As most of you probably know I’m a service dog handler. My standard poodle Julia is 5 years old and is trained to alert and respond to my POTS episodes, she’s also trained in psychiatric tasks. She can alert me before I pass out, allow me to sit down or lay down before I collapse. For psychiatric tasks she knows hallucination discernment, stimming interruption, deep pressure therapy for grounding or even for blood circulation in my legs. She truly keeps me alive and thriving.
Lately I thought my POTS was getting better so I started leaving my dog at home when I went out. Recently I collapsed at the zoo. I’m beginning to think I do still need her as my service dog. If I get a new job where I have to go into the office I will seek accommodation to have her come with me. We shall see.
Enjoy this picture of her continuing to alert to me during a POTS episode. She alerted me so I laid down and she kept me there. Eventually she got in bed with me and did deep pressure therapy
