interested in gaining interest/support for use of service dogs w/ osteo.

below is a letter i sent to my doc about the use of service dogs for patients with osteoporosis. i see their usefulness both in assisting in emergent situations as well as proactive/preventative as they also require daily walks and we all know how important walking is for pt.s with osteoporosis!

hi dr. long,

as per our conversation the other morning: we discussed my need to have a service dog to support me in my osteoporosis treatment and general well being and safety.

because of the seriousness of osteoporosis and its progressive nature, i need a dog to do the following medically assisted tasks:

- fetch my phone to bring to me where ever i am, should i have a fall resulting in a fracture.
- if unconscious or unable to dial a phone: the dog could dial 911 for me
- assist with balance when, for example, walking in slippery conditions as i often have to do on the farm.
- carrying/pulling heavy objects which i'm not allowed to carry/pull (my weight lifting limit is 10lbs). i can have a harness that has a saddle bag and can attach to a cart for carrying loads that exceed my 10lb limit.

the following are some reasons, which i can list, that a service dog could make a huge difference in my quality of life and personal safety:

- i live on a farm that is far from any other homes, if i'm injured outside i can't call out for help.
- cell phone reception is unreliable or non-existent where i live, so i need a landline phone brought to me or for the dog to get the land line phone and dial 911 near/in the home.
- i live alone and can go days with out someone stopping by or checking on me. a service dog is next to me 24/7 (in the shower, on the stairs, reaching for objects while on a stool, etc)
- my only source of heat in the winter is a wood stove, requiring wood be carried in several times a day, and a dog can carry my wood inside for me.
- i do some 'heavier" farm work and a dog could pull a cart hauling yard supplies and even their 50# bag of dog food into the house.
- i already have fractures at my T-7 and T-8 so this kind of work would greatly help save my back and prevent further fractures from the lifting/hauling i need to do.
- i fear for my safety if i fall and have a fracture or break my hip and having a service dog would bring a great sense of peace and well being. i'd know that if something happened i could rely on the dog to bring me the phone or call 911.

i am not looking to insurance to pay for this. with the assistance of a professional trainer, i will be training a dog that i already have in my possession.

although the dogs primary function is around my home and farm, i need a prescription for a service dog in order to be able to take her to public places where i would need to have her with me...and it is essential that she can move around in public to continue to learn and grow as a service dog.

i see having a dog as serving both for my personal safety but also as a proactive, preventative measure to slow certain progressions of osteoporosis caused by heavy work. a service dog also requires daily exercise and this provides demands/incentives to get out and take the long walks that help with building and strengthening bones.

thank you for your time and consideration,
please call me if you have any other questions...i welcome your input.
suzanne