DwayneEMTP

Were you able to complete your stroke scale? How was his diction, facial expressions, bilat extremity movement in general? Febrile? A trial of Narcan doesn't seem unreasonable assuming that you'd just touch him with .2 or so to see if you got any reaction. A TIA and a nervous breakdown makes the 'no meds' history questionable in my mind. What kind of environment were they living in? Socioeconomic strata? Dwayne

C'mon, if we can stoop so low as to let women vote, surely we can let gays marry? Of course the point being is that we've evolved and matured as a society as new understandings become evident. It seems that the argument for many (not here, but what I've heard in general) boils down to whether or not being gay is a choice, and whether or not it's a choice, whether or not it aberrant. I can tell you that I personally don't believe that the majority of gays choose that life. After 15 years as an animal trainer I can tell you that every species that I've trained had a percentage that was sexually gay, (not sure if there is a separate, strictly mental aspect.). I trained one of the most expensive Arabian stallions in the U.S., valued at well over 1 million dollars. They made a huge amount of money from his stud services, yet he wouldn't mount mares. He had to be 'milked' while mounted on a gelding and the mares artificially inseminated. I've seen the same in dogs, cats, gorillas, horses, zebras...for me that kind of clinched the 'choice' argument, though of course I can't prove it and have no idea if such things have been studied. So if it isn't a choice, then why should they be denied the same benefits, social, legal, financial, that other couples share? And why should polygamy not be legal as well? There is little doubt that biologically males in general are not wired for monogamy. Why make laws that prohibit the natural biologic desires that we know are going to make them mentally unhealthy and much more likely to fail to follow the laws? Aren't laws meant to protect people from things? By denying a persons ability to participate in polygamy or gay relationships, who is being protected? Having said that, it seems that I've heard at one time or another that the marriage protections were not only religious, but also meant to give special considerations to people that were willing to responsibly help create the populations needed in many countries...in other words, pump out babies. A Not sniping at you Herb, as I can absolutely see your point. I can see, what I am reading as, your desire to draw some lines so as to not allow our kids and grand kids to inherit a society with streets polluted with ejected semen, disease, and amorality. We just need to be really careful I think not to deny kind, loving, committed people to suffer so that others can feel more socially secure. Dwayne

The more common theory is that dogs are owned mostly by whites, and that they come to associated the smells of those that share the more traditional common white diets and notice the different smells of those with traditionally different diets, making them uncomfortable. Plus, a person's fear is automatically an alert for the dogs... Interesting though.

Good to have you Brother... Jump in and get dirty! Dwayne

I'm really not familiar with the anti gay marriage arguments... Is there some no religious reason to be opposed to gay marriage? I can't see any reason, but then again I'm not terribly political, have no idea what it might effect besides the sensibilities of those that can't mind their own business.... I'd be interested in the non hate, counter arguments if anyone is familiar with them...

When I was an animal trainer I found that many blacks that I worked with had an intense irrational fear of dogs, any dogs. I'm not completely sure why that was... But, having that fear disqualifies them from working EMS in your eyes Ruffles?

Yummy she is...but is it just me, or is anyone else kinda bothered by the Eddie Munster hairline?

Out of all the shit in this thread, that is what changed your mind? Yeah, I don't get that...

See Doc? One of the many reasons I love you best... Dwayne

To define a society by the few rabid, damaged shitheads that make the news isn't terribly logical either. A bazillion people (Know, I looked it up) went shopping on Black Friday yet we only had these handfuls of atrocities...It's not a good representation. I would have more patience if they had been fighting over food, none at all for Christmas gifts. My recently promised contract fell through meaning a skinny Christmas for our family. Not a big deal really. Babs and I ran down to the craft store and started planning home made stuff for everyone. Punch my neighbor to feed my family? In a second...to get an Xbox? Not on my very drunkest, weakest, most impotent day... Dwayne

Man, good point...I'll need to think on that as I can't offer an even halfway intelligent reply... My knee jerk reaction would be instead to equate the emotional need of a pet combined with the emotional need of a LEOs firearm. If we are to argue that the dog is in no way a pet, then we can't even take into account that part of the equation. He has then simply lost nothing more than a tool, than an officer has lost when he has to give up his gun to another officer to be transported. And we don't rage for the officer, right? Both are going to certainly have an emotional deficit without them, but neither has actually truly lost anything more in that environment than granny has when we remove her from her home and her pet, thus her sense of familiarity, security, and often her only companion. Again, just to be clear, I'm not arguing that this dog had no value AT ALL to this person, only against what appeared to me to be politically correct, yet illogical, outrage at this mans inconvenience when he was actually not inconvenienced any more than any other person in a similar, non handicapped, scenario. See? Dwayne

Those two statements seem to contradict each other to my way of reading. Right, or no? And Wendy, how much care do a set of keys or a necklace need in that environment compared to a dog? Again, I'm not saying to leave the dog unattended, and in fact barring severe circumstances I would certainly take it. But how do you justify taking this man's dog, in this scenario, yet refuse to take all of the other non registered fat, smelly pets that would serve the same, and likely even more so, emotional purpose for gram and grandpa that have no family or other means of emotional support? Dwayne

Actually, sounds like much different than a normal night in the ambulance... Well, I assumed you! Who else would understand what an upstanding moral and ethical professional I am and trust me with their medical license in such an environment? Sheesh...obvious. And truthfully? If I could write my own paycheck? And it's not some pig that believes he's also hiring a slave? Yeah, you can bet your ass that I would be doing what I could to figure out if I could legally take this gig. I spent much of my young life around drugs, alcohol, sexual promiscuity and whatnot...I've slayed my demons and believe I would be fine in such an environment. Plus, those Hollywood parties look like they rock! I've spent the majority of my short EMS career in interesting, exotic places. I would have a really hard time passing up the opportunity to experience this one... Plus, I'll bet I could make a friggin' fortune on the side running fluid on his hungover buddies the morning after... Now, should they ask me to participate in causing them harm, say stand by with Narcan so that they can play the 'purposely overdose game', then all bets are off...I don't think there is enough money to get me to sell my medic soul... Dwayne

I think that most of us are blessed with that option. And it's a great first option. But we're not talking about first options here, we're talking about CISD, a whole different scenario. This statement makes it clear that either you have no actual involvement with professional religious counseling, or that the experiences you have had have been from backwoods, knuckle draggers..You are mistaken if you try and paint the entire religious world with that brush. Truthfully I do. I have resolved many problems with the help of my friends here, often specifically with ak, but he would be the first to say, "Bro, you are dealing with this in an unhealthy way. I don't think chatting about it is going to get it done. It's time we stepped this over to the pro's." And I would believe him, and do so. Buddies are great. I have discussed many heart wrenching issues with my friends here, and have made significant changes in perspective and attitude based on their council, but not a single one of the people that I respect here would ever consider my advice to be on a professional level, regardless of what I may have seen or done. Nor would a single person here ever again trust me if I told them, "I know you feel like you need more help, but don't worry, you and I can work this out..." As it would make it obvious that I was so ignorant as to be unable to see my own bullshit. CISD counselors are not professionals. They have been given enough information to harm people, and they sometimes do. Do people often feel better after having gone to them? Sure...that's because they weren't really that fucked up to begin with. You seem to be confusing visiting with a buddy to seeking educated, professional help. Both are great. The problem arises when someone gives your buddy a cert that can convince you and others that he IS the professional. Things can go sideways, people become or remain in pain, and there are no winners but the CISD guy that gets to play doctor because he spent a few hours in class. HLPP, C'mon, and I truly mean this respectfully, you are too smart to make the argument that "It's always been done this way, and it makes me feel important, so it must be good." Do me this favor, just this once. Look at the presentation, look at the studies, at least the overviews, and see if you have the same opinion once you've become educated on the subject as you do now. I'm truly curious of your opinion after you've done so... Dwayne

I would say that they are going to someone with significantly more education and experience, both in life and psychiatric issues than an group of CISD counselors combined. Though I'm not a religious person I do have two uncles that are. Both are preachers, Methodist, Baptist, and a significant part of their 4 year education was committed to psychological studies. Though I see your point, comparing them to CISD non professionals isn't accurate. Dwayne

Yeah man, it sounds like you're suggesting some boundaries, not setting them. If you say, "You know, I wish we didn't go to every hockey game your kids play in..." is your approach, and it's being ignored, then it's time to be very specific. "We're not going to every hockey game any more and it's past time that we set some boundaries for family time. I came here to work, not to be adopted. I've suggested I wasn't really into it, and you haven't seemed to have heard me. So we are going to sit down now and set a schedule. God bless your family, but they are not my family, and I won't spend all of my 'down' time with them any more." It's too bad that it has to be that way. But it does. You need to make a mature, kind, firm stand, or simply accept that you will be his gopher forever. I think it's cool as hell that he gets to see his family while on duty. But it sounds like he's got a bit of tunnel vision where it's concerned. Before you kick him in the balls, make sure that you've done your part to shine a light into that tunnel and that it's not just a misunderstanding. If it's not a misunderstanding and he's just taking advantage of you, then it's time to get more aggressive and burn his ass down. Dwayne

Man...crazy, crazy world....

Because you've shown yourself to be an under educated, unethical, liar. And those are only the reasons that you've provided here at the City. If you truly believe that statement above then you don't have the 7th grade science education, nor even the basic curiosity necessary for anyone here to be able to explain this to you. I believe that you are even being dishonest when you claim to be a medic. I think that you're a basic in a backwoods volly system somewhere and we've unfortunately shown you the respect of allowing you to play off your little charade for a long time. I've known some truly bonehead medics, but I've never met any that didn't have at least a Blues' Clues level of scientific education. I'd hoped better for you, but now you're not even really trying to pretend. You simply want to muddy threads. That's too bad. I'd hoped that you'd have something to offer. Dwayne

Not sure what story you mean, the link is a guy puking into an emisis bag...

I guess I don't see where it's been answered either...can you paste it? We're talking non emotional use, where this service dog serves a higher purpose for this man that a pet does for an elderly patient in the EMS environment. Dwayne

Siffaliss, again, try reading the whole thread instead of just jumping in...I've repeatedly stated that I would of course have taken the dog. But again, as you most often do, you chose to comment on my attitude instead of offering an intelligent reply to the questions asked. You're answer doesn't have to jive with me in any way, I was simply suggesting that you try and enter into an ongoing conversation having some idea what everyone is talking about. Because the paper said it, it must be true? As others here have mentioned, that needs not be the case, though I have no need to question the validity of his claim to needing a qualified service dog to make my point. I saw that he claims that the dog is 'his eyes', and many others here have agree. It's important for him to make that claim to shore up his lawsuit. I'm calling bullshit. I've challenged those here that disagree with that opinion to explain how this mans tool has any value in the environment that he was entering, yet none have done so. There ya go. I've kinda summarized it for you. Saved you all of that pesky ready before making your next comment. Dwayne

How do you know? Could you not be bothered to read the rest of the thread? What is the dog going to 'see' for this man in this environment? That is all very politically correct and I'm sure it makes you feel warm and yummy, but it doesn't address the issues that are being discussed. Again, read the thread so that instead of simply parroting the same tired shit you can answer the questions asked. In what way is this dog a lifeline for this patient in this environment? Why is everyone choosing to ignore such a simple question?

Impossible to answer. Maybe those two symptoms are related, but maybe they aren't. Each can be beneficial in certain circumstances, and in others very detrimental. But for my best guess? Step away from the keg, get a ton of water in your belly, get some sleep. Dwayne

Hey Jenn, welcome to the City! There is a lot of information here, but much of it doesn't come easily. And a ton of characters! But if you pay most of your attention to those from Colorado and write off the rest as rubbish you won't go far wrong. What's up with the two 'locations' in your profile? It's good to have you. Believe me though when I say that the payoff here comes from participating. From trying to answer questions, asking the things that you are curious about, soaking up the good energy and ignoring the bullshit. See? Easy, right? I look forward to your thoughts... Dwayne

(Edit. Post was directed to Kiwi, but you all posted while I was thinking and typing.) (Mike, again, in this environment, can you explain to me how this dog is more valuable to this man than a pet would be to the elderly?) Again, if you'd read the thread you'd see that I am opposed to leaving the dog if there is any option. What I am opposed to is the blind, PC outrage, as if they left his dog and then raped and beat him all the way to the hospital. He was inconvenienced, not abused, thus I don't understand the outrage. Why is it more important that this man has his dog in this environment than any other scared, injured patient that loves their dog? You're kinda arguing like HLPP, repeating your point but ignoring the questions... Unless the answer was hidden in here, "Mate are you serious bloody hell ow you can't not take some blind bloke's guide dog pretty stink bro not even beached and no ghost chups required." as no normal person has any idea what that means...