Ask Anything Monday!

What a great topic ! I am waiting for a puppy to train as an assistance dog. I found MindDog very helpful with information too ... http://minddog.org.au/

You may find certain breeds of dog preferable to others. ie Labradoodle is one.

Some dog trainers also have a certificate in assistance dog training (Approved Guide Hearing and Assistance Dog Trainer).

You may also enquire with your local vet about therapy training with animals as he/she may already know a trainer and had other clients needing a similar service.

There may also be Council requirements (registration fees).

It's been well known for years about Labradors being trained for the vision impaired, but therapy assistance with dogs is now more common for mental illnesses (PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Depression and so).

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-22/companion-dogs-provide-new-hope-for-ptsd-patients/6490252

Assistance dogs may be needed from a breeder to ensure they are healthy and suited to you, so cost can be a factor. Although I think rescue dogs can be good (my girl is a rescue dog, so is my cat - as were previous pets). But I am looking at a breeder for a therapy dog because of the aspect of training and the wide range of mental illnesses I suffer. I think with some organsation and support, you adapt to more pets. It's about something to help you cope and function daily, so think about the long term goal of therapy with a dog - yes there is some start up and training, but that is why you seek support from your vet and dog trainer - once it's all done then it would become easier.

Good luck. There is information on the web, so some research is handy. It helped me.

JJ.

The whole dynamic about having a pet is about unconditional love and also the responsibility in keeping an animal and the reward that flows from that. Usually pet organisations such as pets for therapy do not supply a pet.

My strong advice is to go to a rescue centre ( I work at one) and take home a dog or cat who has been neglected or abandoned and give them a second chance.

I have schizoaffective disorder and am suffering from pancreatic cancer, and the only thing that brings me joy is my three cats.

Can I please point out that if you have any doubts whatsoever about the responsibility of owning a dog or cat you should NOT get one. It is a big commitment that you have to resolute about, an it is a commitment they will last many years. Puppies particularly are a lot of work.

I deal with many animals at the centre where people have taken on the responsibility only to find it difficult for them to cope.

Hi everyone,

Happy Monday!

A big thanks to @Former-Member @kenny66 & @JackJane for your responses last week. Here is this week's anonymous Ask Anything Monday:

Lately I've been feeling like thinking is a burden I have to deal with every waking moment of my life and at times I feel like I can't handle being conscious. I want to be asleep so I don't have to think all the time. Feeling stuck in my head and I'm sick of it. I'm seriously considering seeing a mental health professional very soon because I just can't take it!

That's how much I feel like I can't handle it anymore. Any insights and advice on how to stop thinking, would be great...

Because I feel I have benefited over many years from the assistance of mental health professionals, I would suggest that seeing someone about what is troubling you may be worthwhile. Usually this starts with a visit to the GP (ie. a regular doctor). I would try to schedule a 'long appointment' with the GP so that I could properly talk with them first of all about the problems I am having. They may then be able to refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist for further help.

Aside from health professionals, one thing you may find useful is meditation, which aims to quieten the mind. A simple meditation that can be done at any time is to just focus the mind on the breath, the simple in and out of the breathing. This helps bring the mind's focus back to the body, which can help slow very fast or troubling thoughts. Physical exercise is also a way to slow the mind.

Best wishes.

Happy Monday everyone!

A big thanks to @Mazarita and @PeppiPatty for your responses to last week's AAM.

Here is this week's question:

This will be my first Christmas without my father, who passed away earlier in the year. I don't know what to do about Christmas. My family are getting together for our usual Christmas lunch and dinner, but I feel like this will be too painful for me. He was the centre piece of our family, and I fear that without him there, I will just become sadder.

Should I start a new tradition doing something else for Christmas? I fear I will get to Christmas Day and regret not going... I don't know what would be worse....

How are you today

I'm sorry for the passing of your Father. It's so sad that your going through conflicting emotions but

Can I ask you to be strong and go.

I know very little about the grieving process and hope that someone else knows the stages but heard that often families can 'fall apart,' after a major death like your Father......for a couple of years.

What do you think that your father would like?

Are you strong enough to carry out what you feel would be his wishes??

DO you think that you could go and make it a bit of an activity .....to be a strong person to remember good times with your father???

I read in a magazine of everyone putting a compliment of another in a hat and then, drawing out the compliments before the meal ....Im wondering if you could get this happening with the family.......giving each other compliments while your going through this terrible time.

I really can't imagine what your going through., am so sorry............... but I do know that being positive is the only way through.

I think the previous comments are good.

I also think your idea of starting something new could be good too ... maybe you can find a way to celebrate with the family but also put your own personal stamp on what you want to do for it ... part of that may include some symbolic act for your father ... lighting candle, being with a photo .. or special positive memory ... but also change is part of life and can be good to be proactive. The other family members may or may not come on board with it or it could just be a private thing ...