Last Tuesday’s Remembrance Day was a day local returned servicewoman Deborah Banfield would rather forget.
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After her 22 year service in the navy, Deborah suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which entitles her access to the services of a mindDog.
The mindDog organisation is a charity that provides fully trained psychiatric service dogs that help people with mental health disorders to still live a full and happy life.
The Bribbaree woman realised just how unaware the public was of this service when she chose to commemorate Remembrance Day in a quiet location of a local town pub.
Deborah, her 18-month-old French mastiff mindDog Doogle and her best friend Heather Cairney headed to the Mill Tavern at 10.45am.
But they were stopped at the door by the hotel’s staff members who questioned Doogle’s presence. Then staff disappeared.
Progress unimpeded, they seated themselves in a booth in the pub’s bistro - selected to support Deborah’s injured back.
At this point they were approached by hotel staff.
As protocol dictates, Deborah displayed Doogle’s mindDog licence and her mindDog’s rights card which guarantees them access to all public spaces in Australia - including cafes, restaurants and pubs - to publican Jenni Fliedner.
She also showed Jenni the mindDog website on her mobile phone and insisted she talk to her director.
“They were concerned we were obstructing the walkway, we were too close to the food, we were too close to the women’s toilet and the kids area and people might be scared (of the dog),” Deborah said.
“There was not a soul in there.
“I’ve been questioned about it before, as you should, but it’s the first time there’s been issues like this.”
The publican’s limited knowledge of what a mindDog was has now compelled Deborah to raise more awareness of the animal and service that has given her companionship, practical and emotional support over the past two years.
“He (Doogle) helps with my psychological health and other medical conditions. Quite like a guide dog, he’s got full access,” Deborah said.
“He alerts me before I have anxiety attacks - he can actually sense it 30 minutes before… and he protects me when I pass out.
“Obviously I need a big dog so he can move me out of the way of danger when I pass out.”
Deborah said Doogle was allowed full public access except to commercial kitchens or operating theatres.
She also explained that there was a high requirement for the dog to be impeccably groomed and hygenic.
Deborah said Tuesday’s experience left her shaken and distressed.
“And of all days, I wasn’t given that moment of remembrance.
“I ask that people tread lightly if you see someone with a service dog.”
The publican declined to comment when approached by The Young Witness on Friday
