Sadly, Samantha was hearing voices in her head, and finding ways to harm herself, even by cutting her wrists! She felt by harming herself the voices would go away because subconsciously she was hearing that she wasn't worth living and she was a waste of space.
On the advice of her doctor, she was advised to get a "Therapy Dog" however these dogs ranged in prices up to $20,000. Sam decided why not just go and rescue a dog that needs a good home. This dog would be her long-term friend and companion, someone she could confide in. Thus, Sam began an intensive search online for such an animal but to no avail did not find what she was looking for.
In 2012, Samantha and her husband John came upon two "therapy type dogs" themselves to alleviate some of her on-going medical-related problems.Fate smiled upon them when they decided to move from their flood-ravaged mobile trailer, and found two Pitbulls named "Abby" and "Dylan." this idea just seemed to be the anecdote to both of their issues.
Their landlord at the time, owned two very well trained Pitbulls, as he had been a police officer himself at one time.He gave them to the young couple, due to the fact where he was moving, did not allow dogs. He felt that due to their medical issue and whatnot, these special dogs could have a new forever home with them and a real purpose in their family.
In the state of Delaware, the bylaw regarding service dogs, is such, that you don't have to have them trained by a professional, but that you can actually train them yourselves.So through very little time, working with "Abby" and "Dylan" it just seemed that they were naturals for the enormous task.Not only were this Pitbulls receptive to a little bit of tender loving tweaking but they excelled in areas never even dreamed of. Abby an amazing "service dog" is now half of the Schwartz family nanny, babysitter, pet, along with therapy companion.(Dylan is discussed in Part-2 of the blog next week)
The results speak for themselves, as Samantha has become more confident in talking to people, making new friends with "Abby" always by her side. Basically, she assists Samantha in maintaining a normal life, instead of being a "shut-in" which she was prior to "Abby's" arrival.
This caring dog pushes Sam when she needs it most. Especially, when she is throwing up in the bathroom from her constant chronic migraines, this Pitbull is there laying beside her, helping her get through it.
As she visits her doctor, not only is "Abby" allowed to go in with her but participates in the examining process with Samantha. The result is that Sam doesn't take as much as the anxiety medication she needed before. As for "therapy councilling" that is pretty much non-existent now due to the fact this lady has someone she can confide and talk to.
When she was going through a very difficult pregnancy for fear of losing the baby, from a possible miscarriage, Abby was there to nurse her through it.Back then, Samantha was to abstain from sudden movements and resolved to bed-rest due to her maternal condition. Abby lay beside her, on her lap almost the whole time. If she had to get up, her ever-so-faithful therapy dog was there, walking right beside her. The only time they were separated was when she gave birth to her son.
After eight days of being away from home, it was a welcome relief to find her Abby waiting for her when she arrived. It didn`t take this dog very long to jump right back into her "service dog role"
When the clocked ticked to nurse the newborn baby, Abby was once again positioning herself on Sam`s lap. This dog was actually sitting in such a way to enable herself reinforcement beneath the baby, should Samantha fall asleep while nursing.In fact, this did happen quite a few times, but again Abby assisted in keeping the baby in her arms.So as it was, this dog became a "Nanny dog" of sorts into her many roles involved in the family.
Then tragedy struck, in the Schwartz family on two occasions which added to even more stress in Sam's life. Her favorite aunt had been diagnosed with "Stage 4" Lung Cancer but Abby just seemed to sense her anxiety once again. Add to that an even more emotional state of uneasiness when her sister was diagnosed with NMO.
Neuromyelitis, also known as Devic's Disease or Devic's Syndrome is a heterogeneous condition.This consists of the simultaneous inflammation and demyelination of the optic nerve.(optic neuritis) Unfortunately, it also includes the spinal cord (myelitis) and can be monophasic and recurrent.
Although the inflammation can also affect the brain, lesions are different from that of Multiple Sclerosis.Spinal cord lesions lead to varying degrees of weakness in the legs and arms.There is a loss of sensation, including blindness.Sadly, another condition immediately occurs in the loss of bladder and bowel control.Simultaneously, this disease attack the brain and immune system.Thankfully, Samantha's sister Essie is now getting chemotherapy for her condition.Nonetheless, although her condition is stable, and the fact she has lost all her hair, the chemo will not take it away. Despite all of the bad luck that has befallen
The first pic is Samantha along with Abby. The second pic is "Dylan" with Samantha.The third pic is Dylan laying on top of Abby, The Fourth pic is Abby is front and Dylan in the back. The fifth pic is the same.These amazing "therapy Pitbull Dogs are "Dylan and Abby" from Long Neck, Delaware, USA
No comments:
Post a Comment