Suki the Gluten-Detection Dog and Her Celiac Human, Kendra Williams

This week on Don’t Feed the Fear, I’m joined by Kendra Williams, who lives with celiac disease and has a gluten detection dog Suki trained to keep her safe. In this conversation, we talk about when a food allergy detection dog is a good fit, the role Suki plays in daily life, and how this unique partnership has reduced anxiety and increased her confidence in navigating a gluten-filled world. We also dive into the importance of finding community—both online and in-person—for support and encouragement. 

Follow Kendra and Suki @sukipwd
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Special thanks to Kyle Dine for permission to use his song The Doghouse for the podcast theme!
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Transcript

Speaker: 0:01

Welcome to the Don't Feed the Fear podcast, where we dive into the complex world of food allergy anxiety. I'm your host, Dr. Amanda Whitehouse, food allergy anxiety psychologist and food allergy mom. Whether you're dealing with allergies yourself or supporting someone who is, join us for an empathetic and informative journey toward food allergy calm and confidence..

0:22

Welcome back to Don't Feed The Fear. Today, I'm so excited to be joined by an incredible guest who brings a very special and adorable partner with her everywhere she goes. Kendra Williams is here to talk about life with her gluten detection dog Suki. Together they navigate life with celiac disease in a way that is empowering and eyeopening. We'll be talking about what it's like to live with Celiac, how her dog helps her stay safe. The pros and the challenges of having a gluten detection dog and the ways that she has found strength in community in the process.

Amanda Whitehouse: 0:52

Kendra, thank you so much for coming to talk to me here on Don't Feed the Fear about Your Life with Celiac and your Sweet Dog Suki.

Kendra Williams: 0:59

Well, thank you. It's great to be here, Amanda.

Amanda Whitehouse: 1:01

Yeah, I'm excited to talk to you. I, am new to Instagram, but yours is one of the first accounts that I found because obviously cuteness factor. But it's also so interesting watching, how different your life is managing, your celiac than the rest of us who have some kind of a food allergic, disease. Did your account grow really quickly once you started sharing about that?

Kendra Williams: 1:21

Yeah, I think, I mean, it started off where I started my account just to share about. My training process of training this gluten detection dog, and it was something fun to do during the lockdowns of the pandemic. So I started it in 2020, right after I got Suki and my gluten detection dog, and she was just a puppy, so I was sharing cute puppy photos and stuff like that. But then as it grew, like then I realized, oh, this is a bit more than just me having this little cute little dog account. It's really me connecting with people. Like me that are dealing with celiac disease. And so it did, you know, then it grew slow and steady. I mean, I think that's the good way to grow when you have organic followers. Like it wasn't this huge overnight. Um, so I've been doing it now for five years, so it's pretty consistently over time growing

Amanda Whitehouse: 2:18

Tell me about Portuguese water dogs. I don't know a lot about different breeds of dogs because we are allergic in my house.

Kendra Williams: 2:23

Oh well, Portuguese water dogs. Um, I don't necessarily recommend them to be gluten detection dogs or service dogs because they are a. Really smart, very high demand dog. So they require a bit more work. But they were bred to work the fishing boats in Portugal. They don't shed, they have a coat that grows. Continuously. So they require grooming, but because they would work independently where they would ferry nuts and buoys and mail between boats, fishing boats, they are bred to work very independently, which sometimes is a challenge in training for service work because you have to get them on board just like you do with a child, sometimes you get a little bit older kid, they're like, oh, just'cause I said, so that's not a reason. So you have to go, Hey, here's why we're doing this and here's why it's a good idea for you. So that's why I don't recommend her. They're, they're a fabulous breed, though. They don't shed, I also have allergies, she does not bother me, but, not everybody is, Is able to tolerate dogs. So she's, she's super smart and she's my second dog. The most famous Portuguese water dogs, um, were in the White House under the Obamas. So Bo was the, the first, the first dog, the first Portuguese water dog in the White House. And then their other dog, I forget what her name was, it was a girl like Sunny, maybe.

Amanda Whitehouse: 3:46

So how did you end up picking that breed after what you just described

Kendra Williams: 3:50

I had a Portuguese water dog before, so if you've had a Portuguese water dog, you get it. And they're kind of a special breed. So I, I was looking at getting a dog and was kind of researching breeds, and then I realized. Um, I think originally I was looking at maybe getting a standard poodle. So, so really good breeds would be like standard poodle lab, um, golden. Those tend to be like the most consistent service dog breeds. Um, and so I, I can't have shedding dogs, so I was like, maybe I'll get a standard poodle, but I thought if I'm getting that big of a dog, I should just get a Portuguese water dog. And because I love the breed and they're, they're really special to me. And that's how I decided to, to do it. Although I went about it completely wrong. It was more of a whim. And thankfully I knew enough about it. But now that having gone through service org training and making tons of mistakes, um, I don't want people to make those mistakes. So I put together some courses with a gluten detection trainer, um, that walk you through, like if you're thinking about it. Don't just do what I did and jump right in and go, let me get a dog and then figure the rest of the stuff out that is setting you up for failure. And it also might set you up for, some bad mistakes along the way. So we have a course that talks through like what breed is the right breed for you and based on what your needs are. Some people might have multiple tasks that they have to do. So like if you had, a mobility alert, a mobility support. Plus an allergen or or gluten detection dog. That would be one where you live, what type of family, your lifestyle, like can you have a sheddting dog or not? Are you willing to put up with grooming? We go through all that in the first course and the second course we go through. You know how to find a breeder, what breeders are, right? There's a lot of breeders out there that are doing it for the money, and they're promising things that are not true, and in a service dog environment, you want. The right characteristics. You want good health and those kind of things. If you're working with a breeder that really is a heritage breeder that's very concerned about that and is doing testing, and then they're also doing things with the puppies to get them, they're doing early cent introduction, early neurological stimulation, that's super important for service dog work. And then how to select within the litter, what's the right puppy. So we go through all that in the course, and then we have. Some other courses that go more in detail about the gluten detection process, but anybody that's thinking about getting a service dog, allergen or gluten detection. I highly recommend it before you do it. There are 30 minute videos with handbooks. Really, really good to let you go, okay, is this good for me and when can I do it? Because a lot of people go, well, I want it for my child. But my child is young and you know, but I want it when they're a teenager. Well, how can you plan for that and for getting a dog, the right dog and stuff like that? Sometimes it takes a year to two years, especially really good breeders. So I have to be thinking for the future, like, is that gonna work? Is that not gonna work for me? Um, and what that looks like.

Amanda Whitehouse: 7:14

Yeah, there's a lot to it all lining up in the right way,

Kendra Williams: 7:17

Yes.

Amanda Whitehouse: 7:18

as you said is not how you did it. Oh, I wanna ask about that. But first, while we're on the topic, can you tell people where they can find those courses?

Kendra Williams: 7:24

Yeah. Celiac service dogs.com.

Amanda Whitehouse: 7:27

Okay. Um, so you didn't do it that way. Was this your, like, instead of sourdough bread, because obviously you're have celiac, is that, was this your COVID

Kendra Williams: 7:36

it kind of was, well, I travel a lot for work and that was one of the issues for me when I,

Amanda Whitehouse: 7:42

I.

Kendra Williams: 7:42

uh, was diagnosed was like, how do I travel? And I, I figured out really good methods to travel, but you know, you'd go out to client dinners, you'd go places where you had no control over meals, and I would just sit there in fear. And not eating because you're there for work. You can't be incapacitated for days because you got gluten and it just, and then I would go out personally and I would get sick often, And my last meal before the lockdown, I went and met some friends for breakfast and I said, you know what? I'm not eating, but I'm gonna have tea. I'm gonna have tea, kombucha, and water. I got glutened. Don't know how, but I got glutened and, and you know, and it wasn't terrible. It was like cross contamination. But I mean, by the time I got home I was super bloated and I felt just terrible. And you know, I had joint aches the next day and I'm like, this is just wrong. So that was the triggering point of it. When everything shut down, I'm like, well, I'm not traveling so I can. Get a dog and I had a dog who was 16, so I knew he wasn't gonna be around that much longer. There's just so much going on at that point in life that I thought I can't deal with my dog dying and the world being so crazy there was just too many other things. But that was all the impetus. Well, I have time. I'm not traveling. My work was slow. And so I'm like, you know what? Now or never, I didn't realize, I mean, thankfully I was home for a long time, so, but at the point I didn't really realize how long it was. So that was in March and she was born March 27th. And then I went up and I got her May, May 31st, 2020. So, and she came home and she was just a little, a little girl, just a tiny, tiny, tiny baby. My other dog was a nine and a half pound bichon. And she was the same size as him, so she was little bitty, maybe a little smaller. So, and now she's a 50 pound girl.

Amanda Whitehouse: 9:54

So how long did it take then for her to be ready? You said it can be a year, two year

Kendra Williams: 10:00

it's a two year process to train a dog. There's a lot of people out there that. Are selling dogs that are finished at six months. They're taking your money. And I hear, I've heard it from a lot of those people that are heartbroken, they've spent 10,$15,000 and ended up with nothing. So that's, so, takes two years of the process and then you also wanna make sure the dog is fully matured. They need to go through all their fear periods because it's not just the gluten part of it or the allergen part of it. That's a huge part of it. And that does take time. And it's very different from like other scent work. So if you had a bomb detection or an agricultural detection, you know, the dogs at the airport. Right. They're sniffing for something that is stationary or you know, they, they get it and it's, and it's a single item and so they a bomb. And it's also the odors are stronger and they're multiple, right. So it's, it's, it's large quantities in general. Um, and for medical alert, like a diabetes or smelling low blood sugar. High blood sugar, that floats through the air very well. So it's. Easier for the dog to catch Gluten is very heavy, so it's really hard for them to capture. It doesn't really go as airborne as other scents like, like low blood sugar, you know, your body scent and

Amanda Whitehouse: 11:26

emitting from your whole body, I would assume too.

Kendra Williams: 11:29

The dogs have to know down to cross contact, which is trace amounts of gluten.

Amanda Whitehouse: 11:34

right?

Kendra Williams: 11:34

have to work not only identifying the scent, like in a large quantity all the way down to trace amounts, but mixed in with other things. So mixed in with plates of food mixed through packages, um, and, and on all those different areas. So that's, and, and, you know, liquids and so different mediums and then they need to know it. Not only at home, but in the grocery store, in, in the restaurant, and you know, wherever you are. And all that adds to the level of difficulty. So you have the, the scent part is a big part, and then you also have the public access part. So the dog has to be properly behaved and they have to know how to. Settle. So that's the other part too. A a gluten or an allergen detection. They work really short periods of time. If I'm going out to dinner, she's gonna check my plate for a minute. And then she's gotta be sleeping underneath the table

Amanda Whitehouse: 12:34

Mm-hmm.

Kendra Williams: 12:35

everything going around, including the stuff that's falling on the floor, the people walking by, you know, the people stepping on her ta, all that kind of stuff. So those are all pieces that you have to train for. Um, everything in between, you know, riding, public transport, riding in, in cars, all that kind of stuff. And the other part is you need a trainer that understands cross contact and stuff like that. And a lot of dog trainer, unless you have celiac disease or you have a food allergy, you don't get that. You don't understand it. And I have a video on, on our website in celiac Service doc, a big gal that worked with a trainer and the trainer was calling her to ask her what was gluten and what products contain gluten. It's a serious medical condition. So it's really important. It's not just a, Hey, I trained this dog to pick up the keys, which is incredibly important task. But if they don't get the keys to you on the first try, they can try a few more times. If your dog tells you, Hey, there's no gluten and there is gluten, and they're dogs, so they can make mistakes, I mean. They can make mistakes, but I have a, I have a very high level of trust in Suki and I understand her body language. And then I just have to be patient too, that are, there's gonna be times when I'm like, Hmm, I don't know about that. I'll put the plate aside and have her do something else and then have her check again.

Amanda Whitehouse: 14:03

What's her track record?

Kendra Williams: 14:04

For me eating, she does really well, she makes mistakes, but as far as when it counts. She doesn't, so I don't, I don't get gluten, you know, that doesn't mean that I won't. But she, she, she keeps me safe for sure. Now when we practice too, we have maintenance where we're doing stuff on the regular and there's times when I'm like, okay, he really didn't check that or you got that one wrong. So, so, but it's part, that's part of why we practice. And then I know, and then it keeps that scent also fresh in her nose.

Amanda Whitehouse: 14:36

Could you talk about what life was like before and how this has changed? Obviously you're not getting gluten as much and feeling better, but I'm sure there's so much more to it than that.

Kendra Williams: 14:46

Yeah. The biggest thing is a mental relief. So I did not realize until after I had trained her how much going to going out to eat. I. I had this, you know, feeling of anxiety sitting there looking at the plate going. Yeah. And most times I would, I remember like having a dialogue in my head, it's 50 50. If this is gonna make me sick, it's 50 50. If I'm not gonna be able to finish this evening, um, you know. Or that I'm gonna have to leave early, or I'm gonna spend, you know, time in the bathroom before I even make it home, or, you know, and then I'm gonna be laying in bed with chills and body aches and brain fog and I'm gonna be sick for two weeks. So that's, that was a huge deal. I did not realize the mental relief that she gives me. The all clear then I can. Heartily have this relief that I can eat it and actually enjoy what I'm eating and not sit there and worry. Um, the other part is, is I was fearful of a lot of things and I would choose not to even venture to eat things that might be, you know, technically, naturally. Naturally gluten free, but you'd go, oh, cross contact. And maybe, you know, I'll give you an example. Like Costco rotisserie chicken. I would never have bought Costco rotisserie chicken'cause I'm like, cross contact. That's gotta be a mess. She always clears it. And um, you know, and it, I've had no issues with it, but that would be something that I would've. A hundred percent avoided and now it's something I buy regularly and have never had an issue with it. Um, so things like that, but food also in, in restaurants and things like that, it also brought out to me, um, because I don't want that awkward embarrassment of, hey. She alerted to the food. And you have, I mean, I, you do have to deal with that. Um, that I need to up my game in terms of making sure that I'm advocating for good food. So safe food that I'm asking the questions at the restaurant. I think early in my diagnosis, so I was diagnosed in 2017, so I got her a few years after diagnosis. And I think a lot of people. Feel this way is that it's like, I don't wanna take up space. I don't want to be a bother.'cause it's awkward and we're not used to that. And um, I always encourage people, you have to take up space'cause your health is so important. I mean, if you had, uh, you know, a serious medical, you know, you're, you're bleeding from your arm, you're gonna say, Hey, I need help here.

Amanda Whitehouse: 17:37

Right.

Kendra Williams: 17:38

kind of thing, like we have a medical condition, we need to ask for what we need. Um, so, and that is, you know, making sure the food is safe, asking the questions, um, vetting places that I'm going to eat and not. Just going, okay, well I'll make do like, and sometimes you do have to make do, and, but in those instances that I also have a backup plan. So even with Suki, I'm gonna make sure that I have safe food with me, or I eat beforehand. I usually always will have some kind of snack with me just because. You never know if you're gonna get hungry or you know that you get an accident on the freeway and you need something. She's opened up a whole new world for me. Not only, you know, the food situation but that really true mental relief that I did not realize was going to be such a big part of it.

Amanda Whitehouse: 18:33

That's great. I like how you're talking about how was a part of it, but I think it's just time and experience too of growing into I have the right to have food that is safe, that doesn't make me sick. And on top of that, being a basic human right, I also like to remind people like you are paying them, you're giving

Kendra Williams: 18:49

Yes.

Amanda Whitehouse: 18:50

service. And we feel like we don't have a right to ask. But we're, we're purchasing it. We are, we're paying them for that. Um, and so, yeah, it, it's a good reminder to everyone, all of us who live some form of this life that we, we have a right for multiple reasons.

Kendra Williams: 19:05

Absolutely. And that's one of the big reasons I share on social media is because I want people that are working in restaurants, in food service, in, hotels that there is medical. Need for dietary restrictions. It's not a fad. It's not just for kicks. We need this for our health and wellbeing. Just like a diabetic would need insulin, right? A type one. Um, it's the exact same thing. We need this food is our medicine and having it messed up is a big deal. It's not just a preference. So I wanna share that, that kids growing up today. will have that confidence and that ability, and they won't have to fight all these battles. I think it's hard enough being diagnosed as an adult to fight the battles that, you know, to see kids having to deal with that. And it hurts my heart to have to fight those battles when they shouldn't have to. Having safe food should be just a, easy. Right. And it shouldn't be controversial. So that's one of the big things and I think. By advocating for it and telling people to share their stories. I hear from a lot of people, My cousin has celiac disease and it's not a big deal for her. It probably is. She just is too sad to say something. And the more that we share our stories with friends, with family, with people in the workplace, I mean, it's uncomfortable. But the more we do that, the more we're making a change for people to see the reality. Of dietary restrictions and these medical conditions like celiac disease, that, guess what? We need to take up space we're not just people that are being difficult.'cause if they see you as a real person, they're like, okay, uh, she's not one to be. Extreme. And she's not, she's not trying to be difficult, and that I think is really important. So that's one thing that I always encourage people to do because that's the only way we're gonna see change.

Amanda Whitehouse: 21:11

I agree. It's so telling of that person if they respond to you asking for safe food as if you are annoying or being dramatic or in any other negative way

Kendra Williams: 21:20

Yeah.

Amanda Whitehouse: 21:21

When it comes to food allergies or anything.

Kendra Williams: 21:23

There's plenty of stuff to worry about as a kid. That food should not be one of them.

Amanda Whitehouse: 21:28

Right. You touched on this earlier, when you do have to worry about food, whether it's because of, a medical situation or different reasons, It prevents you from whatever else you're supposed to be doing. So if you're at a work meeting, worried about if your food's safe, your brain is not a hundred percent dedicated to the pitch or the conversation you're supposed to be having or whatever it might be. And the same is true. I think of kids in school trying to learn and all they're worried about, and I hear it so much with my, therapy clients, they weren't paying attention to math. They were just wondering if their throat felt itchy or

Kendra Williams: 22:00

Yes.

Amanda Whitehouse: 22:00

gonna do it to them at lunch. You can't. Function in the ways you're supposed to when this is first and foremost.

Kendra Williams: 22:06

Exactly. Exactly. Yeah, being diagnosed as an adult. It's a huge mental load that I don't want, I, and I think we need to acknowledge that, that it is an, it is a mental load and, and even though I'm not gonna go into anaphylaxis. It's still going to significantly impact my life and does significantly impact my life, and there isn't just a carefree, Hey, I'm hungry. I was talking to a friend of mine yesterday and she was out somewhere and she's like, I'm starving. And I have to go home and cook my own food it's not like you can just, do a quick DoorDash. You need to make your food and it's ingredients and there are prepared foods, but that's not always convenient and you don't always have those things. If I'm out and about, sometimes my. Fastest food is okay. Well that gas station I know is gonna have some chips that I can eat or some popcorn. That's not a great meal, but sometimes that's the choice that you have to make.

Amanda Whitehouse: 23:10

As adults we have maybe a little bit more assertiveness skills or things like that. But I, I just wanna acknowledge too, being diagnosed with something like this as an adult in a different way is so challenging because you've lived your whole life for so long. Diet and lifestyle and conveniences and all the things you're talking about.

Kendra Williams: 23:28

Yeah, it was a major adjustment. It definitely was. And I think socially it's a huge adjustment, um, within your friend circles. I mean, I don't have the same friends. That I had before and those friendships are different because they knew me before and it's really hard. And I, and I hear this too from my, my audience on social media, is it, it's often the friends and the family. That it's too hard for them to reconcile this change and they can't understand that it is a lifelong thing. You used to eat that or We used to go there and, and there are some that adjust really well and they kind of go with it. I have a. A good friend of mine who's awesome, and she's like, okay, well we're gonna do this, but guess what? I'm gonna figure that out. Where we, where we're going. I will call and I will ask the questions and I'll know that it's safe. Or she'll call and she'll go, you know, Hey, We're gonna have a party, but the food over there is safe for you. And she eats gluten-free. So I know that she makes safe food, but you know, I have another friend is like, okay, I'm gonna bake this. But, um, I want Suki to check the ingredients to make sure they're safe before I make'em for you. That's special. Versus the other ones that are like, you know, we go out and I had, we had planned to go to one place, and then as we're driving there, like, no, let's go to this place instead. Oh, that, even with my gluten detection dog, it's still, it's like, oh my gosh, I didn't look at that menu and I don't know what they have. And. I might just be drinking water and there may not be an option for me at all, and it's gonna be really uncomfortable and more anxiety. So yeah, those pieces are really real obviously I have an advantage'cause I have this large community on social media and I've, you know, met people in person and. Developed really amazing friendships with people who get it, but I think surrounding yourself, whether it's in a support group or you know, locally through meetups and things like that, with people that get it, because this disease is very challenging and that, especially for somebody like me who was diagnosed late in life, I was diagnosed in my forties. There's other issues that I have in my body because of the late diagnosis. So there's aches and pains and you know, my body reacts weirdly to stuff and I didn't realize that all of that was a common I. Um, piece that other people have until I connected with other people with celiac disease that were in my same life stage that we can sit there and go, okay, yeah, this happened to me and I feel terrible. What, what, what should I do? What would you do here? Do you eat this and this causes this? You know? So it's really, really helpful to connect with people that understand. And, and then the other part is, is spending more time with people who, may not have celiac disease. But that get it and are willing to do stuff like the friends who are cooking for me and stuff like that, and the ones that don't, it's okay to do non-food things with them. Go for walks, go to the movies, you know, meet them somewhere, where you don't have to do things that are food related and that takes a lot of stress out of it, at least for me. Or if you do food related, have it be in within your control. Have them over to your house and cook something that is safe for you.

Amanda Whitehouse: 27:03

Yeah. Yeah. It's gotta be so validating though, a different kind of connection in the relationships where people know what you're living and how you're feeling. Feeling in your body.

Kendra Williams: 27:11

Amazing. Amazing. And, I do find that social media is a real equalizer where you are able to connect with people. So one of my closest friends with celiac disease, um, and she's a gluten detection trainer, so she's my partner in celiac service dogs. Um, so we just saw the need and we're like, we gotta do this. She lives in Minneapolis. Like I literally met her through social media and we've become good friends and, we're both single and, and in the same life stage. She has a gluten detection dog, obviously she's a gluten detection dog trainer. And, and that's fun. We just went on a celiac cruise recently and, we stopped in Victoria BC and met up with another friend. That I met through social media it's really unique that you can meet people this way and kind of develop connections that way too. So I don't ever wanna minimize that I've been in online support groups too, to connect with people and, just go, oh, hey, we have a lot in common. Let's talk some more and maybe if we're, I'm in your, your city or whatnot. And when I travel, I start now traveling to go to cities where I can check out gluten-free places. And kind of make that the center point of my trip,

Amanda Whitehouse: 28:28

I talk all the time on my show. There's nothing that our nervous systems, like better than safety with connection through other people, and then if you can add the food in, that's, that's just so regulating, it's so important for us.

Kendra Williams: 28:39

Absolutely.

Amanda Whitehouse: 28:40

I'm curious with the time we have left, What are some of the biggest hurdles that still need to be changed or addressed?

Kendra Williams: 28:47

Um, I think for, so for gluten detection dogs, I think awareness and understanding, one of my challenges with service dogs is just, you know. A public access and things like that. Everybody bringing their pets into spaces where they're not trained to be, that causes a lot of issues for me as a service dog handler for celiac disease. Um, I think the biggest thing is just better knowledge and understanding of the importance of safe food that you know, that restaurants that make adaptations to have. A way to cook things separately, to cook it. Safety, have, have more consistent, um, for packaged foods. Labeling, gluten is not labeled as an allergen in the United States, and that is a major, major pain point for me. Wheat is labeled because wheat is an allergen, but, you know, gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, and there are a lot of derivatives, especially of barley. So barley malt, yeast extract, things like that, it's like a scavenger hunt Every time you read a label and in things that you wouldn't imagine are in it. Having gluten labeled would make our lives so much easier.

Amanda Whitehouse: 30:05

It's not for everybody, but for those who are curious, who is right for to consider having a gluten detection dog?

Kendra Williams: 30:13

I think if you have. Ongoing symptoms and you're getting glutened regularly, your TT G levels are out of control. You have refractory celiac disease would be one. Those would be the area where I would really consider it, but you also have to have the time and the commitment to a dog. The training is a two year process, you're not training 24 7, do you have time for the dog? Do you have time for, not only their mental stimulation, so the training, the exercise, she gets walked three times a day. We play ball for an hour every day. If you don't have time for that, then you need to consider that, but if it's something where you are having issues. If you have that stress, the high level of anxiety related to that would would be it. Um, it's not easy. I mean, having a dog is, you know, it's having a dog, And it's not just. The dog, you know, the work at home like a pet dog. But taking a dog to a grocery store does add complications. And frankly, anymore, I'm not taking her to the grocery store'cause it's stressful for me. Like it's stressful enough to grocery shop. But, um, people bringing their pets in causes anxiety because. Then she could be attacked because that's happens. And then you have people bothering you too. Like, oh, there was kissy noises at her and you're so cute people petting her. Well, then I have to worry about them and not her. And that's distracting to her. So she's also less accurate, she's trained to ignore them, but that's really hard to ignore people that are like, hi, cute dog. And that are petting you, you, it is like bringing. A small child, like a 2-year-old with you all the time, sometimes better behaved than some two year olds. But, um, but it's work so that you have to understand that too.

Amanda Whitehouse: 32:12

Yeah, so, and let's let that serve as a reminder to everybody who's listening. If you see any sort of service dog, any type of working dog. The appropriate thing to do and the most helpful thing is to ignore, right?

Kendra Williams: 32:25

Yes, ignore the, the dog. I mean, if you're curious, you can address the questions to the owner, but I especially like to point it out because, so Suki. Isn't working all the time like she's in the grocery store, but if she's only working, like doing something important for me, if she's sniffing the food. But there are seizure dogs, there are cardiac alert dogs out there, and those dogs are sniffing all the time. And if they miss an alert, if a cardiac alert or seizure alert dog misses an alert because somebody distracted them, that could mean that person is significantly harmed. Like they could fall and, and have a concussion and, you know, have injuries versus that dog alerts that gives them, you know, a window to get themselves safely on the floor so that they're not going to harm themselves. But it happens all the time. It happens all the time. Yeah. Don't, don't bring your dog. Into places as well where service dogs, where service dogs only, no matter how cute your dog is, because they're not trained for that.

Amanda Whitehouse: 33:30

Right, right. It's unsafe for all of the dogs and the humans

Kendra Williams: 33:32

Yeah.

Amanda Whitehouse: 33:33

I would assume.

Kendra Williams: 33:34

Yes, yes.

Amanda Whitehouse: 33:37

What didn't we get to? Did we miss anything important?

Kendra Williams: 33:40

It's a super rewarding process and I would not change it for the world. So I definitely think if people are interested or thinking that might be something for them to train a gluten detection or an allergen detection dog, definitely do your research. Um, our website, celiac service dogs.com, we have free resources on there as well. The courses are very. inexpensive, but that will help you. Be equipped knowing ahead of time will make you feel more empowered that you aren't going to be led astray by something that a trainer tells you or that a breeder tells you, or you know, you will know what's right for you.'cause your health is important. If you start right, you're going to have confidence going through the process, you'll be in a better spot with you and your dog. It's meant to be fun. That's the thing. It's, it's fun for the dogs. I mean they're working, but it's a game to Suki and it's super fun. If I got how her gluten jar, she'd be like jumping up and down, like running over. Excited to do it. So it's fun for them. We want it to be fun for you, and we want you to start with the right thing because it's not only work, it's help, but it's a partnership where you want to get your dogs, working and then you feel good going forward, so, and you have that security that you're eating safely.

Amanda Whitehouse: 35:02

Yeah. Well thank you for sharing that with everyone. I will put it again in the notes, but Tell people where they can follow you if they don't already.

Kendra Williams: 35:08

It's at Suki, SUKI. PWD for Portuguese. Water dog all over. So Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, you name it, it's Suki, PWD.

Amanda Whitehouse: 35:21

They can just follow you and live vicariously like I get to

Kendra Williams: 35:24

Absolutely just follow along and, and I share lots about living gluten-free with a gluten detection dog. So I have cute Suki doing all her things, but then I share facts and I also share lots of stuff. For people than to educate their friends or family members and things like that.'cause sometimes it's easier to share something that somebody else has prepared to go, Hey, here, this is important. If you have celiac disease, food allergies, definitely follow along and hopefully you'll get some good things and let me know what you wanna see more of. I love that too.

Amanda Whitehouse: 35:56

Perfect. Thank you so much for sharing everything you do on social media and for joining me on this show. I love hearing about

Kendra Williams: 36:02

Awesome. Thank you so much, Amanda. It's been a pleasure.

36:05

I hope you found today's conversation as fascinating as I did. Living with Celiac requires constant vigilance and tools like gluten detection dogs can make so much difference in safety and peace of mind. I love hearing about the different and creative tools that people come up with for managing their own medical needs. Here are three action steps you can take after listening today. Number one, follow Kendra and Suki to learn more about what life with a gluten detection dog looks like day to day. She's at Suki PWD or S-U-K-I-P-W-D. Number two, explore other community resources online Create a community that's validating and that's supportive, and has the experience necessary to give you ideas and tips from their own lives that might be helpful for you. It'll help you feel so much less alone. There are amazing celiac forums, support groups, social media spaces where you can find encouragement and connection. And number three, check out in-person communities or events. One that's coming up is the Wicked Gluten-Free Expo in Fitchburg, Massachusetts on September 20th. I'll be there speaking about the mental health aspects of living with Celiac. And living a gluten-free lifestyle and the role of the nervous system and how to manage it. If you're nearby, I would love to meet you there. the content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions about your own medical experience or mental health needs, please consult a professional. I'm Dr. Amanda Whitehouse. Thanks for joining me. And until we chat again, remember don't feed the fear.