Top Ten Revelations of Social Media

1. Social media plays a big part in everyone's lives.But it can also affect businesses as well. I learned this while creating my SHU Social Media 4 Social Change project called Paws for A Cause. Businesses are affected by this because of how it helps connect companies and consumers everywhere. "Social Media is also a medium. Like print, broadcast, radio, it is a method of communication. unlike print, broadcast, and radio, however, it can be shared with many people in a scalable way."(pg. 2).
2. Another thing that I learned is that there is not really a thing called privacy anymore. On social media websites, people can see everything that you post on the internet. So nowadays, you have to be extremely careful not to post anything that you don't want other people to know about because you can't take it back afterward. Privacy simply does not exist in the digital world. Once you turn on your computer, your privacy is at risk. Be smart. Be transparent Only put out there what you want people to see, and think about longer-term ramifications of the content you develop"(pg.55).
   
   
3. As I have seen throughout the SHU Social Media 4 Social Change project, Blogs can be used for many different reasons such as being used for personal blogs and marketing blogs. Also, a blog can be a primary tool and can help keep in contact with customers and seeing what needs to be modified with products or the websites. “Blogging can be one of the most important ways for marketers to communicate in today’s online world. Marketers as individuals can absolutely use blogging as a way to demonstrate thought leadership, expertise, and transparency around the work they do” (pg.212).
4. Another thing that we have incorporated into our social media projects are something called hashtags. We see these all the times on social media websites like twitter and Facebook. The user can make their own hashtags (or keywords) to find, all posts that have the same hashtag in them. This can be useful especially when you have the shift through hundreds of posts on blog, twitter or other social media sites, “Hashtags reflect the notion of keywords for search-engine optimization (SEO) in that they enable you to ensure that content on a Web site or another online portal is featured within Google, Bing, Yahoo!, and other search engines” (pg187).
5. In the book, it states, “It’s never too late to join social media” (pg.244). I can definitely understand this quote. I didn’t start using twitter a few weeks before we started the semester. But it’s important to join social media websites since nowadays all the most recent news is being posted online. We see on all the news stations that they now use live twitter tweets to show the most recent news in local areas. Social media is a great way to connect to the consumers in a fast and efficient way.
6. For each of our social media projects, we also had to sort of advertise our projects on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram pages. By advertising our projects on social media, we brought more awareness to our blogs since we are linking our blogs to our social media websites making it easier for consumers to find our blogs. “Social media marketing is all about increasing brand awareness but also about moving from awareness to engagement to, ultimately, advocacy.” (pg.225).

The Hidden Complications of Fake Service Dogs

This article is about something that is one of the things that you have to deal with when you get a service dog. The complications of fake service dogs. What are fake service dogs? They are mostly dogs that are not trained to perform tasks for someone with a disability and are not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which allows service animals to go into public places. So what are the complications do Fake services dogs have that effect real service dogs? here they are:

1) Service dog handlers have disabilities. 
We all know that to have a service dog you need to have a disability. And obviously, If you don't have a disability you don't qualify for a service dog. People that say to the owner, "Oh I really wish I had a service dog" or "It will be so cool to have a disability so I can bring a dog everywhere" or even just "you're so lucky to bring your dog everywhere".  These comments are hurtful to people with service dogs because then we think you're not taking our disabilities seriously and aren't real.

2) Service Dog handlers are constantly judged.
Service Dog handlers are constantly judged about their disability and about having a service dog. Sometimes it can be from the public, friends, sometimes even family. It can be frustrating when people ask: "What's wrong with you?", "Show me your Service Dog ID","I wish my dog was a service dog". This is because it's making light of our situation and all the hassle of a service dog teams daily life.

3) Fake Service Dogs can affect the Service Dog Community.
 So imagine this: you at your local Starbucks relaxing enjoying your coffee when a woman walks in with her so called "service dog". The little thing may look cute and harmless at firs, but then it's wild side comes out. it start's sniffing everything, eating things off the floor, barking at everyone, that walks by her and nips at people's feet. This is all going on while the woman is waiting in line like nothing is happening. One of the baristas comes up  to her and ask's "Were Sorry but we have to ask you to leave. Pet's aren't allowed here." She tells her "Oh it's not a pet, It's a Service Dog".

Can you see why Fake service dogs are a problem, They leave the businesses feeling suspicious of  all service dog teams real or fake. If this kind of story though gets in the news, it could have even more of a negative impact on the service dog community by letting people around the world feel that these fake service dogs are what real service dogs are like, which it isn't. I hope this article helps bring awareness to about Fake service dog's and why they are such a problem to the real service dog community.

http://www.anythingpawsable.com/fake-service-dog-complications/#.VyaepTArKUk

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Different Types of Service Dog Vests

The most important thing that you can determine whether a dog is a service dog is the vest it wears. Even though service dogs are not required to wear them most owners do so that it doesn't start a conflict when going into public places. Service dogs also wear vests sometimes because it can help the owners. For example seeing eye dogs use a special harness that has a long handle so the dog is directly in front of the owner guiding them in the right direction.

A electronic guide dog harness that uses GPS, Bluetooth and a headset that vibrates to tell the owner which way the dog is going.

But seeing eye dog vests aren't the only vest you see on a service dog. There are also mobility assistance harness for service dogs. These harnesses are meant so the owners can use there dogs for support if there disability can affect there ability to walk such as multiple sclerosis. The harnesses handle is higher then a usually service dog vest and usually goes up to the owner's waist. It can fold down gently onto the service dog's back so they can go under tables and desks. 

A mobility harness's handle height is usually up to the owners hip area. When the owner feels that there having a hard time walking they can lean on there dog to make it easier for them.

Last vest is the normal service dog vest. This vest is used for mostly all service dogs, therapy dogs and emotional assistance dogs. They have a small handle on the top that is close to the harness. What's cool about this harness is that it has 2 clips and a metal loop on it. This can be used to attach pouches to carry things in them that you might need. You can also customize it with different colors, patches and embroidery on it to make it your own.  

This is Co-Jack with his normal service dog vest on. His has a service dog patch on the front and the sides of his vest. His vest also has the logo and name of his organization. 

http://www.anythingpawsable.com/types-of-service-dog-gear-vests-jackets-and-harnesses/#.VxWGLDArKUk

Brushing Your Dog's Teeth is Important

Now I know what your thinking. I have to brush my dog's teeth? I thought the same way when I first got Co-Jack and they told me I'm going have to brush he's teeth every day. But when I started it wasn't that bad. It's like brushing your teeth, but you have to make sure you get the toothpaste in his mouth (Co-Jack likes to lick it off since it taste like chicken to him).

Now why is brushing you dog's teeth is important? it's because just like humans dogs can get gum disease. This is actually a serious problem with dogs since not alot of people know about it. Mostly about 85% of  dogs that are over the age of 5 have gum disease. Gum disease happens just like humans. Food particles get stuck in the gum line and build up into hard tartar. If it's not removed it can turn into gum disease which can cause these symptoms: Bad breath, Pain, Abscesses that form in his mouth which can cause a bacterial infection. This infection can spreed to the blood stream and can go into the brain, heart, and liver.

So in the long run it's important to brush your dog's teeth and it doesn't have to be service dogs that get the special treatment. All dog's need it to live a happy and healthier life. :)

http://www.servicedogblog.com/2016/03/brusha-brusha-brusha/

All About Psychiatric Service Dogs

 In the article by Working Service Dog Blog , it talks about Psychiatric Service dogs which help people with Psychiatric disorders. These dogs can help with PTSD, Anxiety disorders, and even Depression. They perform many different tasks to help the handler and to alleviate their psychiatric symptoms. Some of these tasks include:

Retrieving Medication

These types of assistance dogs can bring their medications to their owners when they can't get it themselves because of the crippling effects a panic attack can have on someone. The dog will bring the medication and can also get you something to drink, for example, a bottle of water to make it go down easier. They can also get the phone for you so you can call for help incase of an emergency.

Emotional Support dog holding bag or medication

Looking for Help

 If the person is having psychiatric symptoms such as a panic attack that makes the owner not be able to get help from someone else, the psychiatric dog can get help for their owners by alerting a family member, friend or co-worker.


Waking Up Handler

Some medications can make the owner become a heavy sleeper. So if a fire alarm goes off in their home, The Psychiatric dog would nudge and gently tug on the owner to wake them up.

Assisting with PTSD and Anxiety

People with Anxiety disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder sometimes need assistance on feeling safe, even in their own home. Psychiatric Service Dogs can turn on lights and search the room before the owner enters to see if theirs anything suspicious. Once the coast is clear and the dog is done searching, it will go back to its owner and reassure him or her everything is fine.

http://blog.workingservicedog.com/2015/08/psychiatric-service-dog.html

Different Types of Service Dogs

Did you know that there are different types of service dogs? Each type is usually used for more than one disability. The different types of service dogs are:

Mobility Assistance Dogs: is a Service dog that is used to help their owner keep their balance with the use of a special harness that has a handle. The owner can sort of lean on the dog to help keep their balance. These dogs also learn commands to get things for their owners. 

Hearing Assistance Dogs: a type of service dog that alerts it's owner to sounds in their environment such as alarms, doorbells, phones. 

Diabetic Alert Dogs: are service dogs that alert or respond to dangerous or deadly blood sugar levels. Usually these types are dogs are trained to call 911 on a special K-9 cell phone if their owner is not responding. 

Medical Alert Dogs: There job is to alert their owner to changes in their body such as blood pressure and hormone levels. Diabetic Alert Dogs can fit in this category. But not all of Medical Alert Dogs are Diabetic Alert Dogs. 

Psychiatric Service Dogs: These dogs help their owner with mental disabilities. They can help remind the person to take their medication, help relieve anxiety, wake up from PTSD nightmares, and motivate people with depression. 

Visual Assistance Dogs: These Dogs help guide their visually impaired owner using a special type of harness that has a handle that is loose so the dog can walk in front of the owner to lead but also protect him from people or things in front. 

Medical Assistance Dog: is mostly a service dog that is trained for specific tasks to help the owner that has a disability that doesn't fit in the other categories. 

Sometimes I get asked, "What type of service dog is he?" When I bring Co-Jack into places. And I would say he's a Service Dog. But now I know that Co-Jack would be a Medical Assistance Dog. You see I have a disability were I can't breathe when I am asleep or pass out. He is trained to wake me up at night when a alarm goes off on a machine that helps me breathe when I am sleeping. He does this by first licking my hand and if not he jumps on the bed and licks my face. But breathing is also a problem for me during the day too. So if I fall a sleep in class, Co-Jack would put his two front paws on me and lick me until I wake up. He's an Amazing Medical Alert Dog. 

Let me know if you want to know anything about these special animals or My amazing dog Co-Jack

Avery Rosa

http://www.anythingpawsable.com/types-of-service-dogs/

Co-Jack at my grandma's doing the commands "Go In (or Go under)" and "Down".