I am a Service Dog by profession. That means that I help with tasks around the house and out in public that my partner, John, has trouble with. John has a disability that causes him to have trouble with his muscles (Muscular Dystrophy). He rides in a scooter because of the disability. My job is to make his life easier by helping him.
Me at a carnival this past summer!
As a Service Dog, I am allowed to go anywhere that John goes. I am
trained to help mitigate his disability, thus I am allowed anywhere the
public is allowed. I have been to all sorts of interesting
places...including the National Zoo in Washington D.C., the Baltimore
Aquarium, and the Children's Museum in Indianapolis. I have ridden
school buses, the D.C. Metro subway, and elevators everywhere. I have
been to movie theaters, restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals and
more. When I go out, I always wear my special Service Dog Vest. My vest is embroidered with the words "Please Ask Before Petting" and "Service Dog". I am always well-behaved and housebroken wherever I go. I want to
keep my job!
Riding on the Metro!
One of the things that is hard for John to do is to pick up objects off the floor, or that are out of reach. For instance...if he drops something at home, and it goes under the couch, it's nearly impossible for John to pick it up for himself. That's where I come in! I can easily dive under the couch and retrieve that dropped object, and deliver it to John's waiting hands. It's a big game to me...and if John doesn't drop stuff by accident, he'll sometimes drop it on purpose to let me have some fun. I can pick up tiny items like dimes and safety pins, and I can bring heavier items to John like hardback books and can drag heavy things like full laundry baskets. I also help bring stuff back and forth from mom to John...like notes, phones and anything else John might need in the house.
Picking up John's credit card
John also has trouble with getting clothes on and off...so my job is to help by tugging on the clothes, like his shirt sleeves or pant legs. Then I can retrieve the clothes for him, so he can toss them in the laundry. I also help a lot in the winter getting his coat on and off. It's hard to sit and get a coat on and off...so I help by tugging his sleeves. I love this job too...and sometimes I get carried away and "roo-roo" too much. He has to shush me...but I know he doesn't really mind.
I also am being trained to do other tasks that John doesn't need yet...but might someday soon. I can hit door and elevator buttons, and I can hand stuff to cashiers at tall counters. I love learning new skills, and I love to help John!
The first rule of Service Dogs...catch a nap when you can!
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