All About Service Animals

Service dogs are sometimes called “guide dogs” or “assistance dogs.” These dogs are specially trained to work with people who are disabled, including the visual or hearing impaired, but it is not limited to those two disabilities. A service dog, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is “any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding people with impaired vision, alerting people with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items” (ADA Subection 36.104, 1990).

In order to get a service dog, a person has to apply and be evaluated to assure that he/she is suitable to have a guide dog and then that person's name gets placed on a waiting list while the most suitable dog for that person's disability is found or trained. Most people who have service dogs have to pay for that service out-of-pocket, though a few are available free of charge or are available through financial assistance. The dog and the disabled person have to be trained together over a period of months in order to learn how to work together before the dog can be permanently placed in the disabled person's home.

Before readying a dog to be a service dog, they go through a year-long program, starting as puppies, where they learn to get acclimated to being around others, going into different types of establishments, and preparing for multiple types of situations. There are private organizations that train service dogs, not-for-profit organizations that use volunteers to train service dogs, and more recently, prisons have instituted programs where selected inmates train dogs for service.

Service dogs are allowed to go inside places where regular dogs aren't allowed to go, such as restaurants, airplanes, banks, and so-forth. Service dogs usually wear a vest identifying them as a service dog and a sign asking people not to pet the animal because he is on duty. Service dogs even get to ride without being placed into carriers when they travel with their owners on trains, busses, and planes. Public accessibility of service dogs varies according to country and region which gives them equal access to anywhere the general public is allowed, such as grocery stores and theaters. Some regions require the person to carry ID explaining that the dog is a service dog.

Service dogs come in all breeds and sizes, although many trainers prefer to work with Labradors and Golden Retrievers because they're known for their great temperament. They are selected for their ability to respond well to obedience commands that aren't too aggressive, that aren't too hyper, and that are friendly and intelligent. Puppies chosen as service dogs from breeders, animal shelters, or donated by owners go to obedience training first and then more specialized training. Dogs can be trained to retrieve dropped objects, open the refrigerator, open/close doors, turn lights on/off, assist people across streets, and other duties. Families now use service dogs to work with their autistic children. Other dogs are trained to assist people with hearing impairment by alerting their owners to sounds such as someone knocking on the door or ringing the door bell, telephones, and smoke alarms. Mobility service dogs help people transfer from their wheelchairs, with dressing/undressing, with balance issues while standing at cash registers, etc. There are even dogs for people with psychiatric disorders where the dog's job is to keep them calm while they're out in public.  

There are many different types of service dogs who provide care to our loved ones. Next time you're out at a large public venue such as a mall, large church, or other venue, look around to see if there are service dogs on duty.  

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Out And About In The Woods With Your Dog

Leaves are falling and paws are crunching in the parks....

What a beautiful time of the year to get out with your canine companion and enjoy the crisp, cool air, frolic in the falling leaves and take in the visual splendor of nature.  A walk in the woods can be an exhilarating experience for you and your dog, especially if you'll take a moment for some basic dog care preparations. Minimize surprises and emergencies by following these simple steps.

I don't know about you, but I will drive hours to find a place where the dogs can run free in nature. We all love it and often spend the whole day in the mountains together. I've developed a list of easy dog care to-do's to ensure we have a great time and arrive and leave together safely.  

I recommend the following items for your outdoor adventures:

1.  Orange vests for you and your dog
This may sound like overkill, but I recently had an experience with my dogs that scared me. I was out in the woods with my dogs when I heard shots fired not far from me. I couldn't see my dogs and terror ran through me. Immediately I realized we were not prepared for the hunters.  Bright colored vests would have helped the hunters know we were not deer, and please don't shoot us.  Every year you hear the stories of accidental shootings. Don't be the next casualty -- don your orange vests!

2.  Current dog tags on collars
Keeping a collar and current dog tags on your dog helps others get him home if you get separated. One thing I have recently done is change the dog tags to read "I must be lost.  Please call Mom.  (xxx) xxx-xxxx".  This gives all the pertinent information, yet doesn't provide information for an easy abduction.  I don't want someone to know my babies' names, which might lead the dogs to believe the stranger is a friend.  

3.  Foot and body check during and after the outing
I check my dogs' paws and body frequently to remove the debris from the fall season -- gum balls, seeds, burrs, rocks, thorns, pine needles, and leaves can add up to irritation or lameness.

4.  Fresh water and a bowl
If I can help it, I don't let my dogs drink standing water. I carry fresh water instead.  I have had to deal with stomach problems in the past from bacteria in standing water. Carrying your own water is a small thing, but doing it can prevent lots of pain and suffering, a vet bill, and a 10-day supply of antibiotics.  

5.  Towels
I love towels, lots and lots of towels.  To me, dropping dirty towels in the washer is much easier and less smelly than detailing a car or working to get that horrible wet, dirty dog smell out of fabric and carpet in my truck.

6.  Whistle -- long range
Lastly, I whistle-trained my dogs. If we do separate, a blow on the whistle has them running to me.  Chances are, they don't like not being able to see me and will be happy to have me back in their sights.  I highly recommend the ACME whistle that sounds from 2-5 miles.  Get it on a lanyard and carry it with you.  

These 6 simple steps can make your outdoor trip so much more enjoyable, for you and your dogs. And paying attention to the basics in dog care shows your dog just how much you love her.

Happy hiking!

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Best answer:

Answer by Blunt Honesty
No, service dogs, whatever they are for, are allowed.

Give your answer to this question below!

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She's still a pup, roughly 7 months old & around 60lbs..
Am I right in assuming I should wait until she is full grown?
What would be the weight limit & how would you go about increasing that as time went on?

Thanks everyone.

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