Therapy question - dogs

Joyce C. Henderson · Post by **Joyce C. Henderson** » Fri May 13, 2005 12:24 pm

Hi,
This is the first time I have ever used this format so please excuse any mistakes. My question may seem strange to you all but I wonder if any see their dog/cat/other variety of pet as therapy for sleep apnea symptoms during the day. In other words does your pet act differently toward you say when you are nodding at the computer?
The reason I'm asking this question is to try to convince my doctor that a dog can be trained to jump at me during those times at work when I "nod". If I can get his support I will train my dog through Handidogs and then I can bring him to my job as a Therapy Dog.
Any replys would be greatly appreciated and if you could send them directly to my email addy - great
Thanks
--joyceh@email.arizona.edu

melody · Post by **melody** » Fri May 13, 2005 12:33 pm

My cats are very solicitous toward me whenever I have an apnea. All 3 spend the night in the bed--one right at my head (how she doesn't get caught in the tube?) They want to comfort me and calm me down when I have pounded the bed--trying to breathe again. I have truly thought, this time I will die. Yes, I think a dog would be a big help.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Fri May 13, 2005 1:10 pm

I can't contribute to this, but I have to say, I can't WAIT for Rested Gal to see this topic. She's quite a dog lover, and raises them or boarders them or something, I forget. I'm wondering if she's had similar experiences. I have a hunch she'll see the word "dog" in the topic subject and will be interested.

My cat, well she doesn't react that much. But I think the noise from the bipap machine frightens her away into the other room.

I used to housesit and dog sit for some people years ago. They had two large friendly dogs. I remember being in a pity-pot mood, and since I was alone, I took the opportunity to just cry my eyes out. Well...! Boy did I get sympathy from these two dogs. They would come over and rest their heads on me and look all sad, like they were telling me not to be sad. That was so neat.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Fri May 13, 2005 1:38 pm

Hey Joyce,

Before you go to the trouble to train your dog for that purpose, just get yourself one of those gagets that hang on your ear and then buzz if you nod your head. Much easier and cheaper than the dog thing.

http://www.upstatesafetyproducts.com/napzapper.htm

chrisp · Post by **chrisp** » Fri May 13, 2005 9:12 pm

If you are using your cpap you shouldn't be nodding. But it is a very imaginitive way to get your dog to work using the ADA.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat May 14, 2005 5:50 am

I have a cat that wakes me up if I don't sound right and one night she woke up my future husband because he wasn't breathing right with his CPAP. He got upset and knocked her off of the bed, but when I explained what had happened he picked her up appologized and thanked her.
Now they are good friends

sleepless in ny · Post by **sleepless in ny** » Sun May 15, 2005 6:31 pm

My dog will lick my face until I wake up when I'm crying in my sleep. He doesn't bother with the snorning or apnea,,,probably because he snores as bad as I do. But I can always tell when I'm either talking or crying in my sleep because he's all over me.

LDuyer · Post by **LDuyer** » Sun May 15, 2005 6:36 pm

sleepless in ny wrote: My dog will lick my face until I wake up when I'm crying in my sleep. He doesn't bother with the snorning or apnea,,,probably because he snores as bad as I do. But I can always tell when I'm either talking or crying in my sleep because he's all over me.

You cry in your sleep?
I cry, but I can't sleep when I cry. Tears stuff up my nose, so I can forget about using my nose mask when that happens. Wonder how you are able to cry in your sleep?

Linda

Mask