I had what I like to refer to as an MS meltdown last year. Apparently up until June of last year I had been having mild symptoms which I just didn't pay any attention to. I used to be fairly active, walking/balance wasn't a problem, (I would walk for exercise, sometimes 2 miles or more a day)

Then it all hit me, and like so many others, my life changed. Thankfully I am still able to walk, but it isn't as easy as before. Whenever I leave the house I carry a cane and if a lot of walking or standing is involved I use a wheelchair. I do have some pain when walking but balance and stairs are a big issue.

I have checked several different places about service dogs. I guess what I'm looking for is others opinions on getting one at this stage of MS. I realize that the MS could possibly (hopefully) stay where it is now, but I also do understand that it may get worse. At my last neuro visit I showed increased loss of sensation, strength and reflex on my entire right side.

I used to never worry about going out anywhere alone, but now I very seldom go out alone. I'm so afraid of falling (which I've done several times, but dh was around to help me up) or walking like I'm drunk and walking into traffic or something like that or even dropping something and not being able to pick it up.

I think a service dog would not only give me the stability I need when walking, but the confidence to be able to go to the store, etc. by myself more often. I have always had animals around me, recently, 3 dogs, (they are with my mom now) so there wouldn't be a problem with getting used to having an animal around.

I'm sorry that this is such a long post and that it is probably confusing as to what I'm asking. Just please tell me if I'm crazy to even be thinking about a service dog now or if this is something that would be benificial to me now and in the future. I guess in some ways I feel I am not "sick enough" or deserving of a service dog.

Does any of this make sense? lol

Hi I am new to this forum here but when I read this post I wanted to respond. Hope nobody minds! This is basically up my ally as it were! As I have taught my own service dogs for over 25 years.

Everybody has asked themselves the same questions "Am I sick or disabled enough to have a service animal"! "Am I worthy enough"!After asking this the next thing is what can a service dog / animal do for me? What are my needs? Or at least that is what one should ask themselves before just jumping right in.

You basically answered your own question in a way by stating why you need a service animal. (ie counter-balance so you do not fall or loose balance, alert and pick-up items that is hard for you to get, bracing if your in need of getting up in which a cane cannot move foward to pull you, etc.). Mobility Service Dog!

To answer this we have to go back to the question what is a service animal? What do they do for people with disabilities?
A Service animal is any animal that is individually trained to perform tasks to benefit an individual with a disability (the disabilities might not be visible). Their special training allows individuals with disabilities to be more independent. Types of service animals are but not limited to: Guides; Hearing; Mobility; Medical Alert/Respond; Psychiatric; Parkinson; etc.

Mobility Brace animals are taught to assist those with Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Congenital Abnormalities or any person with a balance problem. What can these dogs do for me? Whether be in a wheelchair, crutches, canes or walkers, the work of these dogs may include pulling, turning on and off lights, carrying objects, picking up dropped items after alerting to such (safety reasons), opening doors, and of course stabilizing a person as they rise from a seated position, or those whose balance is challenged in order to prevent a fall. Or assist in recovering from one.

So no you are not crazy to be thinking about having a service dog. Now is the right time to start thinking about whether or not one needs a service animal. What one's needs are in the now and what maybe in the future! As it takes time to train dogs to become service animals. (apprx. 15 months - 2 years for various tasks).


I have actually taught my dogs to counter-balance me when I am out and about. They feel the change in my body language even before I do and will either pull to the left front or to the back if need be. This way I will not fall or loose my balance. Also for any uneven level of the ground which could make me loose my balance or trip my dog would auto counter-balance. Also when I get down on the ground to get something I have majour issues getting up a cane cannot do it but my service dog is there to brace me. Using their upper shoulders to brace myself so I could get up either from the floor or off the bed, chair or couch. Bracing in various ways for the situation. Without my service dog I wouldn't be able to get up and to have somebody do it with out being taught could hurt them as well as me.

Interesting, I use my service dog for bracing but never knew it was a task to be taught to him, he just does it.

I have self taught two service dogs now, basics, but used professional organization to come to my home and certify the former dog (though not required. ) They'll come and certify this one too, if we can ever coordinate our schedules and my pain!

I say, GO FOR IT! The reason I did this on my own is that no one around me understood what a dog would help me with. Since I first had the first one, and my doctors saw, they agree it was a good thing. When I had to put him down, my doctor was insistent (way ahead of time) that I DID HAVE TO REPLACE the old service dog!!!

They learn to do things for you without you having to train them, but if you treat them afterwards, they'll keep doing it.

Don't worry about what others think. And that you have someone to help keep the dog trained (a real effort for me to run him through his paces now and then so he won't get lax in response) you are ahead of the game. If you get one now, then if you do progress in your MS, he can learn new things to help you with as you need them, rather than everything at once.
good wishes!

My wife helps teach Service Dogs at a local church. You might take a look around your area.

Call some Vets or maybe do a Google Search for your area. If you don't find any .... try K9 companions or try this website.

http://www.servicedogs.org/applyforadog/servicedog.html

If they don't have an answer, they will know where to send you.

I think, if you are asking whether you need support or not....you need the support, otherwise you wouldn't be asking.....at least that's the way it has been for me. If I get the support early enough, then I am strong enough to learn how to use it, if I wait until I absolutely need it, then it is too late to really use it or I no longer have the strength to really use the support. IN short, I advise, Get help as early as you can, rather than waiting until it too late.

I think a service dog is exactly what you need!!!
I had a wonderful dog, mostly self trained and then certified by an organization, for 15 years. I now have one I received as a puppy for self training (which wasn't planned as I am less able than the first time, though more knowledgeable.) He's almost 2 years old, so still has quite a bit of puppy in him and I worry he won't come through for me in stressful times...but so far he's been there!
I was injured 21 years ago, and have a lesion and all the symptoms of MS. I live with chronic myofascial pain. He picks things up off the floor for me, he helps pull the sheets and covers off the bed and drags them to the laundry room... oh I can go on and on...and he's a great companion and always there when the pain ovewhelms me and I lie crying... such a comfort. He helps me get up off the floor when I've had to rescue his playtoy from under the bed...
Yes, get on all the lists you can for a service dog! You can always say no if more than one finds a dog for you at once. (I was on Paws with a Cause list for 4 years (as my other dog was aged) and never did get a dog from them. I think the ratio was 1 in 10,000 disabled people receive a dog (of who want and need one.) Which is why I took a puppy and raised and trained him myself. Fortunately he's smart as a whip and learns quickly. I think he reads the books while I'm out.

I was just thinking the same thing.

My condition is not curable, and there is mobility issues. I am on lists, but I understand that they are looong!

I decided to get a 2 yo, a real blessing, and totally unexpected.

I placed a prayer in the prayer book, a simple request. A service dog for me. Within two weeks, I had found a purebred Golden Retriever that a breeder was retiring, and a trainer that I agree with. No clickers, no treats for a job done well. Just loads of praise!

Whew, didn't mean to 'step' on your thread just wanted you to know that others think the same way as you, not sure about the service dog, but like you, asking def gives a person the vote of confidence you were asking for!