This time I have chosen to write about psychiatric service dogs. Because what exactly is a psychiatric service dog?
Legally, guide dogs and service dogs are equal. Unfortunately, not many people know that, and many people don't understand how important their function is. A guide dog is easy to understand - the psychological aspect is much harder to understand.
I have chosen to train my dog Lucky as a service dog. Getting your own dog trained as a service dog is not something you just do. First it has to be approved, then it has to go through an intensive training course and finally hopefully pass a test. After that, the dog can go pretty much everywhere, even places dogs are not normally allowed to go.
In terms of training, I have reached store training, where he is allowed to come to selected training stores with his blanket and a sign that says "in training".
The first time I took him to Fakta was really borderline, because what would people say? But luckily most of them were just so nice, and for the first time I can now shop without heart palpitations and anxiety. But most importantly, without being dependent on having another person with me.
I am so grateful that the opportunity to make Lucky a service dog is here. His mind, his temperament, his willingness to train, all fit perfectly as my future helper.
And what is the task when you are a psychiatric service dog?
That's a question that many people still ask. The diagnoses are not the same for those who have a service dog, so the tasks may be a little different.
For Lucky, the most important task is to create security for me in a world that can often be incredibly confusing, especially when someone like me has Asperger's syndrome and selective mutism.
With him by my side, something happens to me. I gain courage that I wouldn't have otherwise if he weren't there. Courage to talk, courage to ask for help, courage to be in a world that is sometimes incredibly scary.
Although Lucky is still in training, I am sure he will be a fantastic service dog. It is as if something happens as soon as the blue blanket is put on and we enter the stores. Then he stays close to me and does not sniff the goods, but follows me safely around the store.
When the tire comes off, he's the cheekiest owl, full of fun and laughter,
loves agility, teases Balto and is exactly as naughty as my Lucky should be.
My hope is that over time it will become much more widespread how important a function psychiatric service dogs have for people who are having a hard time.
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger
My name is Mette, I am the happy owner of 2 beautiful dogs.
Balto, who is a 6-year-old Coton de Tulear, and Lucky, who is a Shetland Sheepdog, who is just under 2 years old.
I am super active with my dogs, spending many hours training and on the competition tracks.
As a child, I had very bad selective mutism, but thanks to the dogs, I have moved on with life and my fear of speaking.
My future service dog
This time I have chosen to write about psychiatric service dogs. Because what exactly is a psychiatric service dog?
Legally, guide dogs and service dogs are equal. Unfortunately, not many people know that, and many people don't understand how important their function is. A guide dog is easy to understand - the psychological aspect is much harder to understand.
I have chosen to train my dog Lucky as a service dog. Getting your own dog trained as a service dog is not something you just do. First it has to be approved, then it has to go through an intensive training course and finally hopefully pass a test. After that, the dog can go pretty much everywhere, even places dogs are not normally allowed to go.
In terms of training, I have reached store training, where he is allowed to come to selected training stores with his blanket and a sign that says "in training".
The first time I took him to Fakta was really borderline, because what would people say? But luckily most of them were just so nice, and for the first time I can now shop without heart palpitations and anxiety. But most importantly, without being dependent on having another person with me.
I am so grateful that the opportunity to make Lucky a service dog is here. His mind, his temperament, his willingness to train, all fit perfectly as my future helper.
And what is the task when you are a psychiatric service dog?
That's a question that many people still ask. The diagnoses are not the same for those who have a service dog, so the tasks may be a little different.
For Lucky, the most important task is to create security for me in a world that can often be incredibly confusing, especially when someone like me has Asperger's syndrome and selective mutism.
With him by my side, something happens to me. I gain courage that I wouldn't have otherwise if he weren't there. Courage to talk, courage to ask for help, courage to be in a world that is sometimes incredibly scary.
Although Lucky is still in training, I am sure he will be a fantastic service dog. It is as if something happens as soon as the blue blanket is put on and we enter the stores. Then he stays close to me and does not sniff the goods, but follows me safely around the store.
When the tire comes off, he's the cheekiest owl, full of fun and laughter,
loves agility, teases Balto and is exactly as naughty as my Lucky should be.
My hope is that over time it will become much more widespread how important a function psychiatric service dogs have for people who are having a hard time.
Behind the scenes of this week's blogger
My name is Mette, I am the happy owner of 2 beautiful dogs.
Balto, who is a 6-year-old Coton de Tulear, and Lucky, who is a Shetland Sheepdog, who is just under 2 years old.
I am super active with my dogs, spending many hours training and on the competition tracks.
As a child, I had very bad selective mutism, but thanks to the dogs, I have moved on with life and my fear of speaking.