A Service DOG (or, in rare situations, a mini-horse) is an unusual DOG, gifted by God to “read” his/her person and is specifically trained to carry out certain tasks unique to him and his person.  He and his person (called a “team”) have a deep bond beyond that of pet and owner and he is focused intently on his person until he is relieved of work duty.  He works  in a hyper-vigilant way and succeeds in meeting at least some of his person's needs in order to minimize the negative effects of a disability.  He is different from but also, in some rare situations, can also be the family pet.  He and his work are protected by federal law. 

WARNING:

pretending that a pet is a working Service Animal is

AGAINST THE LAW.  

This is becoming a huge problem in the U.S.  I’d like to put out a plea to anyone reading this who wants “the jacket” or “the badge” or “the card” to make your pet appear as tho it is a WORKING SERVICE ANIMAL so that you don’t have to leave him behind when you go somewhere: 

YOU ARE NOT SHOWING CONCERN FOR US WHO NEED SERVICE DOGS IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR INDEPENDENCE.  When you do this thing, you are forcing lawmakers to become stricter and stricter with our MUCH-NEEDED Service animals.  You are actually causing harm to the disabled community.

PLEASE STOP ANYONE WHO IS DOING THIS.

More on Service DOGS:

YOU, YOUR LOVED ONE/S OR YOUR CAREGIVER

MUST BE ABLE TO CARE FOR

ALL THE NEEDS OF A SERVICE DOG,

PHYSICALLY,  FINANCIALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY.

 

A Service DOG provides freedom and a a sense of “centeredness.” Would you/COULD you go places, like to the grocery store, a restaurant, the library, the park (NOT the dog park... too much exposure to contaminates /too much stimulus for the WORKING DOG), on a trip, if you had "someone familiar" to go with you?  Could you BE EMPLOYED with the assistance of a Service Animal? Think about these things:

What can't you do at all now or have much trouble doing PHYSICALLY that could be done with a bit of physical assistance? Do you have seizures that come on you without warning, causing you possible danger?  Your Service Animal might have the gift of sensing before the seizure occurs and could be trained to warn you ahead of time.  Do you have trouble bending to pick stuff up without falling or getting really dizzy? A Service Animal could be trained to do the job for you. Do you sleep too much? Your Service Dog could be trained to sense what “too much” is and wake you. Do you have blood sugar imbalance?  A Service Dog with the gift of being able to sense a problem and alert you to take action before you are harmed might save the day. Do you need "someone" to force you outside for at least a few minutes each day?  (The Service Dog’s presence with you to ANY PUBLIC PLACE is protected by Federal, State, County and City laws. He can even accompany you on the airplane NOT isolated to the "pet" compartment!  [Be sure to alert the airlines at the time you make your reservation that YOU WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A {[give size} SERVICE DOG.  They might even save a seat next to you {WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CHARGE}!)  Do you need the soft touch/lick of/responsibility for a CONSTANT COMPANION in order to keep you orientated to place and time? (Service Dogs cannot usually leave their person's side. If you leave the dog too often for too long, you will break the bond and the alertness that he has toward your particular disability.)

You need a doctor who is in support of such a partner and is convinced that such a relationship would help your situation.  For many people, a Service Dog is LITERALLY the "person" that provides the secure feeling the disabled person needs in order to get out of the house.  Many chronic disease victims are afraid to leave their homes... unstable gait, vertigo/dizziness, disorientation to place and time, brain fog, fear of falling, too much exhaustion, etc. 

What do you need in order to have a Service Animal?

1. You need to want to be accompanied/required of 24/7. THIS ANIMAL IS NOT A CUTE, CONVENIENT PET.  He must never leave your side unless commanded to do so (crate-trained Service Animals usually see that space as their “havens of rest.”  When in the crates, they know they are off duty.)  PLEASE BE SURE YOUR ANIMAL IS RESTING WELL.

2.  You or your caregiver need to be financially, emotionally and physically able to care for the animal to the utmost.

3. You need a trained, socially appropriate animal (who will be groomed frequently) or train one/groom one yourself if you are into that sort of thing (I very definitely am... in fact, the training/grooming is actually part of my own therapy!)

4. A doctor's order or letter explaining the need for such a companion (I have a prescription written out and then minimized that I carry in my wallet) will come in handy tho this is NOT required by law, at least at this time. Note: when approached in public about your Service Animal, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOUR DISABILITY TO ANYBODY. If a business owner or manager challenges your being allowed "to bring a dog in here" (which happens a lot), you would explain that you are disabled and HOW the WORKING animal assists you out in public. That's all you need say. I have printed off federal and state laws (from the Net) and handed them out at times when I anticipated a hassle (both times, it was with my daughter's apartment managers... two different states... both times I blew them away with MY RIGHTS AS A DISABLED AMERICAN and a member if the LARGEST MINORITY GROUP IN THIS COUNTRY!!!) Usually, most places are more than friendly and accommodating once they realize that an accompanying animal is a trained, Working Animal.  Sometimes, I've had to get pretty firm in explaining that U.S. Federal Law prevents the establishment from DISCRIMINATION OF A DISABLED PERSON (which anybody with a brain cell knows) and that my Service Animal is required to help minimize my disability.

5. When in public, you should have your Service Dog identified as a Service Animal though, again, not required by law. [ONLY DOGS are legal Service Animals (not cats, rabbits, snakes, or any other beast or pet.)  I believe that, under certain, specific circumstances, mini-horses might be recognized by US federal ADA laws as “Service Animals.”]  My Service Dog usually wears a bright reflector-striped vest/harness with a badge that reads "Service Animal.-- DO NOT PET." He/she also typically has a little pocket where he carries “business cards”BRIEFLY  summarizing ADA Service Dog rights and some of the duties he/she has to help me ABLE.

6. You need to be prepared to be questioned endlessly by Jo Q. Public about your Companion.. Kids and adults will want to pet him (A HUGE NO NO in most but not all instances.) People will want to know IF YOU ARE A DOG TRAINER because, alas, we have "invisible disabilities!" Ugh. Folks want to know what sort of dog he is, his name, how old he is, etc. I USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY I AM HEALTHFUL ENOUGH THAT DAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF for advocacy.  I love to teach business owners, employers and the public about Lyme Complex/Service Animals. Usually, somebody knows somebody with ”fibromyalgia/CFS” or other disabling condition that could be, in fact, Lyme.. Giving them my card with my website addy on it gives them soooo much wonderful info for them and their Loved Ones.

I think the best thing a person who wants/needs a service animal can do for herself and others, besides, of course, to get one [if you are a dog trainer or want to learn, consider training your own Service Dog to do work specific to YOUR needs, look at your local animal rescues first... the emotional reward you'll get by adopting a homeless friend is immeasurable] and use him, is to

Use the dog as a conversation piece to educate people about fms.  My Service Animal’s business card explains a bit about Lyme disease, the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act], how my Service Dog assists me and gives the recipient my website addy. IT'S EXCELLENT ADVOCACY!!!

A brief summation from The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regarding what a Service Animal is and what your rights/responsibilities as a disabled partner of a Service Animal are is as follows:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

While a Service Animal is not a Therapy Animal (although some can be cross trained, as I had once contemplated doing with Lady Fanny), maybe your disability is significant enough to warrant the specialized training of an animal to actually aid you in becoming more independent.

 

 

LINK S

For assistance in obtaining a trained Service Dog - www.thetowerofhope.org  

LabraDoodle ( a new breed specifically created to be a SERVICE DOG):

http://disc.server.com/Indices/213515.html#12359 (this is the discussion board... very interesting)

also see Breeder's Listing Webpage at www.doodlebreeders.netfirms.com

 

Grants for Pain Relief (Xolo) Dogs

http://www.pawsforcomfort.com =

Xolos are a breed of dog that can provide the same warmth as a heating pad for relief of chronic pain. Due to their hairlessness, the dogs' heat is easily felt. Dogs weighing more than 12 lbs also provide traction that can contribute to pain relief. Those interested in obtaining a "hot dog" have a possibility of receiving a grant for a dog. Please visit  www.pawsforcomfort.com  for grant criteria, pictures, and the application forms. (Resource: www.fmaware.org)

 

Info LINKS to

Guardian Dogs for AUTISM VICTIMS

http://www.northstardogs.com/autism.shtml

http://www.4pawsforability.org/autismdogs.htm

http://www.psychdog.org/lifestyle_ChildrenwithAutism.html

http://www.autismservicedogsofamerica.com/Autism.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Golden-Bridge-Developmental-Disabilities-Human-Animal/dp/155753408X
 

 

Links to Service Dog info for Canada:

Therapeutic Paws of Canada:TPOC - Paws With Love To Share www.tpoc.ca

Camp Dogwould - Your dog would love it! www.campdogwould.ca

Cdn.Assn.Professional Pet Dog Trainers www.cappdt.ca

 

 

 

Service Animals

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