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Service (Assistance) Dog


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#1 SouthnCm4t

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Posted 21 December 2007 - 09:45 PM

I am trying to find information on any organizations which may provide a service dog or train a dog to be a service dog for a Deputy paralyzed (paraplegic) from an on-duty injury during a funeral procession. Deputy Mary Mayo does have a male Weimaraner that should would like to have trained as a service dog, if he would work out.

Deputy Mary Mayo works as a Dispatcher with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff'f Office. Links for the injury and story are listed below.


Anyone with information can also email me directly at mattlewis74@gmail.com .


Thank you and stay safe.

Matt Lewis


http://www.liveleak....=fda_1182112252

http://blog.nola.com...ies_to_atl.html


http://blog.nola.com...elco/print.html

http://www.everyzing...d...&e=12076948

#2 allis53ca

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Posted 22 December 2007 - 06:48 AM

try "top dog"...i used their program to train my dog..she has a good breed (weimaranrer)already and preferably 3-5 y.o., and just needs the tools to train....the top dog materials work

Edited by allis53ca, 22 December 2007 - 06:50 AM.


#3 azx43

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Posted 22 December 2007 - 06:18 PM

View PostSouthnCm4t, on Dec 21 2007, 02:45 PM, said:

I am trying to find information on any organizations which may provide a service dog or train a dog to be a service dog for a Deputy paralyzed (paraplegic) from an on-duty injury during a funeral procession. Deputy Mary Mayo does have a male Weimaraner that should would like to have trained as a service dog, if he would work out.

Deputy Mary Mayo works as a Dispatcher with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff'f Office. Links for the injury and story are listed below.


Anyone with information can also email me directly at mattlewis74@gmail.com .


Thank you and stay safe.

Matt Lewis


http://www.liveleak....=fda_1182112252

http://blog.nola.com...ies_to_atl.html


http://blog.nola.com...elco/print.html

http://www.everyzing...d...&e=12076948


Hi- I am very sorry to hear about your situation with the injury and all. On the other hand, it's great to hear you looking at that next step and deciding to continue to live life!
I completely agree with allis53ca said about Top Dog. My own dog was trained through Top Dog; we are working our way to be certified as a service team. Thier website is www.topdogusa.org and they are located in Tucson, AZ.As far as I know, Top Dog is the only service dog organization in the US that will actually teach the human partner of the service dog to do the training themselves; but please correct me if I'm wrong here! Top Dog originally started just as classes for people who lived in the Tucson area, but now they have expanded into videos/DVDs, books, and even online classes. They offer out-of-state certification through video and interviews so you don't actually have to travel to Tuscon.
Since your friend already owns a dog thAt she hopes to train, a place like Top Dog might be the best option for her. There are also other organizations that train rescued dogs, and will place them in a home with other animals, kids, etc. However, SOME of the older service dog organizations will not place a dog in "less than ideal working conditions"(i.e. no other pets, very severe disability, and you stay home all the time!). Just watch out for those orgs; yes they actually still exist!
The reason I went through Top Dog is that it allowed me to have a more active role in training my dog. Also, many dogs that are trained for you through an organization are extremely expensive, plus there often wait times of 5-6 years from the time you apply for the dog to the time you actuaLLy have it with you. I use a manual wheelchair and am pretty independent on my own; I am not that " disabled" (apparently!), so I'd probably be at the 6-year wait end of the list. I customized Macs' training through Top Dog, and he helps me with the things I need help with. I'd definitely reccomend checking them out! :ban: :drive:

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#4 allis53ca

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Posted 23 December 2007 - 12:36 AM

i use their two books and two dvds...worth every dime

#5 SouthnCm4t

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Posted 24 December 2007 - 12:47 AM

Thanks for the info guys! The first christmas holidays since the wreck. I hope this gets a smile for a moment.

Keep the info coming!!!

thanks,

Matt

#6 Joed

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Posted 27 December 2007 - 11:43 PM

This is the organization I'm working with right now:

Canine Companions for Independence

They have chapters all over the US. They don't train your own dog, but breed theirs specifically for assistance work. It's less costly than most other organizations...only $100 to register and that's it. The waiting list can be up to two years.

I hope your friend will be able to use his own dog...that would be ideal, IMO. And his participation in that process would probably be helpful in his recovery too.

Whichever way he decides to go, I hope it's a rewarding experience. And I hope he drops in here at some point to say 'hey'. :blushing02: G'Luck!
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Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.

#7 SouthnCm4t

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Posted 30 December 2007 - 03:04 AM

Thanks for the info!!!


View PostJoed, on Dec 27 2007, 11:43 PM, said:

This is the organization I'm working with right now:

Canine Companions for Independence

They have chapters all over the US. They don't train your own dog, but breed theirs specifically for assistance work. It's less costly than most other organizations...only $100 to register and that's it. The waiting list can be up to two years.

I hope your friend will be able to use his own dog...that would be ideal, IMO. And his participation in that process would probably be helpful in his recovery too.

Whichever way he decides to go, I hope it's a rewarding experience. And I hope he drops in here at some point to say 'hey'. :unsure: G'Luck!


#8 sprintcar88h

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Posted 08 January 2008 - 09:14 PM

If you have the time, patients and understanding......... get a pup and someone to help you train ... so the dog knows what ya mean by your commands. i did that for my dog and she will pick stuff up for me... except food she's a little stingy with food...

If you can train your own dog make sure your the person to feed and water the dog...........It makes them more submissive.............

this is my pup my friend helped trained (c-6) chair bound quad also...Were roomates

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#9 azx43

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Posted 09 January 2008 - 03:53 AM

View Postsprintcar88h, on Jan 8 2008, 02:14 PM, said:

If you have the time, patients and understanding......... get a pup and someone to help you train ... so the dog knows what ya mean by your commands. i did that for my dog and she will pick stuff up for me... except food she's a little stingy with food...

If you can train your own dog make sure your the person to feed and water the dog...........It makes them more submissive.............

this is my pup my friend helped trained (c-6) chair bound quad also...Were roomates



What a beautiful dog! It's nice to see someone has a Bolrder Collie, too- they are amazing dogs. Here is a photo of my four- legged friend (Macs), if I can get it to attach.
Macs and I recently joined the canine drill team of our local AKC chapter.So far, I'm the only person in it who uses a wheelchair, though we hope that changes soon. :H2kOther (26):

Edited by azx43, 09 January 2008 - 04:25 AM.

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Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
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