It is amazing how traveling with a service dog can provide so much assistance for you. Before the passing of my service dog, Maggie, I learned she was able to relieve me of the burdens that traveling adds to a medically compromised person. So, let me share what I mean by this!

Useful Vest

A service dog usually wears a vest with zippered pockets on both sides. I liked using this, not only to identify that she was a working, skilled girl, but also for my convenience, with limited ability to hold any weight with my arms. I was able to put my medications, earplugs for flying, credentials needed to identify me, money, and even my tickets in those pockets, to have easy access to them. For fear of possibly losing access to her food if put into a carry-on or checked-in suitcase, I filled her measured food meals into those pockets, too. I was also able to include a traveling bowl that folds up, into the pockets, so that I could always, easily take a moment to give her a drink.

WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND: Maggie was always by the author's side. "Since Maggie passed, I can't tell you how many people still continue to ask where she is, for she made an impression on others in such a positive way."

Using Her Mouth

I had times of having to travel in a wheelchair, which can truly limit flexibility and movement. So, my service dog was able to carry my tickets in her mouth and even hand them to the correct person, all on command. She was able to carry a plastic bottle of water, also. In hotels (like at home), she was able to assist in opening the refrigerator or cupboard that had a rope on them. She was commanded to tug the rope to open the door, and able to then close it with her paws, or by nudging her nose against the door. While in a refrigerator, my service dog was trained to find my medicine bag or container of water, and then hand it to me. After, she was commanded to close the door.

Using Paws and Nose

A service dog has the capacity, upon command, to provide assistance by using their nose or paw to open a door by pushing 

the handicap button. I even was able to have her trained to nudge the nightly air mattress that I used, which had to be inflated each evening. In the AM, she was able to turn it back off, preventing me from having to bend or get out of bed, especially since my leg braces were off, as I take them off when I sleep.

Comfort and Calming

Living life as a handicapped person certainly creates stress, and at times while traveling. An example is, when you are expected to climb up the stairs to get into a plane when you aren’t able to. So, the whole group of passengers has to wait while they bring the portable ramp to the airplane, so you can be 

pushed up. This feels embarrassing to me, so having had her to reach out to comfort me, was magical. I always found that just rubbing my fingers between the tip of her ears calmed me down. And then, having her at my feet on a plane or train continues to provide a calming effect. Service dogs are allowed with you which is a true gift of comfort, whether on a train, plane, boat, or in a car, etc.

Peace Of Mind

A caregiver will also report, as my husband constantly expressed, that a service dog allows some peace of mind for them. Leaving a medically needy person you care for with the service dog, gives an opportunity for a caregiver to step away. The dogs can be trained to even search for the phone, when needed. They provide company and the much-needed help they are trained for.