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Medical Question

Submitted by Lee P. on Thu, 6/4/2015 at 2:14pm

Good afternoon everyone. Me and my girlfriend are hoping to participate in an event soon. I just wanted to ask if there would be any issue with my girlfriend's medical alert dog? The dog is used to alert for epilepsy and her heart condition and has all her shots and certifications as a medical alert dog. I can assure that the dog will remain on a leash at all times and will more than likely be kept in the cabin during play.  

Submitted by Marloff on Thu, 6/4/2015 at 2:40pm

This question should be directed to Thad. I would watch chat for his name and peruse the site, learning lore and game play. Some players do get flagged orange (I believe that to be the color) for being in-play without the combat and heavy long term exertion. Not sure how her dog would feel about monsters hitting her with sticks. I myself have only been to three events and have little more to offer.
So, wait to find Thad lurking in the chat bar. He will likely see this post and respond to you directly soon.
Hope you can find a way to make it happen,
Marloff Thistru

Submitted by Jen (She/Her) on Thu, 6/4/2015 at 3:40pm

The park policy about pets is that they are not allowed in group camps, but I think (legally) they must be allowed as service dogs. I'm with Marloff, though. I don't think the dog would be okay with our hours nor that were simulating combat.

Submitted by Billy P. on Thu, 6/4/2015 at 3:51pm

There should be little issue with your Girlfriend having her dog around. If the dog is important to her health, we might prefer that the dog was with her instead of in the cabin. However, this is a very active activity and there will be alot going on around that may or may not distract your service dog. If you are in play with the service dog with you, then you will have to stand aside when combat happens to keep tripping down and to keep people from accidently stepping on your service dog. So just keep this in mind if/when you participate.
If you feel you can keep the dog in the cabin, please remember that it will be in a building with no ac in the summer heat and to plan to accomodate accordingly for your dogs safety.
Depending on the severity of your girfriends medical problems, she may need to be orange banded, AKA in play but not allowed to be in combat. But if she has no problems that can be excacerbated by running, strenuous activity, and high heat then she should be able to still be in combat. When your girlfriend is with her service dog, she will have to be Orange banded and out of comabt for, again, safety of her dog and the other players.
Also, please be sure to bring all medications she may need and to document everything she is taking and any medical problems on the Medical Information Form when signing up for your first event. If there is anything that we need to know concerning her safety or anything that is needed to be done in an emergency situation, please be sure to both document it and let Mark Shell, myself, or anybody on the Medical Team know.
If you have ANY questions, please shoot either myself (KingNasher) or Mark Shell, head of the Medical Staff (Shell), a message and we'll do our best to answer you. Also, Welcome to Orn!
-Billy
 

Submitted by Mark S. on Thu, 6/4/2015 at 5:40pm

Billy wrapped up most of the comments that would regard the service dog well.  Also I think that park policy states that dogs must be on a leash and supervised at all times.  Combat with the dog will definately be a no-go, with orange headbanding being the best case scenario.  I would also think it preferable that the service dog be around to fulfill their duty, since the park is so spread out.
As for the medical concerns themselves, I am hesitant to clear you for play.  Our medical capacities are for sports injuries and overexertion.  The sites we play on are always the furthest two sites from the entrance to the park, and if a medical emergency happened, the response time would be high for professional medical help to arrive.  This is compounded at nighttime, when the rangers would have to coordinate to open both the gates to allow people in or out.  The main litmus test I usually ask people is whether they would be cleared by a doctor to play any organized sport, such as high school athletics or the like.  If the answer is no, then I usually tell people that medically it would be difficult for them to Larp here at Orn, as it is a combat intensive system.  Any further questions or concerns would definately need to be cleared up with ownership, as they have the final say in all matters dealing with Logistics, and Site restrictions, and whether the insurance policy encompasses any situation.