05/08/2025
๐Itโs International Assistance Dog Week!๐
I couldnโt let it pass by without sharing that it is our awareness week and itโs only right that I make an appreciation post for my gorgeous Pinta and the wonderful trainers of Paws For Support (PFS), past and present who have guided us along on this incredible journey!๐โ๐ฆบ๐ถ
Apologies if this is not a perfect post, but as usual, I am using dictate on my phone and it is hard for me to keep up with spelling, grammar and even sometimes dictate recognising my Guernsey accent! ๐๏ฟผ
I got Pinta 2 1/2 years ago with the intention that she would become an Assistance Dog. I was incredibly lucky to find a rescue dog in guernsey that was looking to be rehomed. I didnโt initially go to meet Pinta, I went to meet another dog but when I heard Pinta barking outside as I was leaving my intuition told me that she was my dog and I asked to meet her. It was fate! ๐๐ถ
Pinta is such a thinker as far as Dogs go. Sheโs not the fastest to react, but she has a thoughtful intelligence, when I ask her to do something, she always pauses first and she thinks about how she will approach it. She wants to get it right and this reflects in her learning. Since I got her, she has learned toโฆ
Alert me to oncoming migraine attacks which really might not sound too crucial, but for me migraine attacks always lead to terrible vertigo so she gives me time to find a place of safety.
Pick up items that I have dropped like my walking sticks, my keys, my phone, my bag and anything else that I might drop when weโre out.
Bring me named items such as my medication, my inhaler, my keys, her settle blanket and my earmuffs.
Bring me items that are out of reach from the low shelves in the supermarket.
Perform deep pressure therapy when Iโm having a vertigo attack .
Turn the fan on and off.
Provide counterbalance when walking.
She also has a gazillion different commands that she responds to that arenโt specific tasks such as standing between my legs when we are in queues. Circling me to create space around me when it is busy. Laying behind me to prevent people from getting too close. Circling my mobility scooter, switching from side to side which are both so handy when Iโm doing a little shopping in the supermarket.
Iโm constantly thinking of new things to teach Pinta. She really does love to learn !
Iโve been on a rollercoaster over the 2 1/2 years that I have had Pinta. Initially getting her to help me to manage what I was told were very aggressive vestibular migraines. Eventually, I found out that I have SCDS. A very rare disease that is evident on a CT scan, but only if the scan is requested. Since then I have new vestibular doctors who have also diagnosed FND/ PPPD. I have a treatment plan and all of my healthcare professionals are fully in support of Pinta. She was actually appreciated in a doctorโs report recently! I felt amazing๏ฟผ knowing that my need for Pintaโs Support was being validated ๐๐ฅฐ๐โ๐ฆบ
Pinta has got me through some of the hardest times of my life. Whilst sheโs with me I always have something to try for & Iโm never alone.๏ฟผ
Someone would say that it was Pinta that was rescued, but I say that it was her who rescued me!
She is my courage, she is my brave, she is my strength.
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