Category Archives: Medical Alert

Alzheimer's Disease, Army, Diabetes, El Paso, Medical Alert, Military, PTSD, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Beto and Osito

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Another wonderful update from our trainer Michelle, in New Mexico, who is working with Beto, a Wounded Warrior who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and has diabetes, and his SDIT, Osito!

Michelle writes:

“I met with Beto and SDiT Osito. It was a good visit. However, Beto’s short term memory is quickly fading. He was not able to remember the things we talked about regarding commands. However, he was able to remember to check his blood sugar when Osito began kissing him and alerted to high sugar levels in excess of 250; scary!!! AWESOME JOB OSITO!!!!!!

We also worked on “leave it”, and by the end of the small session OSITO would not take it unless told he could have the treat!!!!!

Beto’s wife, Maribel, was out of town taking care of family, and was unable to help with the training these last 2 weeks. She reassured me these next two weeks she will help more.

We did get SDIT Osito to start wearing his vest, which came in the mail. Maribel will be doing some alterations so that it doesn’t hurt Osito when he wears his vest. The xs is still too large, and patches are being sewn on.

I still have high hopes for this team, they just need reminders. We will work with things like sticky notes, writing pads, etc. Beto loves his Osito SO very much!”

 

ADA Rights, Anxiety, Depression, Medical Alert, Military, Psychiatric, PTSD, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

CONGRATULATIONS to Jacqueline, a Vietnam Veteran

A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Jacqueline, a Vietnam Veteran in New Hampshire, who has been working with a trainer there and her caseworker, sending me videotapes consistently for almost a year of her now SD, beautiful Aussie “Seeley”, performing each command in the Public Access Test and demonstrating three additional tasks specific to her disabilities. Jacqueline has been absolutely diligent and consistent in her determination to bring Seeley up to perfect par as a Service Dog. She has never waivered in her determination to demand absolute perfection, even despite setbacks in her personal life. I am so proud of her and am SO inspired by all her extremely hard work!  Seeley officially passed two days ago! Jacqueline writes;

“Dear Laurie,

My experience following your personal instruction in training Seeley has been positively rewarding beyond words. You helped me through very challenging times with Seeley when I was almost ready to give up.

I don’t think people realize how much a person’s quality of life is affected with a well-trained Service Dog. Especially, a dog that has bonded and is specifically task trained to help get through both daylight and nighttime disability issues
.
I use the word “issue” reluctantly, because unfortunately making the choice of including a Service Dog as part of my treatment in managing my service connected (100%) disability of PTSD, MST, depression, OCD, etc… has been made an issue at VA facilities – which to this day, I find perplexing. Civilian medical facilities have welcomed Seeley and I as a SDiT team, whereas VA facilities do not allow SDiT teams. Period. And with your help, I have painstakingly raised and trained my own SD because I know that a well trained dog to address specific needs will improve my quality of life. Period.

Know that your dedication is appreciated every time Seeley responds to my specific needs at all hours of the day and night.
Thank you once again.
Sincerely,
Jacqueline”

DEAR JACQUELINE – THE ISSUES YOU HAVE FACED AT THE VA FACILITIES THERE IN NH ARE ALSO PERPLEXING TO ME. BUT YOU HAVE DONE IT!! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME AND I KNOW TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE ALSO STRUGGLING WITH ISSUES REGARDING THEIR SERVICE-RELATED DISABILITIES AND ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU AND SEELEY!!!

Diabetes, El Paso, Medical Alert, PTSD, Texas

SDiT Osito

I met with Beto today and his very amazing SDiT Beto.  Today we focused on getting his baby’s vest ordered with patches and a few training items from Petsmart.  We got training treats and leash (retractable) and worked on sit/down/stay while at petsmart.    Osito, is used to being off leash and just walking around with dad.  I reminded Beto, that he had to keep him on the leash and work on training him with the Clicker, and both positive and treats.  Beto is also going to work with his wife on treats for medicine reminders.  (thinking a little peanut butter on a spoon – Osito’s favorite).  Beto is also going to start to keep a log to see when Osito begins to lick him, which he will begin checking his sugar levels to find out if he is high or low glucos.  Great idea…..

Thank you Petsmart @ Sunland Park (El Paso) for making sure we didnt need any help and were able to find the training treats ok.  Especially after a female customer tried telling me that blue buffalo was killing dogs, I kindly told her, that I was a service dog trainer, hence my shirt, and as my dog ate blue buffalo (Grain free) that it was fine.  So I appologized to Beto for the interruption, as he was not concerned.

Diabetes, El Paso, Experience, Hearing, Medical Alert, PTSD, Texas, Veteran

Beto and SDiT Osito

From our trainer, Michelle, who is in New Mexico. She is working with Beto. Beto is a 62 year-old Vietnam veteran that was affected by Agent Orange. He has been given a 100% disability rating (90% service-connected) by the VA and has several different issues, including PTSD, Diabetes Mellitus 2, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Neuropathy, Tinnitus and hearing loss (wear hearing aids) and memory loss. Because of the memory loss, he forgets to inject and take his medications (currently 27 pills daily, 4 shots daily of insulin, 1 shot weekly of Methotrexate and one infusion monthly of Actemra.) He uses a cane or walker because of the RA and neuropathy. His psychologist, Dr. Rebecca Mitchell in the Mental Health Division of the VA Clinic in El Paso, TX referred Beto to Service Dog Express, and Michelle agreed to take this wonderful, loving, upbeat gentleman and his SDIT, Osito on as a client, traveling all the way from Elephante Butte, NM, to El Paso!! Now THAT’s a dedicated trainer!

Michelle writes:

“I met with Beto and SDiT Osito for the second time. Beto and Osito are doing wonderfully. This visit, Beto’s wife was more involved with the training since Beto has a little memory loss and is having a hard time remembering when certain trainings need to occur.

Beto’s wife will help to encourage SDiT Osito to jump into Beto’s lap for medicine reminders, twice per day. In addition, Beto will try to remember to check his blood sugar at the times SDiT Osito licks on him to find out where his blood sugar levels are. The only other training Osito needs outside of specifics, because Beto has trained Osito so well, is the learn down/sit and stay until recalled. That is ok, it will come!”

WELCOME, DEAR BETO AND OSITO! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY!!!! I WISHED YOU’D HAD A SERVICE DOG WHEN YOU FIRST CAME BACK FROM VIETNAM. ALL THOSE YEARS OF SUFFERING…BUT NEW HOPE FOR YOU NOW!

ADA Rights, Denied Service, Medical Alert, Panic Attack, PTSD, San Antonio, Texas

Discrimination from the DMV, San Antonio

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Ah…more discrimination from the DMV, San Antonio:

Babcock Driver License Office of San Antonio, Texas
1258 Babcock Road
San Antonio, TX 78201

To whom it may concern:

I have tried many times to contact you by phone, but I always get a busy signal. I am a Service Dog trainer, and my client is due to take her driver’s test on the 11th. My client has a Service Dog, Sea-Jay, who must be present with her at all times due to her medical condition – Sea-Jay is a medical alert dog. Sea-Jay is also a fully-trained Service Dog who is completely laid-back and absolutely friendly.  My client was told that none of the female evaluators would be willing to go with her for her driver’s test because of the dog in the back – and that she would have to go with a man. My client cannot be around men she does not know – it is part of her disability. For you to deny her access to a female evaluator based upon the presence of a Service Dog is considered harassment of a Service Dog and harassment of a Service Dog handler, a misdemeanor in the state of Texas.

If you do not allow my client to take her driver’s test with a female, I will be reporting you to the police for this misdemeanor.

You may call me at any time at the phone number below.

Laurie A. Gawelko, M.S.
210-201-3641

Bipolar, Houston, Hypoglycemia, Medical Alert, Texas

Caden and Cole

SO, SO PROUD of Caden and Cole, with now Service Dog, Axel!!!!! On my trip to Houston, I had the AMAZING pleasure of meeting the entire family. Mom, Kendra, is brilliant and SO good at multitasking – I was literally watching her in awe! 8 year-old Cole has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, so Axel has been training with him and his mother to help stabilize his moods. As a happy “by-product”, Axel has also alerted naturally to younger son Caden’s hypoglycemia! We did the Public Access Test, and I was literally blown away by how incredible a trainer mom Kendra is. Axel performed every single command to perfection – and Kendra is so smart and intuitive that she can give commands to Axel verbally or using hand signals so quickly and efficiently while walking with Cole that I literally asked her if she had considered becoming a dog trainer. She has a lot on her plate, but again, Axel and Cole, with the constant supervision of Kendra, performed everything perfectly. Axel calms Cole when he is upset, applying deep pressure, alerts when Cole is having “episodes”, alerts to Caden’s hypoglycemia, and always has his eye out for where Cole is to ensure his safety. It was a fascinating experience and I am SO very proud of this family and their new Service Dog, Axel!!!!!

Cerebral Palsy, Medical Alert, Psychiatric

A Better Training Day

From trainer Letty, who is working very hard with dear Brayton, who has multiple disabilities including Cerebral Palsy, and his SD, Midas. The last session was difficult, but this one went very well! Letty writes:

” We had a great training with Brayton and SD Midas today! We spent half our time at Kohl’s, and then spent a little time at Wendy’s. At Kohl’s, we worked on gait and controlled heeling. Brayton was able to walk between two SDs (my SD, Bentley) while maintaining control over his SD Midas with out stumbling or tripping! While walking slowly, Brayton does a wonderful job!

At Wendy’s, while SD Midas was under the table and Brayton was enjoying a Frosty, I was able to look at a flip book that Brayton’s amazing mom made. In it, she has pictures and an easy explanation of cues and reactions that Brayton uses for SD Midas. This flip folder was created to help Brayton’s teachers easily understand SD Midas and help with Brayton’s daily functioning.”

THIS IS WONDERFUL NEWS, BRAYTON AND MIDAS! GREAT TRAINING, LETTY, AND WHAT A WONDERFUL MOTHER BRAYTON HAS!

We are in “conversations” with Brayton’s school, Judson ISD, because, while they are excited to have the “first” SD at their school, they have also written that they feel they should not be expected to give queues to Brayton to help him with Midas. Not only does Brayton have CP, but he has limited vision and some learning disabilities. Of course, Service Dog Express feels that Judson ISD should be able to help Brayton with Midas, especially now that Brayton’s mother has written a detailed description of how to help facilitate this process in the special classes Brayton attends. So far, they have written that they feel they should not have to help with these queues. Well, that doesn’t sit well with Service Dog Express! So, we will be having a meeting on Tuesday with many of the staff at Judson ISD – I will most likely have to be on teleconference, and trainer Letty as well – but if they want the “honor” of having the first Service Dog to attend their school, they MUST be willing to assist Brayton with his queues for Midas. It’s their job. Please wish us luck!!! Brayton deserves this!!!!

Diabetes, Medical Alert, Military, New Mexico, Pain Management, Texas, Veteran, Wounded Warrior

Assessment for Osito and Handler Beto

Beto with OsitoA posting from our trainer Michelle, in New Mexico!

I would like to introduce you to Beto, with his SDiT, Osito.  Osito is a 5 yr-old Papillion/Pomeranian/Chihuahua cross.  Beto is a veteran of the Vietnam War, who is an extremely kind and gentle person.  He has a partner with Osito, who adores him beyond belief and thinks the world of Beto.  Osito decided to take a little nap and love on his dad.

Osito laying next to meWhen I first entered, Osito was a little nervous of the “new person in the house”, but soon warmed up to me.  He is so sweet and gentle, yet he the Alpha of the pack!  He is 1 of 6 dogs in the home, and seems to rule the roost!  Once he finally warmed up to me, Osito making sure the yard is ok for ushe allowed me to handle him, and assess his temperament.  He then laid on the floor next to me, very comfortable.  Upon visiting with Beto, and finding out how Osito will be assisting him, I had a tour of a very dog-friendly home with beautiful yard for them to roam, including a dog run from the back yard to the front fence.

Osito smiling in the Back yardBeto will have Osito trained for Diabetic alert purposes and medication reminders.  Upon assessing this team, I feel that the bond is very strong and breaking Osito of a few bad habits will be rather easy.  Getting him used to certain commands might be the trick. 🙂

Beto has a wonderful family and great support system.  Beto is very eager to get started, including training multiple times per week or as much as we feel Osito needs.

Anxiety, Epilepsy, General, Medical Alert, Panic Attack, Psychiatric, San Antonio, Seizure, Texas

Wonderful meeting for Kimberly and Viva!

An update from Cherry Jenkins and Kimberly!

Meeting a new dog that will be trained to be a Service Dog for anyone can be an exciting experience, and it was especially wonderful for Kimberly, who met for the first time her SDIT Viva.

VivaViva and Kimberly took to each other immediately. Kimberly suffers with seizures and anxiety, and needs a dog to help her cope with every day life as well have Viva trained to detect and alert if Kimberly will have or has a seizure.

For a dog to detect a seizure, the bonding with human and dog must be intense, so the first meeting to see if they will bond is crucial.  There were obviously no worries for Kimberly as Viva took to her instantly!

SD VivaViva looked at Kimberly directly in her eyes and smiled and was happy to lay down by her side while we chatted about the entire process and our journey together. Kimberly has the wonderful support of her family, who were there at the meeting and were equally thrilled at the instant connection that Viva and Kimberly had.

The family and I got along really well too, and I was honored when they asked me if I would be their trainer. Nothing would make me happier than to work with such a wonderful family.

Kimberly’s mom, Tonya, said that she could see that Viva was going to change Kimberly’s life. I agree, and I am so pleased that they have invited me along on their journey.

Viva was adopted from In Dog We Trust rescue San Antonio.