Service Dogs for Ostomy Patients: Any Experiences?

Hey all,

Has anyone gotten a service dog because of your ostomy, Crohn's, or any condition in between? I've had my ileostomy for a year, and even though my doctor says I'm in perfect health now, I can't do a lot of things I used to, like surf, rollerblade all day... well, I guess anything real physical. I tend to get these cramps near my stoma (like a foot cramp but worse) when I bend or do some sport like surfing, which kind of sucks. Has anyone been in my shoes? Anyway, back to the dog. I have a 7-month-old puppy, so smart and sweet, and I think she would be great to train as a service dog for me, just wondering if anyone has had a service dog for this kind of condition.

I was told that dogs can sense if you are about to have a flare-up or a blockage! Sounds cool, but wouldn't know if it's true until it happens...

I know they can detect epileptic seizures about to happen, and heart attacks, but would not know about blockages. They can smell a difference in the body when chemical balances are changing, but I would not think that that would happen before a blockage.

Yes, it probably is scar tissue, but as you said, I'm not in your shoes. After 9 operations for Crohn's and 2 hernia fixes, I have severe nerve damage. Darn, I don't rollerblade anymore, though not from having a stoma, but from falling over—that bloody hurts, lol. But yes, I do. It's like a cramp, but more like if you remembered getting a stitch if you ran or something. I have severe adhesion-scar tissue and have to go back to pain management AGAIN, like a merry-go-round here. Surfing? Well, no, I haven't done that in years since I broke my bro's board. So, I do yes, have severe pain; it refers into my back too. Bloody pain in the bum I no longer have, ugh... Maybe try nerve damage pills; they kind of help but are even expensive in Australia, not subsidized as if you had seizures, would cost me $5.80, but instead, it's over $50, and side effects like weight gain and weird stuff. Good luck xx Mooza

Hello Jelly,I have severe pain at times at the ostomy site. I put this down to the hernia and a blockage. My dog is very sensitive to my problems both with the hernia and the residual incontinence. I have been trying to teach him 'not' to keep drawing attention to it as his behaviour can be quite embarrassing at times.The best assistance he can give is simply to be there. (see my poem) Best wishes Bill

Absolutely! :) ;) ... Dogs can be trained to do many things to assist us, but they are also very healing to simply have near us. In fact, it has been proven for many years the effects pets have on the health and well-being of people, be it physical or psychological healing... Dogs in particular, for they are the most dedicated and helpful of all our Earthen creatures :) XOXO

Living with Your Ostomy | Hollister

Hey all, thanks for responding. I forgot my username and password, so it took me a long time to remember. Long story short, Rosie, my now year and 3-month-old puppy, is a certified service dog! I found a professional trainer who is helping me teach her skills like picking things off the ground or retrieving things, like my phone if I'm stuck somewhere like the toilet (lol), and she is also trained to find help. She knows the names of family members I live with and will go to them, bark, then bring them to me...really cool! Also, having her there with me on the hospital bed to keep me company always makes me happier :)