Click here to download the informational packet.

This year the annual PSDS Gathering will be held near Monterey, CA at the Asilomar Conference Grounds at http://www.visitasilomar.com/.

At this gathering, you will stay at the Asilomar Conference Grounds and pay for your own lodging (food is included in the price of lodging) and transportation to the site. There will be a scholarship fund created to help handlers who would otherwise be unable to attend due to very low income. Additionally, if you want to share rooms, the hotel will facilitate this with a form you can fill out when you register for your room—all this is explained below.

Frequently Asked Questions:

“When and where is the event?”
Gathering activities will be scheduled from July 6-10 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds http://www.visitasilomar.com/ and at nearby museums and attractions in Pacific Grove and Monterey.

“How do I get to Asilomar?”
Here is a link that includes maps, public transportation and driving directions http://www.visitasilomar.com/asilomar-conference-center-directions.aspx.

The Monterey Peninsula Airport (MRY) is just 8 miles from Asilomar. The Monterey-Salinas Transit bus system stops at the Monterey airport. The buses are clean and wheelchair accessible. The fare to Asilomar is $1.75 one way, and the total trip is about 30 minutes. Take any number Monterey-bound bus. Ask for a transfer when you board. Transfers are free. Tell the driver to announce the Monterey Transit Center, which is where you will disembark and transfer to the #1 Asilomar bus. There is rarely more than a 5-minute wait at the transfer point. The #1 bus will let you off at the front gate to the Asilomar Conference Grounds. Taxicabs are available at the Monterey Airport for transfer to Asilomar. Fares are $20 - $25 one-way.

Mineta San Jose International (SJC) airport is 80 miles to the North of Asilomar. The airport is served by the Monterey Airbus, http://www.montereyairbus.com, an airport shuttle service that can bring travelers right to Asilomar’s door. Reservations are required for the Monterey Airbus. The online price is $35 each way.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 110 miles to the North. This airport is also served by the Monterey Airbus, http://www.montereyairbus.com, an airport shuttle service that can bring travelers right to Asilomar’s door. Reservations are required for the Monterey Airbus. The online price is $40 each way.

“How can I reserve a room and register?”
In order to attend you must 1) register via our registration site http://www.regonline.com/PSDSgathering2012 ; 2) reserve your lodging space through Asilomar using the following form: http://www.psychdog.org/attach/PSYCHIATRIC_SERVICE_DOG_SOCIETY_51A2IG.pdf. One form must be filled out and submitted per person. There are rooms available that have 1-3 beds, so if you wish to share a room and split the cost it will be more affordable. You may pick your own roommate or Asilomar can facilitate this process. You must pay for the room through Asilomar and in advance.

“Do I need to bring my own food?”
Outside food is not permitted at Asilomar. Food is included with the price of the room. We will have our own dining room so we can eat as a community for each meal. Three meals of fresh local and mostly organic foods will be provided each day and a beverage break in the afternoon. It is not an option to separate the meals from the cost of lodging.

“How much will this cost?”
PSDS Conference Registration Fees for the event will be $50 for paid members of PSDS, $75 for non paid members of PSDS (see http://www.psychdog.org/membership_benefits.html for more information).

Those who attend this gathering must stay at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. You can register for rooms using the following form: http://www.psychdog.org/attach/PSYCHIATRIC_SERVICE_DOG_SOCIETY_51A2IG.pdf The total group rates for the Asilomar Conference Grounds for the gathering are as follows:

$929.20 single occupancy four nights
$607.12 per person double occupancy four nights (two people per room, each pays this amount)
$482.96 per person triple occupancy four nights (three people per room, each pays this amount, limited availability)

This includes three meals per day, as well as the afternoon beverage break.

Due to the fact that this is a conference center, attendees are required to stay at this hotel. Please note that we have reserved standard rooms instead of the cheaper historic rooms, which have walls so thin you can hear people talking in the room next door.

“Do I need to rent a car to get around?”
No. You can walk or take the bus to downtown Pacific Grove or Monterey. It’s about a 45 minute walk to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Cannery Row or a 30 minute bus ride.

“What types of activities will occur at the Gathering?”
We have numerous discussion groups and workshop presentations scheduled throughout each day along with guided morning beach walks, art & craft classes, etc. We will take a field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium that will cost disabled participants $19.95. We will offer Canine Good Citizen tests ($10) and Service Dog Public Access Tests ($25) this year. Sign ups for these tests will take place during the Gathering. Please bring cash. There will be time to walk on the beach, time to chat with friends and make new ones, sight see around Monterey, and even just watch the sunset. Here’s a link to points of interest in the Monterey area: http://www.visitasilomar.com/vacation-attractions.aspx The gathering informational packet will be posted to our website soon and will contain a complete schedule of events.

“Is the event open to the public?”
This event is open to all PSDS listserv members including members of the PSDS veterans listserv and the PSDS clinicians listserv. It is also open to anyone who is supportive of the PSD concept. If you have any questions, please contact our Chief Event Planner Veronica Morris, Ph.D. by email to inquire: veronica.m.psds@gmail.com.

“Can I bring my child(ren)?”
This is not a family event. The gathering is for adult handlers of psychiatric service dogs (PSD) and psychiatric service dogs in training (PSDIT), and the activities will be geared towards adults. Minors with PSDs or PSDITs are welcome to attend with a parent, but please keep in mind the gathering is a chance for people to speak freely about their mental illnesses and this may include discussions of self- injury, abuse, nightmares and flashbacks. It is up to each parent to ensure their child is either OK with these discussions, or to remove the child from these discussions. If you have any questions, please contact our Chief Event Planner Veronica Morris, Ph.D. by email: veronica.m.psds@gmail.com.

“What is the behavior standard?”
This is a gathering for handlers with service dogs and service dogs in training. As such, we expect that all dogs in attendance will be friendly with other dogs and people. Dogs displaying aggressive behavior will be asked to leave the conference grounds.

When deciding if this gathering is appropriate for you and your dog to attend, look over the basic behavior standards of the Canine Good Citizen test: http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/training_testing.cfm If your dog is unable to do one or more things on this test, or has been known to be uncomfortable around other dogs or people, then, this gathering may not be appropriate for your dog.

Before embarking on this trip, it would be wise to ensure that your dog is comfortable in the following situations: traveling on public transit, walking in a mall or crowded store, visiting restaurants, being in close quarters with other dogs and people, etc. If you have two service dogs, or a service dog and a SDIT, be aware that you will not be allowed to leave any dog tethered or unattended, even in your hotel room. You must be able to handle both dogs safely yourself, or bring a human helper who can handle one of the dogs for you at the event.

When you are around other service dogs, keep your dog within 2 feet of you, and keep at least 2 feet between dogs at all times unless given permission. Be sure to ask first before you or your dog greets another team. This is an on-leash gathering, and dogs should never be left unattended at the activities. It is the job of the handler to ensure their dog is not invading another dog’s space. There is a beach across the street from the conference facility where your dog can be off duty to play.

Please be prepared to clean up after your dog. Bring poop bags and products to ensure that we leave the facility in the same condition that we found it.

We are representing PSDS and all other service dogs by our behavior in public at this event, so it is important that we all abide these behavior standards. There will be a professional trainer on site to talk with if you are having any issues upholding these standards.

“Is there internet service?”
Yes, the hotel has free wireless internet in all the guest rooms. There are no televisions in the facility.

“Is the Gathering wheelchair accessible?”
Yes - please note that you need to register for an accessible room in the registration. Asilomar specifically states that its facilities are accessible to all. http://www.visitasilomar.com/discover/accessibility-.aspx The hotel has a jitney (golf cart) to transport people who need assistance across the conference grounds. There is also a beach wheelchair available for loan (free of charge).

If you need to rent a mobility scooter for the conference, the company that supplies the area is Scootaround: http://www.scootaround.com/. You should make reservations with this company on your own.

“Do you have any tips for flying?”
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1056.shtm The above link is the TSA’s informational page on flying with service animals.

Service dog equipment is considered medical equipment like a CPAP, oxygen, or a wheelchair. Pack all of your SD's gear and supplies into a separate bag from your own things. When you arrive at the airport tell them right away which bag is for the items related to your Service Dog. Explain to them that since the Service Dog is medically necessary, therefore, so is the dog’s equipment. You should not have trouble with this, however, if you do, ask to speak to a Complaint Resolution Officer (CRO) or supervisor. Service Dog equipment includes a crate, coats, extra vest, bed or mats, toys, leashes, bowls, and another other supplies directly related to your service dog. If you are able to fit your items in a small bag, the bag may be carried on the aircraft with you and won't count toward your total number of carry-on bags. If not, you can check the bag(s) and these items will not count toward your checked baggage total. Nor should there be an extra charge for these items.

One recommendation is to put enough dog food for one day, your medications, a couple of toys, an extra leash, and clean-up supplies into a small bag to be carried on board with you. This way if something happens to your luggage both you and your dog will have what you need to get by for a day or two.

If you have additional information you would like to see on this list, please email veronica.m.psds@gmail.com.

© 2012 Psychiatric Service Dog Society
Disclaimer: Material on this website is provided for educational purposes only.
Consult your own physician regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with
respect to your symptoms or medical condition.