Service dog help

[Babyblue5290]

I need good resources about service dogs. I'm not really familiar with the subject.

I need to know not only laws but what it takes to be a reliable service dog. What is not acceptable behavior while working? Past the obvious no aggression, no marking, etc. I'm not even sure how to find a good service dog trainer. :/ I'm not really sure where to start with any if it. Help is appreciated, but please do not all questions about why I'm looking at a service dog, is not for me but is personal enough I don't feel comfortable sharing here.but feel free to pm me

 

[milos_mommy]

Does Saelu still post on here? Her, Fran, and Romy would be good people to PM, I know they know of some good forums.

It's also going to depend if you're looking for a psychiatric service dog, a dog for a physical disability, etc. and dogs that alert (things like seizure and blood sugar) are a whole different ball park.

Did you search old threads on here on the subject?? I know there have been some informative ones!

 

[Babyblue5290]

As

Does Saelu still post on here? Her, Fran, and Romy would be good people to PM, I know they know of some good forums.

It's also going to depend if you're looking for a psychiatric service dog, a dog for a physical disability, etc. and dogs that alert (things like seizure and blood sugar) are a whole different ball park.

Did you search old threads on here on the subject?? I know there have been some informative ones!

Thanks for the response
I'm in the process of reading through some old threads, though when most contain a lot of bickering it's kind of tiresome. =_= I knew a few people here have service dogs but I thought it might be a bit presumptuous to just pm them out if no where just cause they have service dogs and I didn't want to be pushy if they didn't want to talk about it


The disability is a physical disability. I dont know much I'm allowed to share on that since its not for me, but it would be object retreval, stability and mobility issues especially with uneven ground. I'm sure there may be other issues but I think those are the main ones.

 

[milos_mommy]

You can either go through an organization that provides trained service dogs, like canine companions for independence (expensive, sometimes a long wait),

Or you can find a trainer to work with a dog you choose - for that you can either get a breeder puppy and hope that they'll turn out as a good candidate, get an adult breeder dog (personally I think the best option), or get an adult from rescue/foster, which might take a lot of searching.

I know Moxie Collies (where Sael's Logan came from) has sent multiple dogs on for service work.

I think the hardest thing to train for is public access work. The dog not only needs to be non-aggressive but needs to have ZERO reactivity, to other dogs, prey animals, people, cars, etc. They also need a really solid grasp of all basic commands no matter how distracting the environment.

In most states (possibly federal, idk about Canada), you can not bring a service dog anywhere until they are certified. That means all public access training needs to be done in dog-friendly places. I think for most dogs this takes about 1-2 years. (After all the basic training and puppy socialization).

If you want a dog for mobility work, they need to be tall depending on the handler's height, and if they'll be used for balance they need to be big/strong enough. I'd recommend choosing a breed, or a few breeds, and asking around within the community if anyone knows breeders who's dogs do service work. Meanwhile, look around for trainers in your area that work with potential service dogs and their handlers.

 

[Applebear]

I've been doing the same for past few years, however kind of gave up on the idea until I got Ripley. People will tell you different things, some of the groups I'm in can get a little anal. I know with mobility work...there's a lot more to it because you have to find a dog that can handle it [they have to have a certain weight ratio to who they are helping], then there's xrays at 2+ and such. I always imagined it much harder because not only do they have to make the cut in other areas, but then you could do all that work training and find they have to be washed out over hips right about the time you can use them [I'm guessing it would be better to go with a good breeder who does health testing, has good history etc here]. However, do keep in mind I'm far from an expert on it.

You can look up the ada site for the laws as well as the state your friend is in [as there can be some minor differences, such as if the state considers a SDiT equal to a SD for access rights, etc]. I have no clue on programs or trainers, though I believe there is a site that gives ideas. I see http://iaadp.org/ mentioned a lot. I don't believe it is required, but often used as a good guideline.

I too am hoping to learn more about SDs, so I do hope more share on this thread.

 

[StompinT]

I know of someone who both uses a dog for mobility issues, and has trained several service dogs for both herself and others. I think a great starting place would be to contact her.

Her name is Sue Matthews, she is in Oregon, and her kennel name is Echo Bouvier des Flandres. You can probably contact her via her website.

 

[LMost]

Sorry to say you need a doctors note. That says you have said disability, and that a service dog would help you with said disability.

Org's in truth are just services that help in the matter, by either reg dogs, training dogs, or in some cases providing dogs.

For everyone that totes there anything past that please show proof.

Got major issues currently with 2 service dog in my area, and getting anything done about it is like beating my head against a wall.


Ops forgot http://www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm

 

[Romy]

For mobility support will they have to do brace work? Balancing, pulling, etc are a lot easier on the dog's body and you don't have to have as large of a dog.

If it will have to brace the handler's body weight then it should be at least 50% of the handler's weight. If it only has to counterbalance, it can safely do that at 30% of the handler's weight.

Heavy mobility work should not be done until after 2 years old. Personally I would look for an older puppy or young adult, that you could either OFA or at least do prelims on to make sure their joints will handle that type of workload in the long run. Something from a breeder who OFA'd the parents would be ideal. You might be able to find a dog that a breeder held back that didn't quite turn out like they hoped (bite went off, cryptorchid, etc.).

 

[Babyblue5290]

Thanks for the responses. First off, I'm on my phone so sorry for any typos.

As far as getting paperwork, I'm a bit confused on that. It's a medicall diagnosed disability, so I'm truth paperwork wouldn't be hard to get staying that, but as far as requiring a certificate for a service dig where is that started? As far as I'm able to see Washington doesn't require ant proof in the form of a certificate and neither does the ada. Am I missing something there?

Romy, the majority would be counterbalance type work, without full weight put on the dog. We are having a lot of trouble figuring out what breeds to look at st the moment. I'm worried about health issues with missy larger breeds. I'm also a bit worried about housing, even though they can't technically discriminate against a service dig.

 

[Applebear]

Thanks for the responses. First off, I'm on my phone so sorry for any typos.

As far as getting paperwork, I'm a bit confused on that. It's a medicall diagnosed disability, so I'm truth paperwork wouldn't be hard to get staying that, but as far as requiring a certificate for a service dig where is that started? As far as I'm able to see Washington doesn't require ant proof in the form of a certificate and neither does the ada. Am I missing something there?

I am confused too, though some trainers may give you a certificate or in case of a cgc...it is not required. There is nothing stating you need a RX for a SD either [in most cases], you have to be legally disabled and need the dog to perform tasks. However, there are some situations that may require it, such as renting or flying [in some cases, mostly psds I believe]. Some trainers require it as well, but otherwise you shouldn't need it for regular public access, nor should it be their business to see [they are allowed to ask 2 questions, none which require revealing the disability].

In my case, my doctor fully supports me here, and though I doubt I will ever need a RX...I do agree that it doesn't hurt to have it on hand, just in case.

 

[milos_mommy]

You shouldn't ever need any kind of certificate or paperwork in general (ie store owners and officials can never ask you to prove your dog is an SD. They can't ask about your disability, but they can ask what tasks the dog is trained to do to negate your disability).

I'm pretty sure the only time you'd ever need a doctors note is when the dog is an SDit and you're trying to get on an airplane, stay in a hotel, or rent in a no-dog apartment, the three places service dogs are allowed.

You'd probably need some kind of training certificate if it came down to a legal case - ie someone didn't permit your dog, or your dog did damage on someone's store property, but as far as "needing a doctor's note" for a service dog, that's false. If so there wouldn't be so many people with "fake" or improperly trained service dogs.

 

[LMost]

Have a diagnosed physical disability, anxiety disorder such as PTSD, debilitating chronic illness, or neurological disorder affecting at least one limb.

Yes your doctor has to diagnose the condition and enter it into your medical records that having a service dog may help your condition.
No it is not a written proscription.

Also 1 hidden fact also is.
Be able to meet the physical, emotional, and financial needs of a service dog Have no other dog in the home (other animals as pets are permitted).

 

[milos_mommy]

A diagnosis or having it in your medical records isn't the same thing at all as getting a doctor's note.

I've also never heard of not having any other dogs in the home, and I know the largest guide dog agency will place working dogs with owners who still own their retired guide dogs, and I'd be surprised they would do that if it was not approved by the government.

ETA: I just looked up a few ADA titles and on various government and service dog websites and haven't found anything about other pets in the home, so I'm really curious for the source on that.

 

[LMost]

You'd probably need some kind of training certificate if it came down to a legal case - ie someone didn't permit your dog, or your dog did damage on someone's store property, but as far as "needing a doctor's note" for a service dog, that's false. If so there wouldn't be so many people with "fake" or improperly trained service dogs.

Oh I wish this was true. No the dog does not even need a CGC.
If brought into court your medical records are the sole documents that comes into play.
Been there, done that.

 

[LMost]

A diagnosis or having it in your medical records isn't the same thing at all as getting a doctor's note.

I've also never heard of not having any other dogs in the home, and I know the largest guide dog agency will place working dogs with owners who still own their retired guide dogs, and I'd be surprised they would do that if it was not approved by the government.

ETA: I just looked up a few ADA titles and on various government and service dog websites and haven't found anything about other pets in the home, so I'm really curious for the source on that.

A SDit is not considered a pet and is allowed.

Edit: No other dog rule I'll have to hunt through VA's site to find. But they follow all the ADA rules with a fine tooth comb.

 

[Julee]

I'm not reading the whole thread since I'm on the road, but you're free to PM me and the not having other pets in the home thing is 100% bullshit. Your definition of disability is also incomplete.

A doctors prescription is not necessary, though strongly recommended and a good idea.

There is no certification, that includes CGC (which is a pet test...)

Please don't post if you are not completely certain you are giving factual information and can back it up.

Sincerely,
A Legitimate Law Abiding Service Dog Handler And Trainer Of Seven Years With A Lot Of Other Pets

 

[LMost]

I'm not reading the whole thread since I'm on the road, but you're free to PM me and the not having other pets in the home thing is 100% bullshit. Your definition of disability is also incomplete.

A doctors prescription is not necessary, though strongly recommended and a good idea.

There is no certification, that includes CGC (which is a pet test...)

Please don't post if you are not completely certain you are giving factual information and can back it up.

Sincerely,
A Legitimate Law Abiding Service Dog Handler And Trainer Of Seven Years With A Lot Of Other Pets

You may have missed, I already stated diagnosed, and not a actual prescription.

Also as already stated I would have to look where I read the only dog rule.

Why you can have one maybe incomplete.

I've been around VA and there program since 95, also been dealing with a legal matter concerning 1 for the last year and half.
(So know very well all the things they don't need to have.)

 

[Julee]

Some programs will only place if you don't have other pets, that may be where that came from. However, the VA is known for being terrible regarding owner trained dogs, which make up a very large portion of service dogs and are permitted by the ADA... I wouldn't use them for your info source.

 

[milos_mommy]

A SDit is not considered a pet and is allowed.

I can't figure out what this is a reply to....they're allowed what??

To the OP: The FAQ and info on the government ADA page is pretty straightforward and comprehensive. If you're unsure about anything you can pull up the actual titles regarding service animals pretty easily.

 

[Romy]

You may have missed, I already stated diagnosed, and not a actual prescription.

Also as already stated I would have to look where I read the only dog rule.

Why you can have one maybe incomplete.

I've been around VA and there program since 95, also been dealing with a legal matter concerning 1 for the last year and half.
(So know very well all the things they don't need to have.)

The VA doesn't actually have to follow the ADA, and their rules surrounding service dogs are a lot more strict than federal guidelines for the general public and public access.

For example, there is a VA hospital (I can't remember which one) which requires dogs to be either trained by an organization or IAADP certified to come on campus. Any other public or private facility would be breaking federal law if they tried to enforce such a rule, but the VA does what it wants.