38 replies to this topic

[Apparelyzed]

As Assistance Dogs are becoming more popular, dogs which help disabled people in their everyday activities give not only practical help, but companionship.

An assistance dog is a dog trained to aid or assist a person with a disability. Many assistance dogs are trained by a specific organisation, while other dogs are trained by their handler (sometimes with the help of a professional trainer).

I thought it might be good to start a thread showing resources for those looking for Assistance Dogs, otherwise known as Dogs for the Disabled.


Assistance Dogs of America, Inc: http://www.adai.org

Assistance Dogs International, Inc: http://www.assistanc...ernational.org/

Canine Partners: http://www.caninepartners.co.uk/

Disability Assistance Dogs: http://www.support-dogs.org.uk/

Dogs for the Disabled: http://www.dogsforthedisabled.org/

Feel free to add to the above resource list, and discuss how you get on with your Assistance Dog.

Regards

Simon.

Meta: Support Dogs Assistance Dogs Dogs For The Disabled Service Dogs

[Ratticis]

I want a helper monkey!

[Anna16]

I met my pup on my 12th birthday. Shes a Golden Retriever. I "bought" (I really hate saying that I "bought" her, because she means more to me than just some item, shes an amazing dog who I loooove so much) her to be trained as a service dog. I didn't want to send her away, so we trained her ourselves. Even bought one of those vests for her to wear. For some reason, we never got her legally certified. But now I never take her out with me (like the mall or to the movies. She is spoiled though and does go on a lot of walks, trips to the park, and to Petsmart to see all of her doggy friends), but its still nice to have a dog around the house who knows a lot of commands! :]

There are a lot of good books out there on training your own dog. In my opinion, you should adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group and train them. If I ever want/need a service dog when I am older, I know that I am doing that. There are way too many dogs who need homes, and there are way too many breeders out there who aren't doing enough research and are just money hungry. Also, self training your dog is cheaper, and it creates a great bond. It isn't too difficult either. I have 5 dogs and all of them know at least the basics. My golden & my mixed were quick learners, so teaching them wasn't hard. Always use positive reinforcement! No yelling or hitting! And to make sure you have your furry friend for a looong time, feed them high quality food and make sure you brush their teeth.

Can you tell I love dogs/training? Lol.

[mellowgator]

i have had a service dog since 1996. i am now on my 2nd dog. i am a dog kind of girl and it's wonderful having such a well trained loveable dog at my side at all times. when it go out it's much like being a rock star. people definately notice us. when i went to aspen with her i met kevin costner and david brenner. they loved my dog. it's been a great experience. i often speak with groups about service dogs and i enjoy showing off her skills. she pulls my w-c and retrieves items that i drop. i got my dog free of costs from cci. i just got my new dog in august and couldn't be happier with her.

[wheelywendy]

Dogaid in the uk are now also a registered part of assistance dog uk



Dog Aid, a charity that provides disabled dog owners with access to specialist training to help them train their dog in both basic and specialist tasks to help assist them, day to day.

Unlike other assistance dog organisations, Dog Aid does not supply dogs, but rather trains existing dogs to be more obedient and perform tasks for their owners. If a dog has the right temperament and enough training is undertaken, then dog and owner can be assessed for full Assistance status. This allows the owner to take their dog to place where pet dogs are usually prohibited.

The standards required of an assistance dog are high and both the owner and the animal are put through their paces. The owner must demonstrate their consideration and control of the dog and their thought for other people. The dog must demonstrate its ability to respond to the commands given and its reaction to differing circumstances and situations.

Any prospective assistance dog needs to display an excellent temperament and behaviour at all times, to maintain the good name of all assistance dogs and organisations throughout the country.

Dog Aid is an entirely voluntary charity and relies on the support of the public and organisations to fund its important work. If you are interested in supporting the charity with a donation or an offer of help, then please visit the Dog Aid website for more details: www.dogaid.org.uk.

my dog was trained through dogaid, and has given me back my independence, i no longer have to rely on others to fetch and carry, i can even do the shopping knowing he'll carry a bag to the car for me, he helps me to clean my rabbits out by bringing me the buckets, brushes dustpans etc and dragging the full bucket to the bin, he fetches and carries the hay straw rabbit food etc enabling me to be independent in caring for them, he even rounds them up into their cages at the end of the day if needed (they have free run of the garden in the daytime),
he will fetch the phone, remote control, keys etc, retrieve dropped items etc etc, he unloads and loads the washing machine, fetches a blanket if needed in the evening, fetches a can from the fridge (coke of course!!) and his biggest job is to alert me to an impending asthma attack, purely through his allerting i've been able to come off injections and manage my asthma by inhalers and nebulisers and have completly cut out the need to call ambulances and be hospitalised as he gives me sufficient warning to take extra meds to prevent a severe attack, having an assistance dog has given me independence but also given me control of my life, and i'm once again the happy chatty outgoing person i was before my accident and no longer the person in a chair that wants to hide from the world or that wishes the world would stop and let me get off!

Edited by wheelywendy, 18 March 2010 - 02:20 PM.

[Tetracyclone]

Wendy,
I love hearing about your dog.

[Texas Angel Ang]

I have wanted a service dog FOREVER. I was told since I had other dogs that I didn't "qualify" but that was 14 years ago... I'm going to check this out!

Loved all the stories about your dogs!

[mellowgator]

I have wanted a service dog FOREVER. I was told since I had other dogs that I didn't "qualify" but that was 14 years ago... I'm going to check this out!

Loved all the stories about your dogs!

texas angel,

i have another dog as well . what does that have to do with anything? i wonder which organization you spoke with.

[Texas Angel Ang]

At the time, they told me that having other dogs around would distract them from doing their "job". Again keep in mind this was around 14 years ago.

PS did you get my PM?

[mellowgator]

when i first applied for my dog, i was told that my other dog would have to be out ot the house for a couple of weeks when the new dog came home. however, it wasn't mentioned again and was never an issue.

yes i got your pm. it's too bad about the expo and unless you have a good reason you shouldn't visit fl in summer it's brutal!

[wheelywendy]

I have wanted a service dog FOREVER. I was told since I had other dogs that I didn't "qualify" but that was 14 years ago... I'm going to check this out!

Loved all the stories about your dogs!

i have two other dogs but there wasnt any issue with me having an assistance dog, i'm in the uk so could be different rules but its probably worth you looking into it again things could well have changed in your area by now. - good luck

Edited by wheelywendy, 19 March 2010 - 10:39 AM.

[edlee]

There's a question that's been nagging at me whenever the topic of service dogs is brought up.

How much "need" do you need to be in, before your pet gets changed to a service dog? Now, before you all jump on me,, I am aware of the many things a PROPERLY trained animal can help with,, but doesn't it matter how much help you need,, before you bring the dog into the mall,, the church,, the restaurant, with you.

I love animals, and the job they do as service animals is amazing,, which is why I have no respect for people who try to pass off their pets,, no matter how well trained,, as service animals. It's like parking placards,, when everyone has one, nobody knows/cares why. My fear is that, like the placards, service animals will be made available to the obese, as well. After all,, they can't pick up what they drop, either.
ed

[mellowgator]

There's a question that's been nagging at me whenever the topic of service dogs is brought up.

How much "need" do you need to be in, before your pet gets changed to a service dog? Now, before you all jump on me,, I am aware of the many things a PROPERLY trained animal can help with,, but doesn't it matter how much help you need,, before you bring the dog into the mall,, the church,, the restaurant, with you.

I love animals, and the job they do as service animals is amazing,, which is why I have no respect for people who try to pass off their pets,, no matter how well trained,, as service animals. It's like parking placards,, when everyone has one, nobody knows/cares why. My fear is that, like the placards, service animals will be made available to the obese, as well. After all,, they can't pick up what they drop, either.
ed

man there's a dog for everything nowadays. i spoke with a woman on this site who's dog helps her with sleep apena and she takes her dog everywhere. she also told me her dog doesn't like other dogs. wtf! she's fine as long as they don't run into another working dog. i love it that dogs can be used to improve someones quality of life. but the dog has to be well trained to go in public. if one dog hurts someone or another dog it's going to make service dogs everywhere look bad. so a well trained dog is a must.

[edlee]

I think it needs to more than better training,, there should be some limits placed. If all you animal is going to do for you when you go out, is keep you company and pick up what you drop,, leave it at home.

That example of the woman with a sleep disorder being able to take her dog shopping with her is not the worst we are going to see in the near future, if those of us with legitimate needs don't start the curbing process, now. Those who now have these animals must be the ones to speak. Anyone else will just be shouted down by the PC police.

Those of you who have these animals,,, how often do you take them out with you when you KNOW your need is minimal or even nonexistant? If it's just to pick things up, and open doors,, I'm afraid I don't buy it.

Don't get me wrong,, if something is really needed, it's good,, if not, it's an affectation,,, and you're going to find it counterproductive in the long run.

But, what do I know??
ed

[mellowgator]

ed, my dog pulls my w-c and as a quad i drop everything and really need my dog to retrieve what i drop. i am not just taking her around for that warm and fuzzy feeling. she actually pulls my shoppin cart and retrieves items off the shelf at the grocery store. my independence counts on my dog. i dont' know why you don't think retrieving items and opening door isnt' a good reason to take the dog out. but opinions are like ass holes. every one has one.

cheers,

mellowgator

[S&W Winger]

Wow, the woman with the service dog for sleep apnea sounds almost like me...except my service dog is certified for several purposes (sleep apnea was the initial practical purpose) and she just LOVES other dogs as well as people...though when I do receive my large service dog, she will surely be jealous and need some time to adjust...

I'm wondering why edlee has his panties in such a knot over folks taking their dogs everywhere...yep, my Yorkie goes EVERYWHERE with me: planes, boats, restaurants, museums, the doctors', National Parks...she's even been to Carlsbad Caverns...you get the pic...though she is hardly an affectation or even a decoration (mostly staying inside her travel bag out and about) as she, along with other of her type of service animal, lowers blood pressure, helps maintain metabolism, retrieves small items, etc., etc....but I digress, as I have no real reason to post here or to justify her coming along for the ride other than to express my complete and utter disagreement with edlee's post above: as in wtf business is it of his who brings their dog where??

This thread was obviously started as a positive resource for folks in need of a service animal...probably was not meant to be a forum for negative debate over animals out in public..

BTW, as most people are aware, in many counties, dogs are more than welcome anywhere...seems that if some people have a problem with dogs, maybe THOSE PEOPLE should STAY home...



Oh, and Simon, thank you for posting the resources for dogs!

Edited by S&W Winger, 21 March 2010 - 07:24 PM.

[mellowgator]

s & w winger, i apologize for my post referring to the sleep apenea dog being unfriendly towards other dogs. sorry! i know your yorkie is a certifiable sweetie and is always the perfect angel.

Edited by mellowgator, 21 March 2010 - 09:05 PM.

[S&W Winger]

s & w winger, i apologize for my post referring to the sleep apenea dog being unfriendly towards other dogs. sorry! i know your yorkie is a certifiable sweetie and is always the perfect angel.

No need for YOU to apologize for ANYTHING!! Sorry if you perceived my post as aimed at your's, as you stated nothing untoward at all. Oh, and my Kali is actually far from being an angel! but I wouldn't want her any other way!



Looks like a good service thread has been and maybe we should continue with positive useful posts here...maybe if someone has an issue regarding dogs, THAT person should start their own thread and pose the matter...

[greybeard]

Wow, the woman with the service dog for sleep apnea sounds almost like me...except my service dog is certified for several purposes (sleep apnea was the initial practical purpose)

Hi Bev,


I have had sleep apnoea for more than 15 years and use a CPAP machine at night.  I'm not in any way doubting you, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot for the life of me see how a dog could assist with this condition.

Presumably your machine is by the side of your bed, and needs switching on & off, the face mask, headgear, and humidifier etc need cleaning and drying, the water reservoir of the humidifier needs filling, and the mask needs positioning & the headgear needs to be fastened when in use.   

How can a dog, no matter how well trained, do any of those things? 

As far as the other dog issues are concerned, being an avid dog lover, I don't object to dogs being taken anywhere.   Bad behaviour by dogs usually isn't anything of the sort.  They are just being dogs.  In every instance of reported bad behaviour, a lack of control by a human was responsible.

[RoyC]

Hi please nobody take this the wrong way but i recently watched a documentry ony sky about a mid level para with full use of his arms who had a service dog the docu was called my dog saved my marriage now this guy could and did everthing himself ie putting and emtying his washer on his own and then it shown u his dog doing it for him my question is why do people who can do things on there own also need a dog to help them i totally understand a quad who isnt as able and like stated earlier helps pick things up and really does assist but why would a para need one when they can live independently without one im just confused as to the criteria needed for such a dog

[mellowgator]

that's a good question. in my boot camp last summer to get my service dog the class was over half filled with children some of who were able bodied. however one boy had aspergers syndrome. he got the dog to be his friend and to help him interact with others. i again don't think someones needs need to be justified to those who think the whole assistance dog thing is baloney. not you roy but other and you know who you are.

[edlee]

Sorry MG if I rocked your boat,, but I did say in my post that if something is NEEDED, then of course it should be available. As a quad, you have many small needs that the service animal system was originated to help with.

Where I find a problem is not with someone wanting to take a well behaved PET, anywhere they choose (within responsible limits),, but with those who feels the need to call it a "service animal" to justify it. Add that to the people with lower levels of paralysis, who use animals totally unsuited to the tasks the originators of the system envisioned, and you have brought the very thought of "service animal" to an absurdity in the public's mind. Certainly not what the animals or the organizations that help provide them, deserve.

So, for those of you out there that are doing what I described,, and you know who you are,, wake up,,, it's a pet,, a beautiful, loving and sometimes helpful,,, pet.

Bev,, you are certainly welcome to your opinion,, on this subject or any other,, I would hope that you would feel the same about my right to mine. As far as open forums go,,, they are just that. What you say on one is like shouting it on the street. If you don't want to hear others opinions,,, maybe you should whisper more.

Oh,, and you do read what you type before you post, right?

BTW, as most people are aware, in many counties, dogs are more than welcome anywhere...seems that if some people have a problem with dogs, maybe THOSE PEOPLE should STAY home..

If you were AB,,, would you be saying that of us, too? I didn't come hear to fight,, just to get some insight from those I thought best able to give it to me,, about what I can see as a possible problem. That problem isn't that there are service animals,, but that there are those whose actions could cause a lessening of the public perception of their need. Thereby drying up the funding for training these very useful animals.

I hope that I've explained myself and my reasons for asking what I did, Mellogator, and I apologize if anything I've said has caused you upset. Bev,,,, the converse.
ed

[mellowgator]

dear ed,

i misunderstood. i'm glad you feel it's ok for a quad to have a dog open doors and retrieve. i too, don't like the idea of a pet being out in public under the title service dog when someone just wants to take them in public and has no real need. truce!

mellowgator

[S&W Winger]

I have had sleep apnoea for more than 15 years and use a CPAP machine at night.  I'm not in any way doubting you, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot for the life of me see how a dog could assist with this condition.

Presumably your machine is by the side of your bed, and needs switching on & off, the face mask, headgear, and humidifier etc need cleaning and drying, the water reservoir of the humidifier needs filling, and the mask needs positioning & the headgear needs to be fastened when in use.   

How can a dog, no matter how well trained, do any of those things? 

As far as the other dog issues are concerned, being an avid dog lover, I don't object to dogs being taken anywhere.   Bad behaviour by dogs usually isn't anything of the sort.  They are just being dogs.  In every instance of reported bad behaviour, a lack of control by a human was responsible.

GB, I have had sleep apnea my entire Life: was finally diagnosed 1992...as an infant, my mother sat next to my crib all night, waiting and listening, and then getting me to breathe again...actually, I frequently nod-off (i.e., pass-out) without my CPAP mask on...now when I stop breathing, my dog stands on my chest, barking, licking my face until I start breathing again...this has been witnessed numerous times by my SO (who was presumably going to let my breathing stay stopped )...documented, and was well enough for her certification...she also has several other certified skills qualifying her accompanyment of me anywhere I desire, of which I no longer feel any need to justify here to others... ...per ADA, all that is required of an inquiry, is to state that the dog is a service animal for medical purposes.






FYI to ed, et al: per my first thread ( http://www.apparelyz...h...c=13798&hl= ) I have very limited use of my arms due to having severely fractured both and having had them haphazardly plated back in place (without much care, as they never figured I would Live anyway) and I am dependent upon a Hoyer lift for transfers...yada yada yada..."conversely" to you, ed, just do not ever post AT me again and we shall then Live and let Live...

So, once again, as Simon most likely started this thread with the intent of a positive resource for folks to learn about acquiring a service dog: this has taken-up more cyberspace than the sharing of good information...it has degenerated into an absurd, senseless rhetorical debate...how sad that someone new coming here for information, positive support, and camaraderie would read this thread, seeking said resources and leave with the impression that the folks here would rather "disagree" when neither agreement nor disagreement were at issue...I'm wondering about my-self for getting sucked in to this BS...waste of time...but again I digress.

[edlee]

Seems you've neither read nor understood either of my posts completely, yet still feel the need to attack. So be it. I don't look for fights,,, but I'm not afraid of them either.

I will try,, one last time,, to explain my concern. If the general public,, who are the ones who donate to the organizations that train and provide REAL service dogs,, start to see too many "owner trained" animals bearing the same title,, they will start putting their donation dollars elsewhere. My fear is that those people who need them won't have them available.

If your animal provides a neccessary service to you,, then you should, by all means , continue to have him with you. But please,, don't refer to him/her as a service animal,, even tho he/she is. A little discretion could mean one more person gets a trained dog, that might not, otherwise.

And I will talk AT anyone I feel is disinclined to talk WITH me in a civil manner.
ed

[greybeard]

.now when I stop breathing, my dog stands on my chest, barking, licking my face until I start breathing again...

Ah!  So that's it.  Thanks for explaining.  

By the way - I was not attacking you - or asking you to justify anything.  Just curious, and continuing what I thought was a civil conversation.   That's what most of us try to do here.   Sorry if I pushed the wrong buttons.

[S&W Winger]

.now when I stop breathing, my dog stands on my chest, barking, licking my face until I start breathing again...

Ah!  So that's it.  Thanks for explaining.  

By the way - I was not attacking you - or asking you to justify anything.  Just curious, and continuing what I thought was a civil conversation.   That's what most of us try to do here.   Sorry if I pushed the wrong buttons.

You did nothing of the sort, GB...as I also thought that we were having a civil conversation...

[greybeard]

You did nothing of the sort, GB...as I also thought that we were having a civil conversation...

Oh, good.  I had thought your comments: "which I no longer feel any need to justify here to others"


and "has taken-up more cyberspace than the sharing of good information...it has degenerated into an absurd, senseless rhetorical debate......"

were aimed at everyone, including me.   It must have been the way I read them.  Glad we got that sorted. 

[TextualFury]

I am a bit curious if most of you have service dogs. I have a service cat. She is fully trained and certified. We've been partners since 2003. She does everything that I need, though she no longer can do small item retrieval due to an injury that occured at the hands of an abusive ex husband. I run into a lot of issues with her and now carry a copy of the US federal law and my state law.

My only issue with having a service animal is with other people who think they can just reach out and pet her. It took a bit of adjusting but I have no issue stopping them. If they can touch my cat they can touch me. If they can touch me I am liable to have a flashback and hurt them. (PTSD is not my friend.) In fact out of all the things my cat does her ability to help me come back from a flash back faster or even to prevent them is the one I treasure the most. That and reminding me that pills are my friend. (I always forget to take my pain meds until it hurts too much to think.)

In fact as I write this she's telling me I need to get the morphine.

[greybeard]

In fact as I write this she's telling me I need to get the morphine.

Great.  What language does it speak?