Page 948 - Total War on PTSD

The only problem I have is with people approaching and trying to pet Charlotte without permission. I take her to my daughters’ school and explain to the kids that they can't pet her, and why that is. They are all very fine with that. It's the adults. I only had her for a week and I went to do a Mystery Reader thing for my kids First Grade class. Of course, the kids were like "that dog is huge" and things like that and I had to tell them to back up. But it was when I had to walk from the classroom back to the front door, it was like at every door the teachers had their arms stuck out trying to pet her. She has a Don't Pet patch and it does absolutely no good. They either try to pet her anyway, or they ask to pet her.
Charlotte, my service dog, and I, were invited to a conference regarding medical laboratory medicine based on my experience within the career field. I didn't have a presentation to give or part of the program to manage this time, only to learn what I can, reconnect with people I've known over my military career, and hear what has changed in the hospital lab community. This was the first time I'd taken Charlotte on an airplane much less to a very public event. As a Service Dog Charlotte was not to be crated and put into the belly of the airplane, instead to be allowed to curl up at my feet to support me as she does. Doing so with a Great Dane is a little extra difficult as no matter how small a bundle she could curl up as we would impede upon at least some of the seat next to us. The people we sat next to were very understanding and we got along well.
The conference was an experience that pointed out to me how my life has changed so much. Charlotte kept me on my feet many times and supported me as much emotionally as she did physically. It was hard to see so many people I have known and not be frustrated that my
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