Daisy the Service Doggo

23/03/2024

12/03/2024

Daisy is always ready to help. Her mom has lots of doctor visits! She's well known and loved by all the doctors and nurses! They sure are super heroes too!

20/02/2024

❤️

20/02/2024

Early morning doctor visits and fun training time today ❤️.

13/02/2024

Some photos of my girl being awesome.

08/10/2023

On the worst days of my life, you are there and suddenly I know it will be alright 💔.

08/10/2023

A Service dog is not a pet that a person drags into a store for fun. They're not a toy, they're not abused and they're not for entertainment.
A Service dog IS a partner, a best friend and a lifeline.
Life with a service dog:
The first time a person has a service dog it can feel like just another pet, albeit a very well trained one (whether they put in the work or a foundation did). The first trip, and even the second and third can be frightening. You step into the doors of a grocery store and literally all eyes will turn to you. You hold your breath, then remember to breathe. You try to manage getting a cart one handed, your other is occupied with a leash. You can still feel everyone staring at you. Some people approach you and ask questions, some even inconsiderate like "How can I bring my pet in a store like yours?" You tell them you don't know and rush away from them. You don't look up because you don't want to see all of the people staring at you. But you can still hear them saying things like "Aww look at the cute dog!" "Why is there a dog in here??" "She doesn't look sick..." "I bet she's blind!" Then there's the people who reach out trying to touch him when you know all this does is distract him. So you avoid aisles with people and pull him away from eager hands. You hope no one alerts a manager so that you're forced to spend several minutes answering questions to confirm you have a real service dog. All the attention makes you sweat because you just want to run a normal errand like a normal person. After all, this was supposed to be a quick shopping trip.
You look down at your dog to see he's not phased by all the attention. He's looking at you eagerly awaiting his next assignment. You try to rush through your shopping while answering questions about his breed, his purpose and your disability from curious bystanders. You duck the uncomfortable questions and rush through the rest.
By the time you reach your vehicle in the parking lot you are exhausted and wrought with nerves. Maybe having a service dog wasn't such a good idea, maybe you can do without him. Maybe this was all a mistake.
So you try, a few times, to run those errands without him. But they're harder than answering questions and dodging glances. They're more difficult when you try to pretend that you're normal. No, it's not easy stopping for his potty breaks, his water, his food, along with your own. But everything is harder managing without your partner. Sometimes even scarier, because our health is a scary thing sometimes.
Therefore, you try again. You suit him up, gather his supplies and walk out the door. You answer the questions, ignore the voices. meet the stares and verbally correct the hands that reach for him. You work together to build a bond, to read each other's every move and signal. You work together like a well oiled machine and you feel like you could read his thoughts. But sometimes the doubt for his need still lingers until...
The moment comes for all service dog handlers. some sooner and some later. But it will come. That moment when your health (mental or physical) takes a turn for the worst. That moment when all the training your dog has suddenly is visible and he reacts before you know whats happening. He's there, doing what no human could or would do for you. He's reacting with speed and knowledge as to his job in this situation. And for most of us (dare I say all of us?) that's the moment he literally saves our life. It's the moment where you realize you did need him, do need him. It's the moment where everything changes. Where you know he'll be there again and again to save your life, where you know it doesn't matter what others say or do, it's where you find that bond with your dog that so few in the world will ever know.
Services dogs are the very breath of their handlers, the very beat of their heart and their very soul. We work together to take care of each other in ways that others will never understand. Because their life has never been held in the pads of four paws. - Kelley Rose

02/10/2023

Hospital follow-up. Praying mom gets good news. Either way, I'm ready to help!

30/09/2023

Mom hasn't been doing well, so I took her shopping to cheer her up! Sadly, they didn't have any jeans in my doggie size, but mom got some and I got treats!

26/09/2023

Another day, another hospital visit. I'm so glad to have Miss Daisy May.

26/09/2023

It's been a rough week and it hasn't ended yet. Daisy is amazing throughout all my testing and visits. I'm grateful for her everyday. We got this 👍

20/09/2023

Heart Surgery Checkup! Mom is doing well!

19/09/2023

Daisy did an Old Time photoshoot with us! It was a blast! The photographer was impressed with her posing lol 😆

16/09/2023

Vacation was a blast! We went to the aquarium, pool, Dollywood and so much more in the Smokies! Daisy was a Rockstar as always! She even stared down a few sharks 😆.

18/07/2023

Happy National Ice Cream Day!

18/07/2023

Doctor Visits are normal for us! EKGs and all! She's a Rockstar at taking care of her mom!

09/07/2023

Dropped off some artwork for the Art Show with mom! It was a pretty building!

07/07/2023

ER Trip but Daisy is on the job. Luckily mom will be okay! Daisy got compliments all around and a stuffed animal for mom &I.

03/07/2023

The 4th of July can be a tough time for many veterans, but Daisy is always there to respond. Service animals are known to reduce symptoms for many mental health issues for the veteran population. Their tasking can include responding and calming their handler during a flashback, something many veterans expirence. Way to go Daisy!

01/12/2022

One wet bathroom and human later.... we have a clean Daisy the Service Doggo .

21/11/2022

02/05/2022

Out and about today! We went to Subway! Yummy!

27/04/2022

More Training today! We hit up Tractor Supply and Home Depot. We had some pretty distracting people today but she did great ignoring them.

04/04/2022

Her face is so serious 😆. Another successful training day at Tractor Supply. We practiced leash walking with the cart and distraction reinforcement. It was a good day.

21/03/2022

Tractor Supply Training Day! We worked on down stays, distractions and leash walking with and without the cart! Daisy did great!

17/01/2022

Daisy loves training with her BFF Quincy. They are a dream team! They also love to play together when training is done.

31/10/2021

Daisy's First Wedding! She did a great as part of the wedding party and was a rockstar will all her moves and left with so many compliments on her training. (She danced the cha- cha slide and to Footloose). She's a better dancer than me! Congratulations Dad & Steph!

05/10/2021

So true 😍

22/09/2021

I haven't been posting much due to ill health and limited mobility. Daisy May has been a Rockstar and we continue to solidify her training. She's the best buddy I could ask for! Also..... I love the chocolate monster cuddles!

03/09/2021

Service Dogs Save Lives