Hello Everybody!

I am a "retired" mom, which means my only daughter has left the coop. In October 1998 she was struck by a car and suffered from Trauma Brain Injury (TBI). As we were "imports" from Germany we didn't have family to help. As loving as friends, colleagues, church are, long term illness takes another avenue. We battled for years and ended up "between the cracks". Amazingly it was a tiny sheltie pup that shed light onto our lives. Since my child had/s seizures this little fellow taught us how to recognize/forwarn chemical imbalances. He taught us! Since then it is my deepest desire to train dog's for folks with challenges.

As for myself, I held on as long as I could. After battleing the world to get my daughter help, I "crashed" to the point were i didn't know my age, only some personal history. After a year or two of rest, I was able to go back to school part time. So I went and graduated from the only NY City and State school for K9 training certification. And I still havent learned enough.

Now I would like to train my own Psych Dog. So I got a collie pup, but am having a hard time. I thought he was a service dog in traing, but this NY county won't acknowledge that. Any advise? I need him because I will not hear alarms or anything when I am sedated in the evening. Once he is taller, he can turn on the light switch for me. He already brings me items (water bottle, keys, flashlight, etc.)

I am so glad you guys exist. Just hope I can figure out all this THread/chat business! So please bare with me.

Robin,

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. You will find a great number of caring, supporting members here willing to help each other as they can.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Hi Robin. I stumbled on your post while doing an internet search, and I'm glad I did. This looks like a great board!

I think NY state law is supposed to accept owner-trainers of service-dogs-in-training. It's a little unclear because in one place they say the trainer has to be "qualified" and in another they say that a service dog in training is one that is being trained by the person with a disability or for the person with a disability.

I'm kind of a nut about service dog laws and collect them. I've dumped my law files on my own website for anyone to use. The section on NY laws is at http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/32

I suggest you write a letter to your county asking what is required for a dog to be considered a service-dog-in-training, and a similar letter to your state's Attorney General. On most of the states I've been able to include info on contacting that state's Attorney General, as well as any other SD related tidbits I found for that state.

I suggest doing it in writing so there is no question about what is being said and by whom should you choose to pursue this with a request for mediation from your state's Human Rights Commission.

Good luck!

Hi Robin and Welcome! I think what you are doing w/training a dog to be a serice dog is amazing. Your story is inspiring, as you have shown that anything is possible.. Glad to have you w/us.