🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣)

Archer’s dog on a mission. Doc wants a quiet life. #Labradoodle #ActuallyAutistic #ADHD #Accessibility and #Disability

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

First day out with my official assistance dog jacket (and in training lead slip).

Got to ride several trains and to visit with my favourite septuagenarian and tease Doc that I was leaving her for him. After all, of all the Archer dogs he knows I’m the Archerest! #DogsofTwittter

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@adiintl At the start I would have loved to received a fully trained dog.

But now, nearing the end of initial owner-training with assessment looming, I realise I have gained so much from this route. It needs to be an option. Especially in the UK where there is no distinction in law.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@adiintl I support standards but the demand for professional trained assistance dogs far outstrips supply.

The choice to owner-train was hard, but a ten year wait would have been worse.

Lives are on hold!

Either increase supply or include an owner-training route.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Archer at the Tate Modern.

We joined a tour - Archer’s first guided tour of anything. She was very good, tucking down as asked when we stopped to view a piece.

[Taj Ali @Taj_Ali1]

Mick Lynch: “Closing ticket offices will lead to the widespread de-staffing of stations and make the railways inaccessible to thousands of disabled, vulnerable and elderly passengers. We will not quietly sit back and allow this to happen...

https://t.co/AyXc0RGnlm

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

So proud of Archer, this was her first visit to a clothes shop and she tucked down no fuss and let me try on. But while she stayed down as I changed, she also sneaked her head under the curtain.

Must have looked fun from the other side.

#AssistanceDog #DogTraining

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Favourite purple dinosaur was loved to death, stuffing bleeding out.

Spoilsport Doc took dino away.

Then spotted Dino randomly in a clearance sale.

Lucky dog receives new purple dino friend.

Dino screams, but can’t escape.

#ItsADogsLife

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Guess who is learning how to behave in social spaces! And I managed a glass fronted lift too.

#AssistanceDog #DogTraining

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

An anti-milestone - Archer’s first full access refusal by a taxi driver who wouldn’t backdown. But thanks to @saj_anderson I know it’s worth reporting.

Now I really hope this will be pursued by the council with as little additional work from Doc as possible. We’re knackered!

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Someone found a cool spot.
#ItsADogsLife

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@Nigel42202907 @MikeyCycling Archer’s not bad with roads, but we stick to cyclepaths as much as possible, just roads to bridge one path to the next. Drivers are always more considerate at crossinsg when she’s there and I cycle more slowly are carefully too - win win.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@Nigel42202907 @MikeyCycling Depending where, that may have been us - btw to best of my research it is legal if the dog is suitable trained and behaved and the lead such that it won’t interfere with the bike or distract the cyclist. Took 8 months of training before we attempted our first empty side road.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Archer is now old enough to run all the way to the park and home again. Last time I took her to the park she was still small enough to ride in my bike basket.

Gloriously sunny evening, a joy to be out.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@AngieBeatDown Feeling so much better about my training mishaps now that even the mature adults assistance dogs make mistakes 😇.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@charliersmith1 This one’s always makes me smile - hope it does you too. I woke in the night blearily stepped over the sleeping dog on way to the toilet, on returning to bed, found it was occupied. No remorse shown; cheeky puppy!

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

#milestone Visited a library.

#AssistanceDogTraining

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

#ItsADogsLife

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Second Eucharist service, and an improvement on last week. Archer didn’t quite settle but did stay lying down for most of it, only a couple of resets required. And we went up to the rail to receive.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

Today I had a field-trip to @millgreenmuseum for #NationalMillsWeekend .

Doc said it was a great opportunity to learn not to run up to people even if they are out for attention waving handkerchiefs, tapping sticks or ringing bells. #MorrisDancing

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

@blindseyeview Archer is a very nosy dog, and insists on having a position where she can watch everyone, so her nose is to the aisle most of the time.

[🐾 Archer (& Doc 👣) @ArcherAndDoc]

#milestone

Archer’s first church service. She did so well, had to be reminded to lie down a few times when people wandered around but it was amazing for a first attempt. 😇🦮

#AssistanceDogTraining