Burger 21: Friendly to Service Dogs

On Monday I met a friend in the Burger 21 on Linebaugh to discuss a class we would both be teaching.  I was a bit nervous about it.  

I have brought dogs before to Burger 21 and not had a problem, but this time they were really exceptionally pleasant.  We sat in the corner at the back away from everyone.  Eventually, the place filled up and people sat next to us (a mom and her two daughters), but at the beginning, we had the place mostly to ourselves.

The one guy at the counter brought over a bowl of ice water for Corky and I didn't have the heart to tell him that he can't drink in coat.  We just moved it out of the way.  Corky tried to tip it over almost immediately.  

Which led to us using tons of napkins to sop up the water on the floor.  Which Corky then tried to eat.  

Sigh.

All of the wait staff who helped us were friendly and helpful and very cognizant and sweet to Corky.  Even the customers were amazing.  I have never been to a restaurant where all of the moms knew to ask if Corky could be petted first.  

I was at the counter with Corky waiting with one mom who said, "I can't believe my daughter hasn't run over here yet.  She loves dogs." She glanced at their booth and sure enough a small little girl was sliding down and running toward us.  The mom almost yelled at her as she came up to Corky,

"Honey, you have to ask if you can pet him!"

She looked at me.

I shook my head.  "I'm sorry.  He's working.  He can't be petted right now."  

The mom took her daughter's hand.  "See honey, he's working.  He's doing a job."

Dang, these Burger 21 people were on it!

I got back to the booth and my friend and I worked some more.  Then the small family of three moved into the booth next to us.  The two girls sat along the wall and the mom was in the far chair. They made sure to slide in from the far side so as not to bother Corky.

Corky, lying against the booth, is in good position to whack his tail
against the small girl's feet as she is sitting in the booth next to us.

Corky looked up and saw the girls.  He wagged his tail.  It thumped against the older girls feet and ankles.  She smiled and bit into her hamburger.  She knew a good thing when she had it hitting her in the shin.

When we had finished lunch, I thanked the girls next to us for being so nice and letting Corky smack them with his tail.  I told them that he really needed to get his wagger under control.

I highly recommend a stop in Burger 21. Not only for the food, but for the service and the people.  They are uniformly nice and pleasant.  It was a great lunch.

Back at His Day Job: School Dog

I have been out of school for two weeks (my mom had open heart surgery (she came through it like a trooper and is doing great!)) and then I went straight to Baltimore for a library conference.  So it has been quite a hectic time for me.  Coach and Fred and Willow have been on their own with a very changed routine, which can be a little stressful.

But, last Monday, I was back and Coach started back to school.  He fell into his school routine quite well.  Monday I didn't have any research classes, but Tuesday we began the Health Cross Fire Debates!

Coach is in a down stay in front of students who are busy researching at the tables.

Our first couple of days, the students are doing research on the various topics they are assigned to debate.  On the third day, they will be watching a demo of the debate and will begin writing their speeches.

During free time, when Coach's coat is off, students can pet him and relieve some stress.

I think our students were glad to have him back as exams are approaching and he is a bit of a stress reliever for some kids.  After all, research has shown that that petting a dog (actually, just interaction with a dog!) will lower your cortisol levels and increase your endorphin levels.  So, goodbye stress and hello happiness (click on the link to read more!).  That's why school's like Emory, Harvard, Yale and our Berkeley Prep know the value of having a service dog on campus.

Coach gets comfortable at the all school congo.

I was really excited about Coach's stellar behavior at the all school convocation on Friday!  He slept through the concert band performance and several choral productions!  Woohoo!

Coach sleeps through the concert band performance.

Keep in mind how he acted at the ballet.  It wasn't good.  Now, we have a more mature Coach who can lie down and go to sleep and be comfortable through the whole performance.

Did we stay for the pipe and drum band's performance?  No.  I know he doesn't like the sound of the bagpipes and he wouldn't have been a good boy.  So, we left when they took the stage.  You have to know when to leave and make the event a success.

It was a good week for Southeastern Guide dog in training Coach!

Flying, Bathrooms and Service Dogs

We have had several experiences flying with our Southeastern Guide Dog puppies

• Bingo's experience (When Dogs Fly, When Dogs Fly Part 2, and The Return Flight)
• HRH Berkeley's experience (The Trip to Phoenix and  Sky Harbor Nightmare)
• Jam didn't go on a flight

and even thought the airline was the same, it really all came down to the personnel.  We always used US Airways and for the most part, they were great.  It was the return flight that was generally the problem (they weren't used to service dogs like Tampa people were).  However, we just recently had a raiser in South Pinellas group who had an incredibly bad experience with Southwest Airlines, that I just have to share: No Fly Zone!  

The TSA also has a general list of rights and guidelines of what their handlers can and will do when you and your service dog are going through the line.  It would be a good idea to make a copy of this webpage and have it in your purse/backpack if it seems the TSA agent is unsure how to pat down you or your dog.  It never hurts to be prepared.

I always have copies of shots and a note from the vet stating that the dog is good to travel.  This info is not required, but is nice to have on hand just in case. In addition, you can request an airline access letter from Southeastern (ask Katie Young) and that will detail you and your dog's credentials.  This letter must be requested at least 2-3 weeks in advance of your travel date in order to give them time to prepare and send it to you on letterhead.

Another thing I have found to be very helpful is knowing where the relief stations are.  It used to be that you could ask for a supervisor to escort you and your pup out onto the tarmac just before the fight and they would take you (they did this with Bingo, but not with Berkeley because of the Xmas underwear bomber.  They won't do that anymore in most cases.)  It was nice, because a lot of relief stations are back behind security!!  Now someone has come out with an app for finding those relief stations!  The app is called Where to Go.  It was created by Working Like Dogs and there is an app for the iphone and the android.

So, if you are making reservations and you are taking your pup, be sure to do the following:

1. Send in a request for an airline access letter to Katie Young at Southeastern Guide Dogs at least two to three weeks BEFORE you plan on traveling.  She will be able to get you a letter on official letterhead attesting to your status with Southeastern, your dogs credentials, etc.
2. Don't choose Southwest. 
3. Do choose United/Continental who officially supports Southeastern Guide dogs in training or US Airways (I've had good luck with them).
4. When making your reservations, tell them that you are bringing a service dog so that they can indicate that on your reservation from the very beginning.
5. Download the Where To Go app
6. Make sure you have all your documentation and also have duplicates in some other location as well.
7. Have a back up plan in case something doesn't go right at the airport.
8. Relax and enjoy your vacation.

Willow and Coach taking it easy on the back porch.