16/11/2022
EDIT: The store has been made aware and have agreed to speak to employees about what to do in these situations ๐ฅฐ.
As most of you know, this is Fizzgig, my service dog.
We had an incident the other day at the grocery store that I'd like to share for educational purposes.
I've been sick with bronchitis and pneumonia for a few weeks now (on the mend now, all is well), and the doctors prescribed me some steroids. I dropped Elli off with a friend and went to get my prescriptions and some groceries. I took the steroid and went to the store to get what I needed. I experienced what is called "corticosteroid psychosis" which occurs in a small percentage of people treated with steroids. I reached the self checkout and I was confused, I kept trying to talk but nothing made sense, my body was shaking and my heart was racing. In that moment, I couldn't tell you who I was, what I was doing, I couldn't figure out what I was looking at. Fizz did his job. Fizz went to the cashier at self checkout and alerted her. All I could hear was "He's just staring at me." over and over. I needed help, Fizz knew that, I tried to voice that but the words that came out of my mouth did not make sense. I somehow made it back to my car and had enough sense to wait there until I felt safe to drive.
When a service dog comes up to you without the owner, even if they are attached to their owner on a leash, THEY ARE COMING TO YOU FOR HELP. If you are approached by a service dog, FOLLOW THEM. I needed help that day and I didn't get it because people don't know what to do or what to look for.
https://www.facebook.com/100055059620969/posts/406078411237476/