How Can a Service Dog Support Independence?

Lara...

   I've had a service dog for a little over a year now and it's amazing what he can do. One thing you left off your list which is just as important as any of the tasks they can do is to just be your friend. They seem to sense when you're not feeling well and will never let that stand in the way of loving you. My dog is a Yellow Lab named Ricky. I'll post a photo of him soon.

Its an important clarification though to define what makes a service dog, and what doesn't make a service dog. A service dog must be trained specific tasks to mitigate a handlers disability. So yes a service dog can offer lots of comfort, and emotional support, but those things don't make a service dog even for a disabled handler. The dog must still have what it takes to be a service dog (most dogs don't) and be trained in advanced obedience, public access, and service tasks. The last being those ones that specifically mitigate the handler's disability. Because when it comes to a service dog working in public, its the disabled individual's right to be accompanied by their dog as opposed to the dog itself having any rights. I'm adding this early on in the thread because its something that frequently comes up in the discussion of service dogs, and many don't understand the difference between emotional support animals and service dogs, especially when it comes to between emotional support dogs and psychiatric service dogs. But ESA's are not trained, and are not allowed in public access. The only places they are allowed where pets are not is in no pet housing, and on airplanes.

I'm a board member of the Assistance Dog Advocacy Project primarily working in education, so feel free to ask me any SD questions and I welcome any personal messages asking service dog questions. I was also a service dog handler until my dog passed away unexpectedly Dec 20th.

A reputable service dog organization will have a good "boot camp" or "team training" period before you go home alone with the dog, this is especially important for those first time service dog handlers, and also to make sure that the fit is right between the dog and the handler. Sometimes you might be paired up with a couple different dogs if the fit isn't right with who they chose for you first.

There are different ways to get a service dog though, and thats due to the way the laws are written to offer the most rights to the person with a disability. In addition to service dog organizations, you may owner train a service dog. My SD Tessa was a combination of owner trained and assistance from a local SD organization, because as a first time handler I didn't trust myself to do it "alone" (and "alone" still included the regular dog trainers that I worked under, and various service dog training books and videos I had to assist me.) I started out owner training my next SD, but she washed out. When I had to wash her out and realized she didn't have what it took to be a SD, I also realized I didn't physically have what it took to start over again and owner train myself from the beginning. The beginning is the most intensive part, then public access work which is where she washed out. But there are more scam and just plain not good SD organizations out there than reputable ones so its difficult to find a good program that is both a GOOD program, and a good fit for your personal needs. So unfortunately its going to be a few years until I acquire my next service dog, as I need to fundraise 3k for program I chose to acquire and start working with the puppy, and then approx 2 years of training until they graduate. Of the poor organizations out there, they aren't all purposeful scams. Another all to common instance unfortunately is someone who actually WANTS to help, train and place service dogs, but doesn't understand what it really takes or will not/cannot wash out dogs who don't have what it takes, and so end up placing all or too many dogs who shouldn't be/aren't service dogs. So its important to not choose the organization lightly. Remember this is a highly trained animal, who is going to have an extremely important job, for many years. Longer than the period of time most people have a single wheelchair for, so if you're putting more consideration into what you need in a wheelchair than which SD program (or SD trainer if you are owner training) to work with, thats a serious problem!

I love hearing about how amazing these adorable hairy friends are... .they are incredibly intelligent. Do you think it possible to find anything as loyal?

truwrecks, Domino was so special in the way that he grew into his true calling as a service dog. I do think some dogs are born for this. Lex, my first service dog, was a feral rescue who was overly protective of me, benevolent but strong pack leader (of 2 other GSDs), and not tolerant of humans and canines outside his pack. When I needed him to become my service dog, my confidence was low in being able to train him in my disabled state. But the years of obedience and tracking work were good preparation, and he quickly took to service tasks, although the mobility work required both of us figuring out what worked. I was amazed at how much easier it seemed for Lorenz to learn mobility assistance with my training and Lex's mentoring. Lex himself made the personality adjustments needed to become my service dog when that is what "the pack"--now just the two of us--needed. Lorenz seemed to be born for this work, and discovered his calling when I rescued him at his eleventh hour in the "shelter". We are really blessed to have had these relationships.

Domino as a Springer Spaniel:



Domino in SD mode:



Unfortunately the forum is rotating the photo.