Service Animals

This presentation depicts the long, difficult, tedious journey Mr. Rossetti has encountered in his quest toward happiness, peace, tranquility and continued recovery. The speaker will share his life long experiences having Bipolar illness. He will attempt to help others with the disability and their loved ones to understand challenges, symptoms and signs of this invisible disability. He will also attempt to recommend potential avenues one may consider in receiving hope, help and support.

The speaker’s experience utilizing his dog, Woodby in his recovery will be shared and explained. A first hand account in his journey developing the animals trust, companionship, support, personal training and relationships with he and others will be explored. Lastly, Mr. Rossetti will spend a considerable amount of time explaining how his dog gets him through the difficult day to day challenges.

The following outlines the presentation:

• My story
• History of mental illness
• What is Bipolar Illness?
• A person with the illness
• What is a service dog?
• How pets and service dogs differ
• How does a service dog affect your moods?
• Psychiatric service dogs and their involvement
• How your service dog can help you through the tough times
• Finding the right companion
• Acquiring a service dog
• ADA- Justice Department
• Laws pertaining to service dogs
• Etiquette
• Training your dog for your needs
• The three essential training components for a service dog
• What tasks can a Psychiatric service dog perform for you?
• Keeping your dog healthy.

About Ron Rossetti

Ron Rossetti received an academic scholarship and graduated in 1973, summa cum laude, from Suffolk University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and is a lifetime member of Phi Alpha Tau Fraternity. Graduate studies earned him an MBA from Westbrook University and was the marketing developer of the graduate academic program in rehabilitation for animals:  School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee Outreach Program, 2001. He served in the US Army as a drill sergeant, during the Vietnam campaign, and is a member of the American Legion.  Ron volunteers his time playing taps along side the Army Military Honor Guard at Veterans cemeteries in the states of Maine and Florida.  Drawing on 40 years of business acumen, he volunteers as a counselor for SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), a National Organization and Division of the Small Business Administration committed to impart his experience advising small businesspeople in the local community. He is a member of Toastmasters International, a non-profit educational organization with a purpose of promoting communication, public speaking, and leadership skills.  He sat on the national board of directors for DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance), on the nominating committee and was a member at large on the executive committee of the national board.  He is co-founder of the DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance) support group serving the greater Hampstead, NH area and past President of the NH – DBSA state organization. He has published many articles on bipolar illness and other mental illnesses which can be found under publications.  In addition, he served on the educational committee of NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) in NH.

Rossetti is the founder and former CEO of Northeast Seminars ( neseminars.com ), the leader in entrepreneurial continuing education throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil.  By the mid 1980’s, Ron developed Northeast Seminars into a multi-million-dollar company, training practitioners in emerging techniques and technologies through seminars and via the Internet.  Additionally, he is past CEO of Three Brothers Enterprises, a manufacturer and distributor of medical dental equipment.

Rossetti is focusing his efforts as founder and CEO of The International Alliance for Mental Health (IAMH), determined to make a difference for those who share his diagnosis of bipolar disorder and for those whose lives are touched by other mental illnesses.