SharonK - what is said here in this group, stays in this group!
I respect privacy - especially to my Chi group!
Gloria C
"My shield is God Most High"
Psalm 7:10
To: [email protected]: [email protected]: Thu, 8 Jan
2009 21:01:38 -0600Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] service animals
Actually, it has turned out to be a good thing that I was questioned. I admit
I got very defensive. But I do NOT want to tell strangers everything I told
all of you about why Katie is my service dog. What do I say to strangers when
they ask, Marsha?
----- Original Message -----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:53 PM
Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] service animals
then you are correct...she has every right to be called a service dog andto
accompany you. Honestly...none of us were trying to say she wasn't orthat you
were faking or anything....but it did make us wonder when youwouldn't answer.
You do not have to tell people what you have told usnow....I think it is good
that you did and I think facing the problem willhelp you go a long way in
recovery.....but if you had just said yes, Ihave a disability she assist me
with...then we would not have wondered.So, I will appologise to you for my part
in making you uncomfrtablehere....but now that you have seen the help that she
can give you...youcan understand why we are a bit defensive about those who do
fake it......Marsha> I need to make several points. First, I have been disabled
since 1978.> My disability is not physical. Mine is the result of growing up in
a> nightmare of a home - a place that thought nothing of locking me inside> a
home-built coffin, a mother who set me up time and time again to be> sexually
abused, a father who blinded my sister by punching her, a> brutally sadistic
brother who (never mind - I'm not getting into that> here). So my disability is
mental/emotional. This disability sometimes> makes life VERY difficult. So
difficult that I tried to kill myself on> June 2, 2007.>> At this point in my
life, I have been homebound (agoraphobia) for almost> 11 years. Since I got
Katie, I have actually taken her for> walks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a MAJOR
accomplishment for me!!> Admittedly, these have been rather short walks - about
a block out. But> the fact that I have left my apartment at all is a very good
sign of> just how much Katie is helping me. As you all know, I need surgery.
In> an effort to take a step toward getting the surgery and help with my> other
problems, I contacted a therapist. When she heard how much Katie> has already
helped me, she suggested I make Katie my service dog. I> told her I had no idea
how to do it. She sent me a link with this> statement posted on the home
page:>> "IMPORTANT: It is illegal to label your dog as a Service Dog if you
are> not disabled. The ADA defines a Service Animal as any guide dog, signal>
dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an>
individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are>
considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have> been
licensed or certified by a state or local government.">> Katie meets the
requirements of the ADA - she assists me in being able> to leave my home.
Therefore, she is my Service Dog even though she has> not been licensed or
certified by any state or local government. Katie> is the only 'thing' that has
gotten me to leave my apartment in almost> 11 years. With her help, I will get
to a therapist and I will get to a> doctor and then the hospital for the
surgery. Eventually I will get to> the point where I will no longer need Katie
by my side just to leave my> apartment. But in the meantime, she will be with
me every time I go> out. She gives me courage and strength.>> I did not make
her my Service Dog just so I can take her her everywhere> and show her off.
Without her, I would not be going> anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!! I made her my Service
Dog to save my> life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!>> Sharon & Katie>> ----- Original
Message -----> From: Cim's Curio Corner> To: [email protected]> Sent:
Thursday, January 08, 2009 8:06 PM> Subject: Re: [Chihuahuas] service animals>
We also have to remember that just because a person looks normal doesn't> mean
they are. Service dogs are now used for people with diabetes to> alert when
there sugar is getting low, people with seizures to alert> when they might have
an episode, there are many other reasons, people> with curtain heart problems,
people with asthma both to alert with> things are going bad before the person
realizes because it maybe to late> at that time.This email contains
correspondence from an attorney and may containprivileged information. If you
are not the intended receipient, pleasedelete.Do not tell god how big your
storm is. Tell the storm how big your God is.http://taylorstots.tripod.com/
