Post by sibemom on Nov 19, 2006 8:35:21 GMT -5
Brody has been doing SO GREAT We have been working each and everyday on the tasks I need him to do for me. His most important one though is just being the ambassador of freindlyness We are working on picking up objects that I drop still a ways to go with that one He picks them up alright but still has that BC mentality of not exactly bringing them right to you, HE STILL LIKES TO THROW THEM AT ME His alerting to my panic attacks and mini seizures is a great thing though. I did not have to teach him that at all. In fact all the dogs are very intune with those issues. The brace is proofed though. He stiffens his little body and assists me in getting up, not that I fall all the time but sometimes I do need him to brace when going up steps etc... He can also feel when I get wobbly and braces at my side to steady me. He is not the biggest dog and I suppose a larger dog would be better for this but he is pretty sturdy and very attentive. The Teamwork Video series is such a help in getting the tasks taught and proofed. Our next project is teaching him to alert for help. That is easy for him because he already knows how to TALK so now we just have to redirect it to TALKING at the appropriate times The harness that I had bought for Willow is pretty universal and with a few minor adjustments works really well for him. There is still that EGO THING THOUGH, where I am a little emabrrased at having to use him but if it keeps me out and about with greater security and ease then I will just have to suck it up 8-)All I can say though is that no amount of medication can do for me what this dog can, he makes me feel SAFE out in public and has reduced my panic attacks considerably. He also keeps me in the NOW and gives me reality checks which avoid the FEAR EPISODES. We will keep working on more tasks as I find what I need from him and in no time at all hopefully by later winter he will get certified as a SD. If nothing else it has proven to me that at least I have made something positive out of this crappy situation.