Day Of Ash: First Office Day

So, Monday I started a new job, and told the agency I am working with the week before…

“I use a service dog.”

I got the standard, “Oh, that’s neat! I don’t see a problem.”

Ash and I got up at 4:30AM, and everyone got an early breakfast. Of course, he loved that.

Everyone goes outside while I get ready and Julie helps prepare things for me. We packed the car the night before.

Being a 2 hour drive, one way, we wanted to make sure if I had to stop for the night, I have everything Ash and I could need.

Ash comes in from his breakfast romp, and realizes I am dressed and ready to go. He starts his feedback whining, thinking I am leaving him.

Open the front door, and say, “Ash.” .. He bolts out and waits at the gate. Open the gate, and he runs out to pee on all the trees in the front, and then does his business with few commands. Normally we have to wait 15 minutes, he was ready in 5.

Got in the car, and started the drive.

Ash is an amazing car dog. He just slept almost the whole way. When I would slow down, I would pop the window so he can stick his head out, and then he would notice I am speeding back up. Which is when he would lay down.

We got to work, 30 minutes early. Ash and I sat in the lobby and waited. Ash on the floor next to the chair I am in, looking up every time my back jumped.

We then met my new manager, who Ash pretty much ignored as he should, and the day started.

Ash laid under my desk for the first few hours, we went out on break with no issues. Perfectly doing his job, and even stopping me at one point to make sure I had balance.

Got back up stairs and my lead says let’s go get the badge.

This place, has a mile of tunnels under it that leads to other buildings and stuff. I am not joking, it is a LITERAL mile.

Ash does really good, pulling me along, slowing down when he realizes I am moving too fast for myself. Doesn’t react to anyone who does the “Awwww” as we walk by.

We get to the office where I get my badge, 30 minutes later, and Ash pulls me over to a chair and drops. FORCING me to sit, because the leash is not long enough for him to drop while I am standing. .. Guess that was him telling me.

While watching the required safety video, they have a tornado and fire alarm example in it. Ash lifts his head, looks at me, looks at the guard, and you can just see the.. “Well, you are not reacting, so this must not be a real one.” .. Back to head down and he watches the rest of the video.

We start the long walk back, and my lead wants to show me the cafeteria, which is near the security office, making it too far from where I will be working, so not an option. Even with Ash, I can’t walk that far on a daily basis.

This is where Ash has an issue. He sees the escalator and puts the brakes on. He wants NOTHING to do with it.

Hrm.. Guess we better go to the mall and work on that. I thought we had that covered.

In his defense, it was one of the loudest escalators I have ever heard.

We get back to the ground level, have a small Ash break, and then get back to work.

Ash is under my desk, and I need to go across the walkway to talk to my co-workers. I decide to hobble over, it’s only 6 feet, and before I do I tell Ash to stay.

As I am talking, I hear Ash move, and he is now laying next to the desk, but in a way he can see me. .. ONLY reason I am thinking that means more training, is he was on a stay.

A couple hours later, drama.

Turns out, the agency didn’t realize I actually meant I would be bringing my service dog. That requires forms, and all this other stuff.

I am asked to gather my things, and go home.

2 hour drive home, Ash is a rock star.

We get home, and I am tired. Ash is all “Play?” .. No.. “Play!?” .. No, I want to lay down and go to sleep.. “PLAY!!!!” .. Play with FISH.. “Ok! FISH!! RAWR!!!”..

He was happy..

Two training points.

Oh, and all the paperwork for the job has been done. Ash is officially allowed to be at work with me now.

Tomorrow starts his second day.

AddOn:

Tasks Implemented that day:

A. Helping me stand up from a sitting position.
B. Helping me sit down with out “falling” into the seat.
C. Alerting to my back spasms so I can take meds before they get worse.
D. Alerting to me being overexerted by leading me to a chair.
E. Minor counter balance while walking.
F. Setting pace when pain levels increased by slowing.
G. Picking up dropped ink pen. (I forgot about that.)
H. Minor Alert to Fire Alarm and Tornado Alarm. (Full Alert is him pulling me to my feet.)
I. Carrying my medication so it is available at all times. (Including water.)
J. Blocked my knees in the elevator so when it started I could put some of the ‘jarring’ into him from the side.

I am sure more was in there, but I can’t remember everything. I did have my job to do after all.

Some of these, I did not train. He learned by watching FISH working with Julie. I will be utilizing them though, and working it into part of the routine.

-Z