Question on medical aid and service dogs

CainGSD · 03-13-2011, 09:02 PM

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of what would happen to a disabled person's service dog in the event of them needing emergency medical aid? What happens to the dog when the person is transported to an emergency department?

Rerun · 03-13-2011, 09:09 PM

Can't speak for what happens in the event of an ambulance ride as I never encountered that, but I worked a DOA with an older female GSD guide dog from leader dogs for the blind. The man lived alone, dog was inside when he died. The family was contacted and arrived on scene, but sadly would not take possession of the dog, even temporarily. Dept policy doesn't allow the dog to be taken by an officer. So animal control had to be called and she was taken there.

I personally raised a dog for the same group this dog was from, so I contacted them the following day (this happened late one evening, I contacted them the following morning) with the situation and they got into contact with the mans family who did end up taking possession of her from the shelter. I told them if they needed someone to take her in if the family wouldn't take her, that they could contact me, and they (the organization) were very grateful.

Elaine · 03-13-2011, 09:48 PM

When I was a medic, if there was someone handy to either come pick up or just take the dog and they weren't someplace like home to leave the dog, I would take the dog with and let the ER deal with finding someone to come take the dog.

CainGSD · 03-14-2011, 07:38 AM

Thank you both for your replies.

**ladylaw203** · 03-14-2011, 09:42 AM

When I arrested someone with a dog, I allowed them to call a friend to pick up the dog. If the person was not coherent, we would take the dog to the 24 hr vet for board . We had a k9 unit and one of us was always willing to transport. I would suggest that someone have a note by their driver's license with phone numbers and instructions for first responders. If someone is not consicious,the DL is the first thing that we look for

Lin · 03-31-2011, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ladylaw203

I would suggest that someone have a note by their driver's license with phone numbers and instructions for first responders. If someone is not consicious,the DL is the first thing that we look for

I have a question related to this. I have an alert card in my wallet. I have it in one of the card slots, I chose the one I stuck it in because it sticks out pretty far. So is this a good spot for it and if I was unconscious responders would check my wallet? I worry that no one would even notice it. I'm at risk for dilation and dissection of the aorta and other vascular tears, which is abnormal so if that happened and I was unconscious someone finding the card and knowing to check for those could mean life or death.

GSD_Xander · 03-31-2011, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lin

I have a question related to this. I have an alert card in my wallet. I have it in one of the card slots, I chose the one I stuck it in because it sticks out pretty far. So is this a good spot for it and if I was unconscious responders would check my wallet? I worry that no one would even notice it. I'm at risk for dilation and dissection of the aorta and other vascular tears, which is abnormal so if that happened and I was unconscious someone finding the card and knowing to check for those could mean life or death.

Could you get a MedicAlert bracelet/necklace, etc?

I know they know to look for those...

Lin · 03-31-2011, 01:03 AM

I've looked into those. The thing is you can't put all the relevant information (that I'd need) on the cheaper engraved ones, and I can't afford the more expensive ones where you're paying for a service and the responder calls the number to get your medical info. Also due to allergies I can't get cheaper metals, which goes back to I can't afford one currently..

Elaine · 03-31-2011, 02:12 AM

All I ever looked for was med bottles in the purse, a drivers license, insurance card, and either a med alert necklace or bracelet. I don't know anyone that looked at anything else as we not only didn't have time, but it's snooping into things that's none of our business.

My best suggestion is to get the bracelet and say something short and to the point like "at risk for vascular tears." Don't need much more than that out in the field and the ER will pull up your record once you get there.

Rerun · 03-31-2011, 08:47 AM

Agree with the above....although in the photo it's pretty obvious, on scene there usually isn't time to really dig through things like that. It's not out of laziness, it's simply just too hectic at the time. They'll scan for a DL and that's about it. Any way to secure that card directly by your DL, in plain view? Strong double sided tape or something of the sort? Or if you really wanted to, laminate the card and somehow secure a light necklace to it, and wear it under your clothing?

03-13-2011, 09:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
CainGSD Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Richey, FL Posts: 463	Question on medical aid and service dogs Does anyone have experience or knowledge of what would happen to a disabled person's service dog in the event of them needing emergency medical aid? What happens to the dog when the person is transported to an emergency department? __________________ Nora Cain von Hena-C, VPG A, TT 10/19/2003 - 12/17/2009 Gone but not forgotten. Dazzle von Linienbach, 02/07/2009 Learning the ropes. Doc vom Eisernen Loewen, 02/02/2010 SDIT

03-13-2011, 09:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,784	When I was a medic, if there was someone handy to either come pick up or just take the dog and they weren't someplace like home to leave the dog, I would take the dog with and let the ER deal with finding someone to come take the dog. __________________ Elaine and the herd

03-14-2011, 07:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
CainGSD Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Port Richey, FL Posts: 463	Thank you both for your replies. __________________ Nora Cain von Hena-C, VPG A, TT 10/19/2003 - 12/17/2009 Gone but not forgotten. Dazzle von Linienbach, 02/07/2009 Learning the ropes. Doc vom Eisernen Loewen, 02/02/2010 SDIT

03-14-2011, 09:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
ladylaw203 Moderator Join Date: May 2001 Location: Beaumont,Texas Posts: 4,752	When I arrested someone with a dog, I allowed them to call a friend to pick up the dog. If the person was not coherent, we would take the dog to the 24 hr vet for board . We had a k9 unit and one of us was always willing to transport. I would suggest that someone have a note by their driver's license with phone numbers and instructions for first responders. If someone is not consicious,the DL is the first thing that we look for __________________ Renee Utley Port Authority Police KaroSkocickaSamotaZM,ZOP,ZPU,FPR,FPR,ZVV1,ZZZ,ZZP, RHE,ZM TART, IRO titled SAR dog ZVV1 Gabbi Mariko Bohemia ZVV1 Jessy Vikar www.nndda.org, Certifying official http://www.voneintzeshepherds.com

03-31-2011, 01:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lin Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 3,243	I've looked into those. The thing is you can't put all the relevant information (that I'd need) on the cheaper engraved ones, and I can't afford the more expensive ones where you're paying for a service and the responder calls the number to get your medical info. Also due to allergies I can't get cheaper metals, which goes back to I can't afford one currently.. __________________ Sorry dude. I can't live up to your expectations all of the time. Sometimes I'm going drink six miniature bottles of rum and then draw horses. That's just the way the world works. - Allie Brosh

03-13-2011, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	Can't speak for what happens in the event of an ambulance ride as I never encountered that, but I worked a DOA with an older female GSD guide dog from leader dogs for the blind. The man lived alone, dog was inside when he died. The family was contacted and arrived on scene, but sadly would not take possession of the dog, even temporarily. Dept policy doesn't allow the dog to be taken by an officer. So animal control had to be called and she was taken there. I personally raised a dog for the same group this dog was from, so I contacted them the following day (this happened late one evening, I contacted them the following morning) with the situation and they got into contact with the mans family who did end up taking possession of her from the shelter. I told them if they needed someone to take her in if the family wouldn't take her, that they could contact me, and they (the organization) were very grateful.

03-31-2011, 02:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
Elaine Crowned Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,784	All I ever looked for was med bottles in the purse, a drivers license, insurance card, and either a med alert necklace or bracelet. I don't know anyone that looked at anything else as we not only didn't have time, but it's snooping into things that's none of our business. My best suggestion is to get the bracelet and say something short and to the point like "at risk for vascular tears." Don't need much more than that out in the field and the ER will pull up your record once you get there. __________________ Elaine and the herd

03-31-2011, 08:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
Rerun Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 5,608	Agree with the above....although in the photo it's pretty obvious, on scene there usually isn't time to really dig through things like that. It's not out of laziness, it's simply just too hectic at the time. They'll scan for a DL and that's about it. Any way to secure that card directly by your DL, in plain view? Strong double sided tape or something of the sort? Or if you really wanted to, laminate the card and somehow secure a light necklace to it, and wear it under your clothing?

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
German Shepherd Advertisement