more about service dogs for osteoporosis

it just occurred to me this morning...one of the most important considerations re having a service dog, is that, when i return to graduate school, i need a dog that can carry my books. i have fractures at the T-7, T-8 from carrying heavy loads. with osteoporosis, the fractures will continue to spread to the vertebrae above and below once that has begun. that is how osteoporotics develop that characteristic "dowager's hump". one way to slow the progression of that is to avoid lifting over 10lbs and avoid carrying things such as book bags...

so in addition to other things i mentioned...having a dog that can carry some of what is normally in my 15-20 bag would slow the progression of that disintegration. at 46, i'm too young to have this happening as it is...so my prognosis is not good unless i get help. if she could carry some of my wood, pull carts, help with groceries, then she would be a life saver...literally. that "dowager's hump" impairs breathing and other bodily functions as it progresses....it is not merely an unattractive attribute...it can become life threatening at a certain point. for me, with a lot of physical therapy you can't notice the deformity...but it is there...painful and an constant issue already.

so my list of "arguments" for having a service dog grow. i would like to put this issue to the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF). people with emergent, life threatening conditions aren't the only people who should be and are eligible to have a service dog. if people with vision impairments and vets with PTSD are allowed to have service dogs, then why not persons living with severe osteoporosis?

i will probably continue to find more "arguments" as i review certain issues. but anyone who's quality of life can be protected, where the potential for fatal injury is ever present...whether it is emergent or chronic, should be given the opportunity to have this option available to them.