Went to the prison this morning and worked with Karmen and Sally. Worked on basics. It ended up being a little trying as I had to work on changing my mentality while working with Sally. Trying to set aside the fear and confusion that normally occupy my mind I have to work on putting them out and trying to keep "Happy thoughts". I did see a change in her though as I started to put the "normal" thoughts out of my mind and replaced them with others. She developed a skip in her step as we walked up and down the hall. When the "normal" thoughts were there she just walked. So many commands and trying to focus on ensuring that I am using the right ones at the right times. I know it will just take some time. I think I did decent for my first session.
There was a little bit in the hallway that I did find my anxiety increase. There were a lot of inmates that were in the hall. Including one that was in a closet filling a mop bucket that kind of caught me off guard. The fact that I didn't notice her is what startled me more than her being there. This happened as I was concentrating on the work I was doing with Sally. It took me a couple to refocus on Sally not on the fact that I didn't notice the inmate there. While in the classroom that we started off in I had to try and keep myself from concentrating on the area around me. It took a lot to keep my focus on listening to Karmen. Terry tried to play a trick on me but it was something that I have been working on my own with too. Something that sounds so simple to many but is very difficult for me. Shaking hands. Terry told me I needed to shake hands with the inmates that were helping me today. I did it. It was something that I have been working on a little bit at a time. My anxiety still shot through the roof but I did it. One more, as Sarah says, "baby step".
Tonight I met Karen. Her, Terry, Sally and I went out for dinner. We wen to a little restaurant and we ended up being the only ones there. It was a fairly good dinner. The only time I found my anxiety raise was when the waitress brought us our food and I didn't notice her until she was right in my peripheral vision. That kind of startled me. Karen said she didn't even notice it bothered me. My legs though knew!! They tightened up and are still sore. I wanted to move but didn't. It was neat to meet Karen. She has a lot of experience that was interesting to hear about. Terry was surprised when he first introduced us as I went ahead and shook Karen's hand. He wasn't expecting that! Sally did incredible she went under the table and thought she stood up a couple of times I hardly knew that she was there. Terry and Karmen asked if I had any questions. I really didn't but I did try and explain that my learning curve is definitely derived from what I learned from the old Navy. See one, do one, teach one. As I watch and see how the commands that Sally has been taught play into everyday functions I will learn them. Then I will get the opportunity to put them into practice. Then later hopefully I will be able to pass that knowledge to the next veteran and teach them how a service animal can help them.
I am looking forward to tomorrow and learning more commands. We are supposed to go over some of the more specialized commands. Alert, and Pay Attention. Got to remember to try the "Happy thoughts". Afterwards Sally and I are going to spend the afternoon together. Get to try and get to know each other. I am really looking forward to it. A chance to chill with her and bond. Try taking her for walks around the hotel, limited public contact on my own for now. Just going for a walk in the fresh snow, will be nice! In the evening might go back out for dinner and possibly go to a store. Baby steps!!
