The Benefits of Service Dogs to Individuals Living With EDS and HSD - Ellen Lenox Smith

Ellen presents on the many practical and medical uses that service dogs can be in assisting individuals living with EDS and HSD in our "Living with EDS and HSD" webinar series.

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

Unfortunately, people showing an ID card to an employee who asks for it just makes it harder for those who don't have an ID card. Not many people realize that.

[@oliviababb4936]

Exactly my thought. Showing an ID may make life easier for *you* in that moment, but it is at the expense of every handler who comes after you. Folks, even if you have an ID, please don't show it when asked. Stand your ground, and defend your right to be there with a service dog *without* an ID (which the law clearly states you do not need, and CANNOT legally be asked for). Do this not just for yourself, but for all the other teams that come after you. Part of owning a service dog (fairly or unfairly) is a responsibility to educate. You may very well be the first handler someone has ever seen, or interacted with. It can be exhausting, but that's what ADA law cards (or supportive friends/family/partners) are for.

[@SnowySpiritRuby]

As a future handler, my plan is to carry several law cards with me, and if someone ask me for an ID, I'm going to pull out a law card, give it to them, and keep going (I've got a whole pack of them for this exact reason). That way, I'm still handing them a card (which is technically what they asked for), but it should take them just long enough to realize it's not an ID that I can continue on my way, and when they do realize, hopefully they'll take the time to actually read it (instead of completely disregarding it and trying to come after me and demand an actual ID instead). I know that for some handlers that wouldn't be their first choice, but I'm including it in my plan because I don't always have the time or energy to stand/sit there and talk to an employee who's refusing to let me in without me showing a supposed ID card, but it still allows me to educate them on, among other things, the fact that IDs cannot even be asked for. On a similar vein, when I fly, I'm going to keep the printout of whichever country/ies I'm flying out of/into/through's security rules for SDs and the SD rules for each of the airlines I'll be flying. That way, I can show them their own rules if they try to give me a hard time - for example, for TSA (America, and any other foreign airports who have adopted TSA - there are a small handful, I just don't know which ones specifically (TSA isn't universal)), the officer is not allowed to tell you to take any gear off that either labels the dog as an SD or allows you to maintain control of the dog (so vest/harness/cape/leash wrap/etc. and collar/leash/harness/etc., whatever you and your dog use for those purposes): you are more than welcome to yourself choose to take any or all of it off (and that choice is 100% up to you), but the officers are not allowed to tell you to do it; some will try to insist on you taking the gear off because they just don't want to deal with having to do the required patdown of the dog if the dog alarms, even though they know they know that secondary screening is required if the machine alarms. Not being required to remove them is a less well known rule, so there are many officers and handlers who think that all metal, or even all gear regardless of material, has to come off for security (I had to set my own best friend, a TSO of 6 years, straight on that one). It does make me curious, though - if you live in a country that doesn't require SD ID (like the U.S.) but visit a country that does require it (don't know which ones do off the top of my head, but I know there are some), which country's law applies? Maybe it should seem obvious, but it's one of those things that I could easily see going either way.

[@AdrianaBazz]

This was so helpful thank you so much. I’m currently training my service dog and he is already so wonderful and helpful with my disability

[@raisedbywolves72]

I'm exploring getting a puppy and doing the same as you.

[@MmmTea82]

I have EDS, Dysautonomia, and a laundry list of comorbidities. I would get so much benefit from service dog (physically, mentally, and emotionally), but there are many things that are currently preventing me from being able to get one: My husband has a pretty severe allergy to cats and dogs. And because I love him and since he is my main caregiver, I do not want to risk his health. I also am concerned about being able to give my service dog enough exercise; my mobility and stamina issues may make it difficult to provide the dog with enough physical activity. And lastly, the cost. Service dogs are extremely expensive and with me not being able to work, our budget is already very tight. It really sucks... I feel lost and I don't know what to do.

[@szczurek2725]

Is there any transcript of this? It would make it much easier. Also do you have any more resources on service dogs for eds patients?

[@mitchwyld6838]

I have HEDS and POTS debating getting a mobility dog, but I live alone would he/she be more hassle than help?

[@rissthebee]

I recommend one

[@msmicky1457]

You also need permission for churches, and indigenous reservations.

[@edwardfeeney1258]

Wow I have EDS and epilepsy