
It is now five months since I shared my Bullying & Beyond post, Painting the Pain, part one. It is not an easy read and comes with a trigger warning. You can access it here… Bullying & Beyond… 10.Painting the Pain, part one.
Those past five months have been very challenging for our daughter and for us as parents, as she tries bravely to cope with her anxiety. She refuses to give in and her resilience is remarkable. As well as accessing professional health support, she has also started a campaign, to try and set up a Psychiatric Assistance Dog charity in Ireland. Sadly in Ireland while there are guide dogs for the blind and Assistance dogs for autism, Psychiatric Assistance Dogs do not exist.
To understand the whole area of Psychiatric Assistance Dogs, Emma has been busy educating herself via books, blogs, Social Media and YouTube. A year ago, she began her campaign, contacting political representatives and support organisations.
Emma’s campaign is driven by her goal to have legislation enabled in Ireland to give Psychiatric Assistance Dogs equal status to that available to users of guide dogs for the blind and Assistance dogs for autism. Having the company of a Psychiatric Assistance Dog to pre-empt the onset of panic attacks will enhance Emma’s life, allowing her to leave home for the first time in months feeling comfortable and safe as she goes about her daily life.
Emma has purchased a Golden Retriever puppy, which she has named Doris.

It is hoped that in time and with the correct training Doris will be the first recognised Psychiatric Assistance Dog in Ireland. Emma dreams of offering this service of trained Psychiatric Assistance Dogs to others.
To see this goal realised, Emma has also worked unceasingly to set up her website www.candocanineire.com and you can read more of her mission and goals here.
Emma has been in regular contact with the office of the Minister of State for Disability Issues, Mr. Finian McGrath and she has created a petition, which she hopes will receive lots of support and help her have Ireland enact and recognise equal status for Psychiatric Assistance Dogs. I would be forever grateful if you would make Emma and Doris’ day by signing their petition and finding one other person to do likewise.
I hope I’ve attached the petition link correctly, for convenience, just as you’ll find it on Emma and Doris’ Instagram account…
https://linktr.ee/dorismakesmy.day

Emma and Doris have also started an Instagram account @dorismakesmyday where they would love you to keep them company as they both document and share their journey towards an Ireland that recognises Psychiatric Assistance Dogs and offers people like Emma who live with a mental health condition access to the love and support of a Psychiatric Assistance Dog.
And we can’t finish without recalling this trailblazer… Andy, Emma’s first dog. Although it broke Emma’s heart (and ours) to let him go to a playfilled future, it had to be done.

Do you struggle with mental health issues? Do you have panic attacks? What do you know about Psychiatric Service Dogs? Do you know anybody who would benefit from reading this post, if so, please feel free to share.
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
February 18, 2019 at 5:40 pm
This sounds exciting and I’m so glad to be a part of the journey:)
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February 18, 2019 at 6:35 pm
Thank you Parikhit, we’ll be delighted to have your company!
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February 18, 2019 at 7:10 pm
Oh! This sounds exciting! We allow service dogs for mental health in the USA. Come on Ireland!!! HandyAndy is needed! Best of luck. xo
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February 18, 2019 at 7:50 pm
Thank you so much Kim, that is exactly what Emma needed to hear right now. If you know anyone on Instagram please consider telling them to stop in and visit. Xx
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February 18, 2019 at 8:21 pm
😊
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February 18, 2019 at 9:50 pm
What a courageous and resourceful young lady … I feel that just by trying she is already halfway there to finding her own solution. They will become great buddies 🙂
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February 18, 2019 at 9:58 pm
I agree Kate! If you have Instogram please stop in on her and Andy. I think they are already!
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February 18, 2019 at 9:51 pm
ps I don’t do other social media, sorry ❤
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February 18, 2019 at 9:59 pm
No worries, maybe you can recommend her if you know other Instagram account holders instead! Xx
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February 18, 2019 at 10:02 pm
coz I’m not into it I have no idea who has, sorry … maybe I just reblog this so my readers are alerted 🙂
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February 18, 2019 at 10:07 pm
That would be so generous Kate, maybe some of your readers would use Instagram and it would lift her spirits to share Andy with some visitors! Xx
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February 18, 2019 at 10:12 pm
have reblogged it with a bit of editing 🙂
readers will surely grow once people become aware of her intention … sorry Ireland is so backward!
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February 19, 2019 at 8:20 am
Thank you Kate! Yes sadly Ireland is behind in a lot of areas and still millons are being wasted and nobody is held accountable!
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February 19, 2019 at 8:24 am
in all countries, we voters don’t make them accountable 😦
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February 19, 2019 at 8:32 am
I concur! We are too quiet!!
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February 19, 2019 at 8:33 am
let’s start a revolution … damn I’m out of time!
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February 19, 2019 at 6:00 am
Marie everyone is either asleep or too busy today, rescheduled this for a better time tomorrow 🙂
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February 19, 2019 at 8:30 am
Sounds good to me…you know best what suits your time zone! 😎
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February 19, 2019 at 8:33 am
true … let’s hope there is more interest tomorrow 🙂
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February 18, 2019 at 10:22 pm
What a sweet pup. Best of luck to both of them and I will follow for sure. Because of my love for diy, my friends call me handy Mandy 😊
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February 19, 2019 at 8:22 am
Thanks Amanda, that’s great. Lucky you being so handy…I’ll tell Emma that, Lol!! 😂
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February 18, 2019 at 11:55 pm
Wishing Emma and Andy all the best for his becoming the first psychiatric support dog in Ireland! I’m not on Instagram, but I’ll share this on Twitter; I’m sure lots of the young folks on there are also on IG.
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February 19, 2019 at 8:24 am
Terri, you are amazing and as always I appreciate your support. Yesterday was a tough day on Emma. I hope she begins to share some of it as writing and sharing is cathartic. I feel very grateful for your friendship! Xx
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February 19, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Aww…you’re far too kind Marie. I’m sorry yesterday was so tough for Emma. Hopefully her new Instagram will give her an avenue for expression also. Even if she doesn’t decide to really write about everything, maybe just having a place to open up a little will help her. I’m grateful for your friendship as well, more than you know. Blessings to you and your family!
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February 20, 2019 at 2:13 am
I truly hope Andy is able to help! It is so wrong that there aren’t Psychiatric support dogs available…the need is there and it is real!
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February 20, 2019 at 8:28 am
Thank you Ann, and you are correct, there is a need there. We hope that Emma and Andy can begin and become be the change that is needed….one paw at a time! I hope you and yours are all well, particularly your little grandson. Xx
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February 20, 2019 at 3:33 am
This is incredible! Your daughter is an amazing soul. Look how many people she will touch and inspire during this process. I wish her all the joy and growth in the world. I cannot wait to watch her journey. 💗
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February 20, 2019 at 8:36 am
Lisa, your heartfelt words are so appreciated and I will share them all with Emma. All the wonderful interest and support will give her the strength she needs. Andy doesn’t realise yet the important job he has ahead of him but he is already making a difference. Le grà, Marie xx
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February 22, 2019 at 3:12 pm
Vert very best wishes to Emma and the amazing Andy! Our little furry buddies make such a difference. The day my breakdown hit in summer 2017 the only thing I wanted to do was visit our canine buddy Molly for some doggy therapy.
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February 25, 2019 at 4:10 pm
Found Emma and Andy on Instagram, following! Will spread the world.
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February 25, 2019 at 10:10 pm
Thanks Kim!
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May 3, 2019 at 12:25 pm
I’ve not heard of Psychiatric Service Dogs, but I have heard of PAT dogs. PAT dogs being different to what your daughter was after. So learning something new here.
Will you plan to post more here how your daughter gets on with this?
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May 3, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Thank you Liz for spending so much of your day reading my posts. I hope you’ve enjoyed them. My daughter has an Instagram account @reallyhandyandy
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May 3, 2019 at 3:05 pm
You’re welcome. I have enjoyed my quiet time reading through your blog posts.
I don’t have an Instagram account, or any other social media. It’s just hereat WordPress. 🙂
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July 22, 2019 at 2:15 am
Great to hear of your daughter’s passion for this Marie! 😀
Has she thought of setting up her own NGO charity for this with online funding? Or Government grants?
Companion dogs are an important source of support for those with various health issues including mental health & disabilities. They can be life saving.
Bless you both,
Jennifer
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July 22, 2019 at 7:07 am
Lovely to wake up this morning to your warm and thoughtful response Jennifer. Yes, she has, her website http://www.candocaninesirl.com gives info on her mission. She is quite passionate about it as she has gained a lot of assistance from her wonderful pet, Juke, over the many wears we have had him and whilst he is an aloof dog, independent and cool, he always knows when she’s really struggling and makes himself available to her. He looks into her soul and she has shed many tears into his furry comfort, particularly when struggling to cope with the physical assault and the stress of final school exams and minimal home school hours because school had become a no go area as seen in B&B, Painting the Pain, pt.1. There are no Psychiatric Assistance dogs in Ireland and no access rights for such dogs. Should you sign the petition and pass it on, I would be forever grateful. This mission is the focus she needs, to help others which will help herself. Le grà, Marie x
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July 22, 2019 at 7:32 am
Jenniver, I’ve updated the post and hopefully clarified Emma’s hopes, dreams and efforts a little clearer, thanks to your suggestion. X
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July 23, 2019 at 12:06 am
You’re welcome Marie 😀
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July 22, 2019 at 8:26 am
So wonderful and exciting. I’ve just followed Doris makes my Day on Instagram. So happy to follow their journey 😊
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July 22, 2019 at 8:34 am
Miriam, your follow is really appreciated. Please keep positive thoughts going for Emma and Doris. This is an unchartered adventure with many unknowns and Emma is left unsupported despite actively seeking support for over a year but that is serving to make her even more determined! Thank you for your company! Xx
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July 22, 2019 at 8:54 am
I hope that changes at some stage and Emma gets the support that she needs. Yes, I’ll definitely be following and supporting their adventure. xx
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July 22, 2019 at 8:55 am
Wonderful, thank you!
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July 22, 2019 at 8:57 am
Ohhh sweet Doris..goodluck to this endeavor and i hope you made it up to your goal..
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July 22, 2019 at 9:40 am
Wow! This is so inspiring. I hope Emma gets support. Companion dogs can make all the difference in the world 💕
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July 22, 2019 at 11:27 am
True Lisa, she has friends in America with Psychiatric Service Dogs and she has seen the difference it makes to their lives!
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July 22, 2019 at 2:44 pm
What a lovely dog…and a very inspiring movement.i truely hope we find a way to help in finding a solution..
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July 22, 2019 at 5:58 pm
I love your enthusiasm Mich, thank you!! Together we will find a way! X
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July 22, 2019 at 3:38 pm
May Emma and Doris succeed with inspiring love and peace to reign! xx
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July 22, 2019 at 6:02 pm
With such kind and encouraging support like yours Janie, they will succeed!
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July 23, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Thank you Marie…
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February 18, 2019 at 10:08 pm
Warm Irish hugs Kate! Xx
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