service dogs for chronic pain

After finding myself addicted to pain killers following a chronic illness, I went into recovery.
All I ever wanted was a dog but committed to waiting until I had more time under my belt.
My fiancé decided to surprise me on my birthday with a trip to the Salt Lake City animal shelter. He felt I was ready after a year of sobriety, I wasn’t so sure, however I went in.
We walked in looking for a 40 pound dog that didn’t shed. Instead we found a dog that didn’t bark like all the other dogs. He looked so sad in his kennel when he looked up at us.
He was underweight at 62 pounds and we could see his bones. Flies had eaten away the tips of his ears. He had a bad limp. He had kennel sores on all of his limbs and his belly. He had a botched neuter and it was severely infected which was causing him a substantial amount of pain.
They asked us if we wanted to take him out of the cage. I feared it would cause more pain but he seemed so eager to meet us and show us what he could do.
We brought him into a little area and he seemed to be managing his pain ok. I wanted to see if he was ok around other dogs, he simply ignored them. I asked him to “shake” then “sit” he did both immediately. I then asked him to get up on the the table. “Up-up” and before I could realize this might hurt him he was up there and had this look of contentment. I was impressed. He knew it too.
At this point it was 6:00 p.m. and they were closing the shelter for the weekend. I wasn’t even too sure if I was ready to take on the responsibility on having a dog. What if I relapse? What if I fail? What would happen to him?
Then they put him back in his kennel and he looked at me and he.. howled. I put my hand to his paw through the cage and knew then, he was mine. I left with a very heavy heart that night.
All weekend I was worried about him. Then Monday morning came. We were there before they even opened.
When they brought him out to us he looked so happy, wagging his tail and in my mind he had a smile on his face.
I brought him home and cared for him.
As my recovery continued to move forward I watched Bodie grow into a dog as I grew into a human. When he discovered what a toy was was about the time I discovered I could laugh, i mean a true, belly, sober laugh. When he found he trust, so did I. Where he found a loving home and family I found myself engaged to a wonderful man who has many amazing children. My family came back into my life completely.
That 40 pound dog turned into a happy 100 pound dog that sheds mountains of fur and I love him immensely.
Life is good today. I am still clean and sober and continue to grow.
Life, truly, does not get any better than this!

I signed up for a “living well with chronic pain” class at my hospital. I am not opposed to the mindfulness it reminds us to do. In other settings these techniques feel like self-care. But in a clinical setting they feel like a brush off. Like please tell me pain management won’t be limited to taking deep breaths if my tumor comes back. Anyone relate?

We got called a fake service dog team today. I'm still not sure why other than he wasn't vested he was paying attention to me and following any commands he wasn't sniffing excessively or anything naughty. And yet another SD team tried to get us kicked out of the store??? I didn't think I'd have to prove myself to other teams. Picture of the good boy for tax. #ServiceDog #ServiceDogsForChronicPain #PsychiatricServiceDogs

My service dog Max has a narrowing between 2 vertebrae in 2 spots. A new med and losing weight allows him to move better. For the 2nd time in a week, since I've had him in the last 2 years, he RAN, like picked up his heals and chased others doogos, playing! I even made a tiktok video, I was so happy!
Initially on gabapentin and rimadyl, he was sluggish and shaky. I was worried. I was living in a black out room with sound absorbing panels when he came into my life. Now, due to his early alerts, I get to spend time outside! I want him to experience the best freedom he gives me!
Look at that happy grin! What a Super Max!
#CentralSensitizationSyndrome #Aspergers #Asthma #ThyroidDisease #Migraine #PTSDSupportAndRecovery #Outdoors #ServiceDog

I don't think I can find the words to describe how grateful I am to Boris. He keeps me living. He is so full of love. I hope his beautiful face can bring a smile to someone who needs it. He has a lot of love to go around.
I think that if he was human, his motto would be "there are no strangers, only friends I haven't met yet".. he truly gives love to all he meets. He is amazing 🙏💕🐾

Well Pedro definitely looks comfy but I'm going to have to move him so I can stretch my tired aching legs out.
As this silly puppy is on MY side of the king size bed!!!!! cheek of it. 🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂
There is soooooo much room. Why is he looking so cute and teddy like there.

#Arthritis #Chronicpainwarrior #ObsessiveCompulsiveandRelatedDisorders #TherapyDogs #lovinglife #AnxietyTriggers #TrigeminalNeuralgia #PsoriaticArthritis #RareDisease #MentalHealthStigma #ServiceDogsForChronicPain #PanicDisorder #SuicidalThoughtsAndTendencies #HighlysensitivePerson

I am having 2 back surgeries in 3 weeks. The first is ALIF L3-L5. To have the Orthopedic surgeon replace 2 discs, a vascular surgeon is to access my spine through my abdomen to ensure the main artery and vein are not compromised. I am filling out the numerous and redundant patient forms. It dawned on me that there were NO QUESTIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH!! 🤷‍♀️

I am truthfully open with telling all my doctors about my mental health and the medication I take. Some of my medication and what I will receive while in the hospital and during recovery do not mix together well. I added my mental health diagnoses and the list of psych meds in the "other" medical history part on the form. I somehow had the foresight to schedule an appointment with my psychiatrist a week before my surgeries.

With all the commercials about letting your doctor talk to your doctor about mental health and how society needs to stop the mental health stigma, why is this not on the patient information forms? 🤫 🤷‍♀️

Has anyone else noticed this too?

My 2nd surgery, 2 days later, is to open up area around the nerve roots and fusion of L3-L5. My Orthopedic Spinal Surgeon knows all about my mental health and the questions are on their Patient Portal

My picture is Chester helping me shop for yarn for creative distraction crochet during recovery.

#ChronicPain #DDD #Depression #Anxiety #PsychiatricMedication #ChronicIllness #PanicAttack #ServiceDogsForChronicPain