T minus 3 Weeks and Counting

Just under 3 weeks until I get to meet Haven for the first time. And go to dog camp! I'm so excited to meet my beautiful four-legged lady.

I ordered a hardcore first aid kit. Just incase of doggy emergencies. I've been cleaning my apartment fervently getting it ready for Haven.

Haven at Home

Haven has become my constant companion. My friend and my keeper. She lets me know when I'm getting loud. first a flick of an ear. then she's in my face. then she paws at me. usually the flick of the ear is enough.

her deep pressure therapy has done wonders for my sleep anxiety. her needs are the ones i take care of first. wake up, check water, put down breakfast for Haven [and hope that she eats it] then get on to my business. shower, swallow pills, pack bag, go to classes.

Haven comes with me everywhere. including the bathroom.

I've fallen in love with my safe Haven. she's the best thing i ever have done for my mental health and general well being.

Leashes and Collars and Wraps, Oh My!

i now have a collection of leashes and collars. all in black leather. two regular collars, a wide collar with a handle, 4 leashes, a perfect pace head collar and lead...
I also have on order 5 custom leash wraps from one of my favorite etsy stores. one says "IGNORE ME" One says "I DON'T PET YOU WHILE YOU'RE WORKING" another says "BACK OFF" one has pictures that stand for stop! no talk! no touch! no eye contact! and the last says "I'M OUT OF SPOONS"
I also got booties for her to protect her feet from the hot pavement in the summer and the snow and ice and chemical de-icer crap they throw all over campus in the winter.
Also, I've stocked up on dog food and treats. and a dog bed and toys and portable food/water bowls.

First Aid Kit

I am in the process of putting together a portable first aid kit specifically for Haven. One that I can fit in my backpack just incase something happens to her when we're out and about on campus or where ever. I bought a people first aid kit that came in a waterproof bag and have been adding and modifying it to make it dog friendly and more complete. I also plan on getting booties to protect her feet from snow, ice, and deicer in the winter and hot pavement in the summer. I have a whole tote bin full of stuff for Haven. Also My ADA cards came in a few days ago and they came out great.
Every day i get more and more excited about meeting my dog and bringing her home!

Haven Time Lapse Montage

Haven in time lapse

From tiny puppy to full grown. super cute.

Custom ADA cards

The first two show the custom ADA [business size] cards that I had made up by vistaprint. each card has a front and a back with a basic rundown of the ADA laws regarding service dogs. Haven's name and email are on them along with her job title.

And sitting pretty in pink with a new hair cut, is Haven herself. She's bigger than she looks in the photo

Countdown to Dog Camp

The Beginning...

It all started June 2015. Well really it all started about 10 years ago. I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 and a severe panic disorder. Then the medication merry-go-round started to turn. I've tried nearly everything. Mood stabilizers didn't work well for me. Atypical antipsychotics worked but many made me quite ill physically. After ten years of trying different meds and different combinations of meds i decided that while they helped in some areas there was something lacking. I needed something else. two years ago this October I was able to get my beloved cat Jinx into my no pets apartment as an Emotional Support Animal with a letter from my therapist describing my functioning with and without him. I love Jinx but he cant take a sharp from my hands before I took it to my skin or cope with me when I get into a dysphoric mania. He can't deal with loud. In June of last year, I discovered that psych service dogs existed. And after conversations with my therapist, best friend, and psychiatrist, it was decided that a psych service dog would be in my best interest. I started doing research and found a relatively local organization that trains service dogs for people like me. They also try to use rescue dogs as much as possible. I was sold. I submitted and application and waited. I heard back from them within a few weeks. After a phone interview I was told that I was a good candidate for a service dog. I knew it would be expensive. I knew it would be a while before I was able to get my dog but I persisted and was patient. Using my student loan refunds from two semesters as well as some of the money I got when I totaled my car, I was able to pay the $7500.00 that was required for my dog's training and my own training in how to continue training her and reinforcing  the behaviors that she would be taught before I even got to meet her. I made my final payment at the end of February.
About two weeks ago I received an email from the trainer. My dog, Haven, was ready for me and I would be able to meet her soon. After a few emails back and fourth with the trainer, we set up a time before the fall term started. 25-31 August was to be my training week at their facility. But I needed help with a hotel and transport to and from their facility for each day of "camp." The trainer was willing to work with me on this. Since I found out that I would be getting Haven, I have been cleaning and collecting dog stuff and looking at specialized mobility harnesses, as my meds make it so that I do not thermoregulate well and am often orthostatic. This can lead to passing out, falling down and overheating. In addition to being a psych service dog, my dog would need to provide mobility assistance. I could use her to help me up after a fall or even better, to prevent a fall from happening.
Since I found out when I would be able to meet Haven and bring her home, I have been in full blown furbaby nesting mode. Cleaning and organizing my tiny apartment [still not done but I'm slowly plugging away at it] and putting together all the things I would need to make Haven comfortable and happy in my home as well as various items that identify her as a service animal. All the gear that I've collected is either bright pink or black or both. Black leather collar and lead. Pink service dog vest with black accents and straps. Pink training belt [holds treats, clicker and various odds and ends]. Black treat pouch. The mobility harness I'm looking to get when I get my refunds this term is in black leather with natural wool padding. It's not cheap. But it could save me broken bones or a head injury. I've bee stocking up on dog food, treats and poopy bags.
The pink and black service dog vest I bought came with these cool ADA cards [business card size] that outline Haven's rights and my rights. But additional ones cost $10-15 for 50. I went on one of those design your own business card sites and designed custom ones with Haven's name on them, my name on them and all the info that was on the cards that I got with Haven's vest. I also created an email address that I put on the cards as well so as to not have to give out my personal email. If people want to contact me regarding Haven they can do so at HavenServiceDog@gmail.com. I ordered some snap on leash wraps that say some fun things. They are being custom made in pink with neon blue embroidery, blue with neon pink embroidery and black with rainbow embroidery.
I have one pile of stuff left to sort through and organize. A friend is coming to hang out Monday night and help me finish this pile of stuff on Tuesday.
I have a feeling that working with Haven will be life changing. I will not be alone. She will be able to help with my panic symptoms and my bipolar symptoms. She already knows 25+ behaviors and tasks. Theres a handful of tasks that I will be doing the training for myself under the guidance of Haven's professional trainer.
Thats all for the beginning of this journey. More to come as events unfold.