Short story-filter: disabilities that present as virtually invisible

February 3, 2020 7:14 PM

Short story-filter: disabilities that present as virtually invisible and are substantially aided by a trained support dog. For a fiction story. Character appears normally-abled but requires the support of a dog. Emotional support and PTSD dont fit with the character. Suggestions?
posted by arnicae to Grab Bag (13 answers total)

There are dogs trained to alert for seizures and diabetes.
posted by soren_lorensen at 7:17 PM on February 3, 2020 [14 favorites]

Either before or during the episodes - I’ve met people whose service animals could sense a problem coming and warn them, and also I think one of the animals could push a SOS button if it was too late.
posted by clew at 7:19 PM on February 3, 2020

Epilepsy support dog? https://k94life.org/seizure-alert/
posted by Mizu at 7:19 PM on February 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

This doesn't address your actual question but I'd like to ask that you not use a phrase like "normally-abled."
posted by acidnova at 7:42 PM on February 3, 2020 [28 favorites]

I have a cousin whose support dog alerts her to things that may trigger an asthma attack.
posted by Tandem Affinity at 8:02 PM on February 3, 2020

Panic attack detection and deterrence may fall outside the realm of emotional support and therefore qualify as a possible trait here.

In the future, please consider not using "normally abled", because it is disrespectful to anyone with a disability, visible or not.
posted by Kitchen Witch at 8:30 PM on February 3, 2020 [5 favorites]

Seizure alert dog.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:56 PM on February 3, 2020

Migraines, too.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:50 PM on February 3, 2020

Dogs hear for handlers with a variety of hearing impairments, not all of which would be noticeable to a casual observer.

Dogs are also trained to help people with multiple sclerosis. MS looks different in different people, and many are able to walk and move quite freely at least some of the time.
posted by Nerdy Spice at 10:58 PM on February 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

Hearing service dog for a Deaf or Hard of Hearing (not 'hearing impaired') person
posted by Toddles at 11:01 PM on February 3, 2020

Toddles, I didn't mean to offend. I'm hard of hearing and have referred to myself for years as having a hearing impairment. The term doesn't bother me, and it's what I got used to early on. However, you're right that I should have been more thoughtful in this kind of forum. I apologize!
posted by Nerdy Spice at 11:15 PM on February 3, 2020 [3 favorites]

For near-deafness; for example, the person may be able to have a conversation with someone close by and facing them directly so does not seem deaf in the true sense, but they cannot hear the telephone, smoke alarm, knocking at the door, approaching car, etc. and the dog is trained to alert the owner of these noises (I know someone who has a dog for this very reason)
posted by AzraelBrown at 8:25 AM on February 4, 2020

I have tics that seem to be a manifestation of Tourette's, although not verbal ones. I touch things repetitively and repeat certain hand/leg motions subconsciously.

Having a dog to pet could help alleviate some of the anxiety that causes these repetitive motions. (But I am allergic to dogs, so I have never tried it.)
posted by tacodave at 6:28 PM on February 4, 2020