stay with her group. She could have went down a elevator or stairs and if she couldn't do eaither of those she should of just explained to her group it wasn't safe for the dog. Or ppl work dogs even while they are sick (or even pregnant when they choose to breed them) and those ppl honestly upset me the most. Especially when someone told me there dog was sick so they still worked them but put them in a stroller and she said her dog couldn't task if he wanted too. Those ppl make me the most upset!! But the most common reason I leave my dog at home (besides all the ones u mentioned) but is to simply have a break. Its like being with a 3 year old all day long and we simply need breaks. I can't go anywhere alone but if like u said a trusted family member was with me like my mom, then I don't need him as much. He still alerts and stuff but if anything happened my mom would be there. Also she knows my dog helps me greatly and is very supportive, but I know every once in a while she wants to go with her daughter alone. So I leave him at home sometimes for those reasons :)

[@analarson2920]

Good points, many folks do not realize how dangerous and deadly escalators are, honestly we just should not have them. I once handled a lawsuit many years ago where a malfunction killed a woman and her child, it just broke open. All it takes is something to get stuck like their tail hairs that just suck it down into the grooves and there is no coming back from that. Just too gross, plus when SD Teams screw up they screw it up for everyone, especially something major like that. By the way the case never got settled as there were so many companies in the lawsuit it just went on forever, so the families really lost out. Prayers for smarter ideas.

[@ebonymarie7016]

Hey Jaquie---> Got my Hello Hippo Hoodie!!!!! YAY!

[@imparfaite]

When I learned my psych sd had hip dysplasia, she became an at-home only service dog. She helps me with lots of things at home. And I found that, for my situation, not having her with me in public ultimately worked out better because I wasn't the girl with the dog and a giant spotlight on myself. And even though she has chronic diseases it doesn't slow her from aiding me. Since her work is psychiatric, it's not physically demanding on her and I make sure she gets plenty of downtime.

[@karu2936]

Wow i love harrlow and you and jud and y’all inspire me to do great things every day

[@mishamarie79]

I love watching your videos. I especially love this one. I have a service dog named Harley who is my brace, mobility, and pain dog. I will leave him home a lot if my fiance is with me and can do the stuff Harley normally does like open doors, keep me upright, or help me up from sitting or bending. I also leave him home when I go to clean environments. I am the same as you I don't leave home without someone or him with me. I feel you on how it is when they have an off day and you are stuck at home also. Please keep making videos and prayers for you all.

[@sarahtennyson7260]

Great insight...thanks! She is precious!💖🐾

[@hollyosgerby1901]

Thanks for sharing, Jaquie. I am sure that Harlow enjoys a day off now and again but I am sure that, if you asked her, she would rather be right by your side. 🐕❤️❤️🤗

[@6sweetiepie]

I will leave my dog home if it is to hot outside and I live in the southwestern states

[@amandakerr8267]

I leave mine at home for one of my jobs. They know my medical and physiological issues and what my episodes look like and know how to handle the situation. But because it’s outside and on a boat it’s not safe for her, so I leave her at home. I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one that sometimes leaves their SD home for specific things.

[@puppytrainer2492]

I agree that service dogs need a break from time to time I feel like it makes them rested and more ready to work again

[@joannewirtz6525]

Generally days that I leave Riya home are what I call my "good days." If I'm not having a flare and feel comfortable just going with a close friend instead. We also went through a few months where Riya had to stay home because she was attacked during an outing, and ended up having residual issues from the encounter. Luckily she was able to be rehabbed from the incident but on the rare days she has an off day, she stays home now.

[@allikelly5206]

Harlow has the best paws!! Hope you have a good procedure day and everything goes swimmingly 🐳

[@MannOrchardsMovies]

Loving your content lately!!! Good luck with your procedure!

[@jjhasnogame1070]

Im training my service dog right now. She has bad anxiety and separation issues. If i need to leave her behind i let her go to one of her puppy friends houses. Just having her help me but also jems anxiety

[@analarson2920]

Thank you for sharing, I always love your videos, your specific ones on Harlow are my favorite. It is how I found you, love all that you share it helps us all to think, ponder and pray on what we need to do. For me my SD stays at home to either learn about certain length of crate training and also to be with others in case that urgency comes up. There are places she is not ready for or I may not be ready for having her there. She has actually made it to P/T where I had my therapist assess the movements we do to play and train to make sure it was good for me. I was paranoid as she is still in training but she did awesome and it really helped. Other times especially with long appointments it just is too much for me. We are getting out more and doing more but I also make sure I am fair otherwise we have mistakes and/or accidents and I try to aim for success and not stress. Blessings!

[@lynnrose7562]

Hi Jaquie, I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I will be praying for you for when you get the shot. Harlow is certainly your buddy. I mean I know that she is your service dog but you can see the love between you and her. Harlow looks so cute with your head on your lap.

[@KittKattRED]

I'm so happy to be able to watch your journey! You are looking so well and like you've been able to eat more! Anyway, thank you for inspiring me.

[@crystalcroft8318]

Jaquie where do you get your beautiful blankets?

[@ServiceDogRosie]

Yes, my dog was fine and had normal #2 in am my dr was at 2pm amd I took Rosie with me and she started to whine ger up from her downstay and gk to the door, then then bad happened diarrhea explosive all over exam room floor, linnen hamper.. mind you we are om the 4th floor of building in center of it sk we cant run outside immediately... so, the appointment with rheumatologist was cut short, I cleaned up the mess as much as I could and left crying and with a sick pup... she acted fine before... well clme to find out ahe ate greasy human food fried chicken and more my family fed her..

[@jpjpvds]

Lol!! Yeah, from what us "outsiders" can see, with Harlow you're actually in great "paws"!! Then again, she's got a great place in her family so she gets as good as she gives. Darling pup!!!!!!

[@punky19761]

Especially when your dog is getting older, and the dog may be gradually not working anymore, that’s going to be sad for the person (and the dog) so the constant questions about it can be a lot.

[@rds479]

Typically when I have a dog to work I don't leave the dog at home often I prefer to work through and off today if I'm able to do so. I do however leave my service dogs at home if the weather is extremely wet and windy the cold and wet compromises my ability to handle and typically I will only go out for short trips on these days anyway. I made a conscious effort when I had my German Shepherd service dog to not leave the dog at home at people's request because this undermines the bond between me and the dog however there were other circumstances other than somebody just requesting that I'm not bring my dog depending on the situation I would leave my dog at home

[@alienmissy4836]

At the end it kinda looks like Harlow's thinking "moom, what are you doing? Why are you lifting up my paw like that?" but at the same time trying to look as though she just doesn't care at all😂

[@maryheartnet1990]

I know I have pain all over my body my friend when he was 16 four men stabed him in the back shot him in the stomach broke is juy he knows to you are doing the right thing

[@stephanieschubert7007]

Jaquie I was just wondering if you've heard of these shoes billyfootwear.com/ supposedly the have a zipper and are SUPER easy to fit over your braces!!

[@liamodonovan3437]

Great video you both need a day off from each other that's ok you are amazing Jacquie and Harlow is so adorable love you both

[@mimimann3699]

Praying for you sweet girl your body be healed in Jesus name. I used to pray I still pray for God to heal me from my chronic pain and I always pray, "God I know there's people out there worse than me and please heal them too" and now I've met you online and I pray for you sweet girl God bless you all.?

[@alyssawssinging4039]

Hey jaquie

[@alienmissy4836]

Habe you ever had friends/do you have friends who never answer/ignore your texts when you tell them about a doctors visit or your pain or similar things? My best friends always ignores my texts when I tell her about my pain and I'm honestly really struggling with it, because right now all I do is stay in bed or on the couch because of the pain and exhaustion, so I don't really have anything else to talk about.. My friends have also started talking less with me now that I am sick and in pain 24/7... I saw one friend for maybe an hour about a month ago.. other than that it's been 5 months since I've seen any of my friends, and I have 4 friends living in the same city as me. I really don't know how to cope with that 😕

[@ravenredfeather5203]

This isn’t exactly the same thing, but I can relate a little bit to your situation... I have mental health illnesses. Before I got diagnosed I noticed my friends and family were getting very frustrated with me and always blowing up at me. Once my health took a turn for the worst and I was looking at being admitted into a psychiatric facility because of my severe suicidal tendencies, I noticed the more I had these episodes the less people talked to me. I was finally diagnosed with severe Bipolar 1 Disorder and other mental illnesses. My mental health team is actually looking at the possibility of Autism as well. My fiancé wants me screened for Autism and Absentee seizures... Now that I have my diagnosis I went from having friends to not having any friends... My family choses to ignore my illnesses and try to pretend they are not real... For some reason, when people seem to be in any form of pain other people chose to distant themselves. Like it is something to be ashamed of... You just have to remember that it is nothing to be ashamed of and you are not the problem. People fear what they do not understand. That doesn’t make it right that they suddenly block you out of their lives, but that may be why. It’s really sad but it happens. You just have to learn to focus on you, instead of other people. Your health is what is most important right now. Try to lean on the people around you that haven’t distanced themselves. If you have no one, consider going to a support group. Just try to hang in there. Blessed be 💙

[@lovelygal212]

What happens when Harlow gets too old?i would assume you will need to get a new service dog and having 2 dogs might be a bit much for you. Whats the process??

[@gloriaaguilar692]

When you leave her or having a very sleepy day, do you you have a dog walker come take her out or at least a doggie door to let herself out to your patio?

[@trashwaterthe7th570]

Hey I just got diagnosed with POTS. Is there something I can do to make it flare up less?

[@amandagriffin1374]

There are a lot of Facebook support groups for POTS patients. I have learned a ton through them and wanted to share in case you haven't found them yet. Maybe you can get some of your answers there also.

[@tadie1235]

They are human and need time off- too bad what people think

[@mavisme4645]

I generally leave my SD in the car if I'm visiting the home of someone else as I don't want their pets/kids climbing all over her. Also, I feel like bringing her inside someone's home is a bit too much, even if they will allow it. The few times I've done it, the home owner always seems to feel like they now have the right to pet her and distract her because she is under their roof. Another time that I will leave her in the car is if I'm eating at a buffet. I feel 'mean' making her get up and down a bunch of times because I keep going back to fill my plate with all the different options!! I wouldn't eat at a buffet by myself, so I always have a family member there that can go up with me in place of my SD. The last place is at my dentist office. She simply doesn't fit in the cubicles where they do the tooth cleaning! She'd be laying on all sorts of uncomfortable things and being kicked and bumped constantly. In situations like these, I always wish she was there, but I choose to leave her for her own safety and comfort.

[@karenannmcmillan2206]

Mavis & Me it’s not safe leaving your Service Dog in a car. In fact, it’s illegal in many states to leave any animal in a car that is unattended and your Service Dog could be confiscated by the police or Animal Control Officers for neglect and you could be fined for animal abuse. Please, please don’t do this. Please check your local laws. You also risk having your Service Dog and your car stolen. There has been enough information put out on television and social media about the value of trained Service Dogs. Do you really want to take that risk?

[@barefootanddreaded]

I often leave my guy at home if I'm going to be spending time at my parents home for more than an hour or so. My dude is only 30#, and (obviously) well behaved. But my parents have a young 80# bloodhound who jumps all over my guy and has no manners. If I stop by my parent's for a short spell, they'll lock him in their room. But he barks and howls, so it's not great for visiting -- more for just dropping something off or picking something up, and I happen to have my guy with me. But if we're (my husband and I) going up there for dinner and to hang out for an extended period of time -- Rhyder gets that time OFF! For sure!

[@leaf7392]

I'm not late for once 😂😂

[@angiemarquez06]

Hey

[@pencilpalmtree3573]

Oh wow I’m early I’m literally the First view... I seek validation

[@14Raine14]

Hey Jackie and Harlow! SD Trinket and I love your videos! SD Trinket comes just about everywhere with me, but there are times when it's not save for her to come with me. Once place is a friend of mine's home, her dog is not friendly towards other dogs and it would not save for Trinket to come with me. Sometimes I go out somewhere public that is not safe for her in one way or another, like if I were to go to a concert that was exceptionally loud or crowded. And then there are other days that she may spend some time in her kennel practicing that skill, as there will be a time in the future, hopefully a long long time from now, where Trinket will retire, and she will need to stay home. This way she always remains used to seeing me leave without her :)

[@-_9829]

RN i feel terrible mentally... my mom is very upset because of my school which denies that i have eds... I am even getting almost bullied by my music teacher one day in class. HE said to me after i was goofing around "So you can throw yourself on the floor, but you can't walk up stairs." Because im not supposed to do stairs cause im a fall hazard. That hurt me. Oswego NY really needs to get teachers who can deal with kids like me... Right now im kinda looking for comfort cause of my anxiety and ash burgers :(

[@amymahoney4097]

Caylyn Salmonsen// "Ash Burgers"..?? Shouldn't cook your food so long;; but then again.. people with aspbergers syndrome... :\

[@barefootanddreaded]

Erm.... you mean asperger's*???

[@Heckle.Jeckle.]

I'm sorry. I was bullied by a few teachers before I became homeschooled so I totally understand.