POTS Service Dog Training

Hi! My name is Amanda, and this little pup is Ryder. I was diagnosed with POTs many moons ago along with a few other medical conditions.

Ryder, a four-month-old golden retriever/lab mix, entered my life as a foster dog from Charming Pet Rescue. Days into fostering I fell in love and adopted him.

Ryder's remarkable instincts became evident on day when he started barking at me during a seemingly ordinary moment of watching TV while I was home alone. Confused, I stood up to let him outside, and it was at that moment that Ryder's actions were revealed to be a response to an impending POTS episode. As my heart rate soared above 130 bpm, Ryder's alert behavior proved invaluable, providing a potential lifeline during moments of presyncope symptoms.

As someone with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a form of dysautonomia affecting the autonomic nervous system, I often experience symptoms such as rapid heart rate, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty standing for extended periods. These challenges severely limit my ability to perform routine tasks and engage in daily activities that many take for granted.

I have tried many medications and treatments but there isn't a cure for POTS. Unfortunately, training a service dog isn't covered by insurance and can get costly.

What is POTS you may ask. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that causes a number of symptoms when you transition from lying down to standing up, such as a fast heart rate, dizziness and fatigue.

How Can a Service Dog Help:

-Service Dogs can help people with POTS by providing stability and balance when blood pressure drops too low. The animal's sense of touch and smell can also alert them of an impending episode, allowing them to take action before it becomes an issue. If fainting occurs, Service Dogs can alert those nearby for help.

-Even simple tasks, like bending down to pick up an item, can cause a person with POTS to have a dizzy spell. A Service Dog can pick up any dropped items, making a person feel safe.

-People with POTS can also experience sudden changes in their peripheral vision. Impaired peripheral vision may cause them to sense movement or have blurred vision, affecting their spatial surroundings. The situation can lead to disorienting episodes and create anxiety. A Service Dog is a constant presence guarding against feeling disoriented or anxious.

Ryder and I appreciate your support. Thank you!