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Do You Have A Service Dog
Thought we could share if we had service dogs.
How long have you had one? What do you have one for? What kind do you have? What is the dogs name? lets share hugs |
I do have a service dog. We've been together 15 years, from his 8 week birthdate ;)
He's a hearing ear guide dog. Well he was originally. He's now deaf from age and spending time with me and loud tv and stereo. He was the first dog trained in South Florida for emergency vehicle alerting. I don't hear the sirens and too many times I was the only car in the intersection..except the fire engine or police car A purebred black labrador. Since he's registered, I'd rather not give his name, ok? |
I guess it doesn't really matter...
Lots of things...I think... now...don't really matter. I had to put my service dog down Saturday night. He had just another battle to wage and I didn't want him to have to suffer any more. I am overcome with grief. :icon_cry:
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so sad
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This past Monday, I spoke to my psychiatrist about getting his recommendation for an Emotional Support Dog, and he wrote the prescription with enthusiasm and said he would like to receive more information about the laws that govern such support animals. He is a very caring man and I know he will reach out to more of his emotionally needy and isolated patients. I hope that you will have another dog in your life. You can never replace one friend with another... but there can be another companion who wants to offer love and devotion to you... Teri |
New puppy.
Thanks. I have a new puppy, a labradoodle. He is going to work out I think, though he is just now 3 months old. I didn't think I had the energy to train a new puppy the basics, but he is quite smart.
I have yet to notify the certifying agency of the death of my service dog...perhaps I'll write them, rather than risk a vocal breakdown on the phone. Whenever I think of my dog, my eyes well up and my voice cracks..and if I can't check it I melt into sobbing. :( |
JD...Iam so sorry to hear of the loss of your companion.
He is pain free, young and happy and waits for you on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. I love this poem....and it has given me comfort. Perhaps it will comfort you some. Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown... Hugs to you and your new "doodle". You may be surprised to see a lot of traits that were dear to you that your old companion exhibited in your "doodle"......... I believe our old companions watch out for us, even after they are gone-in whatever ways they can. Leisa |
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Anyway, I'm excited to see this sub-forum here. Now I know where to go to share and learn. JD...:hug: I'm so sorry about your heartbreak....and they do break our hearts everytime, don't they? Some people (those who don't own their own dogs) simply don't understand how painful it is to lose a beloved companion. FWIW, I do understand. My dear sister did the most loving thing for me when Shelby Khan, my soul-dog, died. She called me and said to gather up all my photos of Shelby...all my writings/poems...all my memories/stories...and she'd come over so we could talk about Shelby all day long, if I wanted/needed to. She drove the 45 minutes to my house, completely prepared to do just that. Of course, I didn't need all day....but boy, it sure was nice to know that someone was willing to do that for me when no one else understood. So I would like to extend that same gesture to you. Please feel free to come here and tell us all about your life with your dog...post pics (if it's allowed?)....whatever you feel comfortable doing at this point. I'm sure after all those years, you have many warm and wonderful stories to tell. How's the new pup?:) |
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Yes - I had a Certified Hearing Guide Dog, a AKC Samoyed that was donated by a Breeder because she had so many defects and flaws and she couldn't even be sold for "cheap". The Guide Dog Service wasn't sure that she could be trained but her response and alertness was so well defined, in spite of her 3.5 years of age, they decided to give it a shot anyway, and she did very well, but they had a hard time finding a hearing impaired person who would take the dog in, until I came along. Her name was Star - and she and I were meant for each other, and we hit it off the moment we saw each other, and the Director had never seen anything like it, in fact, the dog came home on the same day! After a few weeks of adjustments - well that's what the Director said, but she was already adjusted in 5 seconds! :) She made herself a home, and we were a team! After several months of progress, she was certified and all paperwork, ID's, leash, collar, etc were completed. But Star was different - she went the extra mile. She seemed to know when I was going to have a seizure before I did or anyone else did, for example, she knew when a Tonic Clonic (Grand Mal) was going to happen, she would push and shove me to the couch, or floor, or to my bed, whichever was the closest, and curl up in a ball and stay there and was so protective and would not let anyone nearby (except family member). One episode when we were outside, I don't know what kind of a seizure I had, but witnesses saw it and called 911, and paramedics and cops were there, but they just couldn't reach me because of Star, she wouldn't permit them to be near me, since it was daytime, they went on a manhunt looking for my son (it was in the summer and school was out), and by the time they got my son they were able to get the dog out of the way. But it only resulted more problems (my son was small and the dog is a workhorse), so the paramedic had an idea, for my son and the dog to sit there, while they treated me, and it worked like a charm. Then they transported me to the hospital where I was admitted for 3 days, and I was told Star wouldn't eat at all, and all she would do is look out the window and wait patiently by the door for me and just whimper. Once they got my meds lined up, the Hospital called and said it was time for me to go home and bring the dog - and Star just went berserk when she saw me in the room, just so overjoyed, and once we stopped to get my meds, and headed home --- she ate like a PIG, ate like there was no Tomorrow! Star was very short-lived unfortunately - this is why my son and I cry off and on. One day, she couldn't get up, I had to carry her to the Vet, her hips were gone, and they also found other stuff wrong with her, and the very next day, the Guide Dog Service took her away from us (it was part of the contract), and we never got a chance to say "Good Bye", we weren't even allowed to even keep her as a family pet. We learned later, she passed away not long afterwards. She died very young. Nothing can replace Star. She wasn't a seizure response dog at all, she was a Certified Hearing Guide Dog that went the extra mile. She only responded to Tonic Clonic seizures 3 times before anyone knew about it and to Complex Partials several times and that was it. Psychological? I don't think so. There was no way she could have known about me having Epilepsy, she wasn't trained for it - but she knew. I was supposed to get another Certified Hearing Guide Dog, unfortunately that Guide Dog place went under and out of business due to excessive complaints and tactics and other things that I'm not aware of ... as this was many years ago. Both my Son and I miss Star very, very much, and yes, tears are shed when we see her pictures. Would she be alive today if she was well? NO - she wouldn't. Her time would have expired years ago, probably at least 10 years ago tops or more, for a normal dog's lifespan. I've been putting in for years applications for Hearing Guide Dogs and Service Dogs, but the hardest thing is ~ being rejected, all because I'm on SSDI and SSI - and I do not have sufficient income even though I'm a homeowner! I've pretty much given up filling out applications now - I cannot bear to fill out anymore. My Doctors in the past have gotten so tired of putting in their letters of recommendations, and only for me to be "rejected" or "denied" due to lack of income. IT HURTS! Especially when I live alone, so in exchange, I have my son living here instead and returned to being a landlord and giving up my own bedroom and sleeping on the floor and giving up my privacy because of this. I apologize if this is long. |
Wow your story is so moving southie I thank you for sharing it. I am so sorry for your loss, and your loss too JDPhD. It's so sad to lose any loving companion like that. :(
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I have a guide dog named Julio. I got him before I got RSD. He's a yellow labrador. I'm always amazed at how well he adapts to my changing pain status.
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First, I wanted to say how sorry I am to the people here whose service dogs have passed away. I know it feels like losing a part of yourself.
Like Hoosier, I am on a service dog waiting list. I am attending candidate classes, along with ten other people who are on the active waiting list. It's been two years now since I applied, but I feel like I've moved a few steps forward. I have MS (multiple sclerosis) and I've lost a lot of muscle strength in my arms and legs, having to use walking aids to get around, and falling often. I need a dog to keep me upright, help me get up out of a chair or off the potty, and open heavy restroom doors when I'm in a public restroom. Also, I want a dog so that my husband can go somewhere by himself and not have to worry about me so much. |
I am amazed each time I fall into a crying jag over my former service dog... it happens at least weekly. [I put him down in January.] My puppy has learned to come and "comfort" me now, when before he didn't respond at all. TC
JD |
(((hugs))) JD and all :( I haven't lost a service dog (since this is my first), but I have lost pets before (dare I say my best friends) before. I can feel the pain.
I have a Psychiatric Service Dog (in training) who is only 11 weeks old. We have only been together for 3 weeks, but I have known her for 4. It was almost as if we were meant to be together. I visited Mayze and her 4 sibs when she was 7 weeks. We played for a bit before I left. I knew she was the right pup, so I gave them the deposit and headed home (They live almost 2 hours from us). A week later, I came back to pick her up and she remembered me! She ran right up to me. :) It was a very special moment. Her initial training (The basics including potty training) has been trying, but we are getting better every day. Mayze is a Chocolate Lab/Husky mix. She looks like a pure chocolate lab unless you look really close and see some slight differences. One of my friends who used to breed labs says her nose is a little narrow to be a lab, but you really have to look closely to see it. The vet is anxious to see what her coat will look like. Will she be smooth like a lab or fluff(ier) like a Husky? Why do I have my Mayze? Let's see. I am Agoraphobic, have panic attacks frequently, Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, Major Depression, OCD, and ADD to top it off. My therapist and I have been discussing getting a dog for a bit. I brought this up to my boyfriend and he thought it was a great idea. It took a while to find the right puppy (the first one I fell in love with was a pure bred St Bernard) but I eventually found the right one for me. It's the training part that is driving me crazy! (lol) I found that a head collar works best for her. She is so happy when she does things right. She's a good girl. I have had a problem (I was unaware of the differences between Therapy, Service and emotional support animals) with the housing association saying this "dog" brings us over our two pet limit (even though I told them that Mayze was my service animal). After doing some research, I realized I definitely needed her as a service animal. I also found out that I needed a prescription from my psychiatrist. I printed out some information for him, and he was more than happy to write out the note for me. The association has told us that the dog has to leave. That's fine. I am moving anyway (there is MUCH more going on with them - I am actually planning on filing a suit against them, so I don't want to get into it). I mentioned in another thread that I will be moving this weekend. Across the street from our new place is a trainer of service dogs (unless our landlord misunderstood and she only trains therapy dogs). I am excited about that because I know I will need help beyond basic obedience. Mayze deserves to be in a place that understands, and accepts who and what she is. The neighborhood we are moving into is wonderful. :) I am very excited :) Sorry for babbling (I do that sometimes :) ) I am glad to be here with you all. Beth |
Winston
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One major issue of not being able to walk away from my house, campsite, car, or into an wide open area...my agoraphobia has been tremendously helped by having Winston. He needs exercise and I'm all he has. Aside from driving me nuts in the house, he has established a routine for me of getting me out to the dog park every day for his exercise/my social hour(s) - We go for walks (long ones) - When I first moved up to this area 5 years ago, I could hardly walk to the end of my driveway. Now, I am able to walk a distance of about 3 miles before we turn back. After spending so much time with Winston, I began to realize many of my abilities and my appreciation for life. I started to challenge myself in ways that I never imagined. Things started looking good for me and my whole outlook on life. I started enjoying sunsets. I realized that the more that I got out with Winston the more I appreciated the world around me. I realized that there was so much of the world that I was afraid of because of years of living in panic and despair. Last February, I started going off of medication (after being on them for 15 years) - Since September, I have been off of all psychotropic medications, so far successfully!!! So, sometime this summer I started researching online about psychiatric service animals. I have now been prescribed a service animal and am training Winston. We are working on public access stuff. He's so good in the stores. I am still having difficulty bringing him out with me sometimes as I struggle with needing to feel accepted and not to be stigmatized against. With having a service dog with you, people ask questions. People are very bold. Sometimes, I just feel like saying that point blank that "it is none of your business what my disability is!!!!!" - other days I just don't care. It's frustrating. On the one hand I know how much help he is to me, yet on the other I am so fragile inside somedays to deal with confrontation from the public because I am an individual with an invisible disability and a service dog (in training). |
Condolences
JD,
I was so distressed to read about the loss of your lab service dog. We used to have a Rottie/Boxer mix named Kayla, who we rescued from the HUmane Society. She was 125 lbs of pure love. She had no tail, whoever had docked it got carried away and she didn't even have a stump. She would get excited and she wagged her whole body. She finally developed dysplasia, as large breeds so often do, and it got to me to see her get up and yelp in pain at the effort, or she would try to scratch and couldn't raise her hind leg high enough to do it. We now have two Chihuahuas (Chihuahua/Mexican Hairless Mix) who are 15 months old, and in training as Hearing Assist dogs. They are brother and sister, named BearBear and Munchkin. Bear is black and tan, and Munchie is blonde and white. They are smart as a whip and have been partially training themselves. I have the worst hearing, as I have only less than 30% in the left ear, and totally deaf in the right ear. The wife is hard of hearing, but not as bad as I. When the pups are two years old, we will be able to get them certified. They are very well received everywhere we go, because they are so well behaved. When their harnesses are put on, there is a total transformation in their personalities. It is as if they consider their harness their uniform and that when they are on, they are all business, working dogs. When we get back home and take the harnesses off, they play-fight like any siblings will do, and have a ball/ |
I got the call Thursday, telling me that I was getting a service dog. I am ecstatic! I applied for a dog about three years ago with St. Francis of Assisi Service Dog Foundation, which trains and places service dogs with Virginia residents. About three weeks ago, I had an interview with Montana (Monty for short), his trainer, the head trainer, and the director of SF.
What can I say about Monty, except that he is lovable, smart, and incredibly sweet. He is a 2 1/2 year old black Lab. He will be able to assist mostly by helping me keep my balance and getting up from a seated to a standing position. It is a truly helpless feeling when I can't get up off a toilet! If I fall, he can brace me enough that I can get back up. This is an incredible dog. He will enrich our lives so much. Monday, I begin 30 hours of required training with Monty and his trainer. After that, he will come home to live with us. It will be lots of work, and I can't wait to get started!! :):):) |
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If my partner is not in eyeshot, he howls when the siezure hits and doesnt stop until my partner gets to where I am; My partner has used the e-diary to document it all...it is amazing how an animal can percieve changes in a person when they are not trained to do so... Now he looks after me too...and because at present I am siezing 3 or more times a day, he is a total treasure to me...I am grateful. |
I've had my current service dog, Cole, for eight years. He's nearing retirement.
I have a traumatic brain injury with co-morbid mental illness, including depression and PTSD. He can predict my complex partial seizures, helps with balance issues, and does guiding when I am disoriented among other things. He's a German Shepherd, my favorite breed. Actually, he's WHY German Shepherds are my favorite breed. |
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I am in the process of getting a puppy to train as my future service dog. I was diagnosed with a vestibular disorder in 2004. My condition has recently progressed to probable PPMS. My future service dog will primarily be my mobility assistant. My puppy will be a Borzoi (aka Russian Wolfhound). Not sure yet, haven't met him. But I already love him :hug: |
I have had one since April 207
I have been gone from the forum for a long time, but get updates on this forum, so I finally decided to drop by and see how things were....
I just gave a long detailed description of my psychiatric service dog and my experiences with her in gaining public access to all places I need her to be with me up in the sticky at the very top of the forum topics here... Teri |
I've had my SD for 8 yrs and I know time is getting closer to retiring him. I have another that I am training to be ready for the actual testing and registering. He actually picks up on things real quick from watching my SD working. I have aggressive m.s, epilepsy, narcolepsy, and heart problems.
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I would love a service dog
would medicaid approve it, I have Parkinson's Disease, I am 39 years old -
for the last 4 years... ;) I live alone and I know nothing about the program? however, I am very interested... |
Service Dog Yes
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I WOULD RECOMMAND THAT YOUR SERVICE DOG HAS VEST AND PATCHES ON WHEN OUT IN PUBLIC SO PEOPLE WILL NOT BUG YOU ALL THE TIME ASKING IF IT IS A TRAINED SERVICE DOG ADA SAYS ANY BREED OF DOG CAN GO OUT IN PUBLIC IF THERE DOG IS TRAINING TO DO A TASKS FOR YOUR DISABILITY ONLY!!! ADI BELIEVES RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AN ANIMAL AND AN INDIVIDUAL, STANDS ALONE, IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE AN ANIMAL TO BE REGARED AS A SERVICE ANIMAL. IF AN INDIVIDUAL, WITH A MENTAL, EMOTIONAL OR PHYSIOLOGICAL DISABILITY WANTS ACCESS RIGHTS WITH ANIMAL AS AN ACCOMODATION, THIS ANIMAL MUST BE TRAINED AS REQUIRED BY THE DEFINITION OF A SERVICE ANIMAL PUBLISHED IN THE CFR IN OCTOBER 1991 BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. MAKE SURE YOUR SERVICE DOG CAN RING THE BELL ON DOOR KNOB SO YOU WILL KNOW IT NEED TO GO OUT SIDE. ALSO MUST KNOW HOW TO ALERT YOU TO A SMOKE ALARM, AND A POT BOILING OVER ON A STOVE. THIS JUST IS NOT A TASK FOR HEARING DOGS ALL SERVICE DOGS MUST KNOW THIS. |
I have a service dog
I have had my service dog for about 2 years now. He is a full service dog that does all wheelchair monuvers, mobility assist, and medical alert. He knows 110 commands and can dog it all pretty much. He has saved my life twice and my husbands once. He has just turned 3 years old in Dec. 2007 and he has been with me since he was 9 months old. I've known him since he was 6 weeks old. He was my friends daughters dog. They moved into my basement when he was about 4 months old and he medical alerted me when he was only 9 months of age so she gave him to me. He has been my partner at all levels. I could not function with out him. His name is Hoss I love him dearly and my husband is a wonderful man that wants to make life easier for all with service dog partners. Always give your service dog a hug and kiss and be sure to praise praise praise and they will do anything for you. Better go it is getting very late. Enjoy your service dog, I know I will enjoy mine.
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I have had a service dog for 5 yrs. My first dog retired last yr and I've had my current dog for a little over a year. She isn't done training yet. She is a 19 month old german shepherd. She still has a lot of maturing to do before she's done training. She is very well bonded to me. She tends to be a velco dog but doesn't have bad separation anxiety. However if given a choice she'd rather follow me around but it ok being away from me. I do get one heck of a greeting if I've been away from her for too long. Having a german shepherd does have it's benefits as people are less likely to bother you. People tend to part and get out of your way in a crowd. She is the sweetest thing but I feel safe with her in not so great places because I know that if we are threatened, she will at least bluff with a hail of barking. I am working on making her ready to pass the CGC and hopefully eventually for the obedience ring.
I'm also training a 5 month old std poodle puppy but she is a long way off from being considered a service dog. |
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dog ... and as for Agencies to train one, they can only go so far. *sigh* I have to go over with my Physicians as to what specific dog I would need, since pretty much the Agencies will now only train them to a maximum of 2 levels. I am considering possibilities of having a Hearing & Seeing Eye Guide Dog combination and skipping on the Assistance & Seizure Response Guide Dogs ~ since I pretty much figure in due time, the dog will detect this on his/her own after rapport has been established. But I do admit this one thing - many places either want money upfront or those who offer it for free requires the individual to go up there (wherever they are) for training before they come to the residency. This is a major problematic issue. I cannot drive nor can I fly - plus financial issue is a major dilemma. I could obtain "sponsorship", but typically they last but for a year and move on to someone else (rotating to differing individuals every year). This would create a hardship for me personally and would be totally unfair for the Guide Dog entirely as much as I need one. But thank you for inquiring. The overall outlook does not appear to look good at all. |
Bailey sends her regards!
Hello:
I'm new to the NeuroTalk Forum and I was really quite happy to see the subforum for service dogs/animals. Bailey is 5 yrs old now and she's been with me from when she was 8 weeks old. Initially we were going to train her to be a support animal for my mother who is now in advanced stages of Alzhiemer's Disease but, after it was suggested that I would benefit from the assistance of a service dog, well the plans changed. Bailey is certified for Special Needs/Hearing and as a Psychiatric Support Dog. Because of the region where we live, there were no local agencies or schools to train the dog for me, and the waiting list for a program dog was 2 to 3 years and the cost was going to be prohibitive ... the instructor that we were seeing for general obedience training and the trainer for Therapy Dogs both suggested that we could train Bailey at home ( my educational background and career experience were definite assests in the process ... with the added benefit that Bailey didn't use profanity or call me names the way some of my student's did!!! :p ) So we trained her here and then took her in for certification once we felt that she met all the criterion for the International Association of Assistance Dogs standards. There are no actual standards for Canadian Service Dogs so most provinces use the international standards or adapt the standards set out for guide dogs for the blind. We felt it was necessary to use the international standards since we live in a boarder town community to the U.S. and frequently cross the boarder. We're looking forward to getting to know you all better, hearing about your furry life savers and sharing information. Bailey sends her regards to her collegues with wishes for lots of treats and belly rubs. Take care all, be safe and well: Kefrin & Bailey |
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