My few experiences with monkeys in the past is they can be quite independent a.k.a. nasty and a bit mean. I'd be more trusting of a dog but heck maybe monkeys can be good service animals, I just never heard of them and assumed they may be hard to train, but why not?

I only have a minute - but should have more time tomorrow to answer everyone's questions.

First, about the 4 month lab pup - I would not want to get the first dog trained. Even in progams, the percent of failure is 9 dogs fail per one dog placed. You want a dog that has had people with experience working with it.

In the next day or so, I'll PM you with some forums that you can join. THere will be someone near you to give you guidance on getting a SD. Can't you get one from the prison who has a training program in place? Also, although most SD are Labs, or Goldens, there are some lines of really nutty high strung Labs. The pups temperment is #1 in priority.

About getting a monkey - currently the laws say service animal. But the administration currently in office wants to make some sweeping changes. First on their list is to change the law from service animal to service dog. So, be aware that if they get their way, that dogs will be the only animal allowed.

I wonder if the admins would allow me to post links to service dog forums publicly. I know it's a no-no to post links to other forums, but NeuroTalk really has nothing service dog related so it would not conflict.

I'd love to post more right now. But, I have to get my symptom report done for SS so I can get it mailed tomorrow.

oh - you can train a SD to go on puppy pads. There are people who live alone and have a SD and cannot take them out, and live in apartments or places where they cannot have a doggie door. Also, many people train their dogs to go on puppy pads when traveling, as dog relief areas at airports can be a LONG way for a disabled person to go.

If I don't know answers, I can find out. I am thrilled that there is interest here, because a dog can really help you out. IF your interested, make a list of what you have problems doing. Such as, if you can't get up if seated, or need assistance getting in to a wheelchair, you need a good sized dog. If you don't need help with that, a much smaller dog will do. The smaller the dog, the less expensive to feed, vet care, groom, even collars cost less, and the lifetime of a smaller dog is longer than a big dog.

I promise - I will be back!

Hi! While realizing that this subject is very serious and service animals can be of great benefit to those that have them, I just had to giggle.

After one of my many surgeries, my daughter (she lives in S. Ca) told me that she was so glad that grandma (my mother) was with me so that she could be my "helper monkey". Of course it stuck and grand ma has remained the "helper monkey" ever since then.

Just thought you might appreciate the sentiment. Lisa

Mike, I just got an email telling me of this update - it is now official. Service animals regulations have changed. Dogs and with some rules, mini horses are the only animals that will be allowed as Service animals. This now excludes monkeys, and other animals. I even know of one woman who uses a small pygmy goat as a pack animal - has it house trained and everything.

Now, this means you could still use a monkey, but you could not take it out in public like you could a dog, and you would not be able to take tax deduction, get from meds, have allowance made in houseing etc.

http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm

"On Friday, July 23, 2010, Attorney General Eric Holder signed final regulations revising the Department’s ADA regulations...."
"Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition."

well that makes the decision easy now.

i sure hope that there was a grandfather clause for the others though...

thanks

mike

Alaska mike I was looking into a service monkey and found helping hands based out of Boston ma. I'd look into them

Sorry, I have not been feeling well ... I have not forgotten about posting links and giving more information here. Just have not been up to sitting at the computer for more than a few minutes.

As soon as I am, I'll be back with the information.