I was curious when you mentioned this too. We got a kitten shortly after Caleb's dx who has been wonderful for him and have two dogs already, but what will the dog do for her? Is it just a companion or?

Hi calebsmom, the dog will help her to balance when she is unsteady, help her walk up and down stairs, cross the road, wake her for her meds, open and close doors, fridge, cupboards and drawers for her, switch lights on and off, call someone when she needs help either by barking or by going to the person, help her up when she falls or is too weak to get up by herself. The dog will also lie against her to 'ground' her when she is in pain or feeling anxious, and also be a companion when she is feeling down or lonely - important as all of the friends she thought she had disappeared when she spent last year in bed through the pain and exhaustion.

Thanks for the details - I was curious too. My brother, who is deaf, had a dog that was trained to bark when someone knocked at the door and alert him to other things he could not hear. It was a great help.

His dog was also great emotional support after his family abandoned him when he came out.

Hope the dog arrives soon!

Thanks for the clarification. I don't think Caleb would qualify for one (yet), but it's interesting to know that could be an option.

All I can offer is this website: www.dogsforthedisabled.org

There's all sorts of interesting areas in it that can be explored and may be helpful in the run up to her dog's arrival. It's fascinating and very heartwarming that so many people with so many different disabilities have been helped by these wonderful dogs.

My dog isn't a service dog but it's funny that she knows when my pain is high because she refuses to leave my side, she won't even eat. And when we go to bed, she always sleeps at the very bottom of the bed unless I'm in pain; then she comes up to top of bed and lies down against me. I can't tell how much her love and attention helps me during those times. Plus, when she's acting like that, hubby knows I'm not doing well and he gives me lots of extra TLC. I've never had one of my bad panic attacks around her so I don't know if she would sense it. I think you daughter would gain so much if she can get a service dog. Good luck and I hope she gets one soon.

Joysis, our scottie that we have at the moment does a similar thing. When she knows that my daughter is not feeling good, she will go and lie on the bed and be there for her. Her cat sometimes does too. When my daughter was away for a couple of days and started to crash while away, the scottie started lying on her bed even though she wasn't here. It makes one realise how special our pets are and what a bond they have with us.