I am Wendy Enos, and this is my partner Sophie.
I have had several strokes since 1985. As a result, I have deficits in balance, coordination, stamina, and mobility. In 2004, I adopted Sophie, a Golden Retriever puppy, for the ultimate purpose of training her as my service dog. We went through puppy class and advanced obedience, and then we were accepted into the team program of Happy Tails Service Dogs.
The beginner class established her obedience skills, and then the advanced work focused on the specific tasks I need her to perform for me. Out in the community ... restaurants, malls, and such ... we learned and experienced appropriate conduct in public, the laws regarding service animals, and the vast extremes of public attitudes toward service animals.
Our experiences were a complex and detailed journey in which every second counted ... and we loved it! We graduated as Team 19 in November 2006. Since then, we have attended many dog events, participated in Happy Tails presentations, and mentored other students in the program.
If you are interested in learning more about our journey, check out Sophie's blog at http://www.dearsophiedog.blogspot.com . Read about our adventures together, and check out the pictures, too!
WHICH DOG DOES WHAT?
GUIDE DOGS: assist their blind or visually impaired partners to navigate independently and safely by guiding them around obstacles and safely across streets, stopping at curbs and steps.
HEARING DOGS: assist their deaf or hard of hearing partners by alerting them to sounds such as the alarm clock, a stove timer, a baby crying, a phone ringing, a doorbell, a smoke alarm, a car honking, and sirens.
SERVICE DOGS: are trained to assist people with physical disabilities in various ways. These dogs are custom-trained for the particular needs of the individual.
SEIZURE ALERT DOGS: are able to detect minute behavioral changes in their human handlers, which may be indicative of an impending seizure, and they will assist their humans during and after a seizure.
DIABETIC ALERT DOGS: are trained to identify and respond to the scent changes, undetectable to humans, associated with hypoglycemia.
PSYCHIATRIC/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGS: help alleviate symptoms
of PTSD, depression, panic attacks, and other disabling psychiatric conditions.
See http://www.iaadp.org/psd_tasks.html
THERAPY DOGS: are an altogether different story, visiting hospitals, nursing homes, and the like, to cheer up residents and patients. They are not service animals, and laws regarding public access for persons with disabilities do not apply.
SERVICE DOG TRAINING & ACQUISITION:
Service dog organizations are many, each having their own methods of operation. Along the way, one might encounter waiting lists, financial expectations, or travel requirements to train with the dog. Some pre-train the dog and release the "finished model" while others, such as Happy Tails, train the handler and dog together as a team.
Here are links to several service dog programs:
All Ways Pawsitive
http://www.allwayspawsitive.com provides in-home dog training in the greater Phoenix area.
Canine Co-Pilots
Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)
http://www.caninecompanions.org
Dogs4Diabetics
Handi-Dog
Happy Tails Service Dogs, Inc.
http://www.happytailsservicedogs.com/index.shtml
Paws With A Cause
http://www.pawswithacause.org trains and supplies service dogs, hearing dogs, and service/guide dogs, and is the only known facility to publicize that they train seizure alert dogs.
Power Paws
http://www.azpowerpaws.org trains service dogs for children.
Top Dog
DON'T WANT A DOG?
While dogs make up the majority of service animals, there are other options available as well:
horses
http://www.mini-horse.org/news_service_horse_guidelines.html
monkeys
http://www.monkeyhelpers.org
OTHER USEFUL SITES:
Assistance Dogs International
http://www.adionline.org membership group for Service Dog Schools, a good place to check out if you are looking for a service dog.
Canis Major
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/helping.html
Clickertales
http://www.clickertales.com service dog partner and trainer in Tucson, Arizona; the site has many ideas and resources.
Guide Dog Users of Arizona
http://www.gdua.org gives upcoming events and newsletter for guide dog partners, and contains several useful links for even more information.
International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
State Laws Regarding Assistance Dogs
http://www.adionline.org/LegalGuideHandbook/GuideHome.htm
United States Dept. of Justice
http://www.usdoj.gov/dojofficials.htm contact information if an assistance dog partner is having access problems.
HARNESSES AND OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR WORKING DOGS
http://bridgeportequipment.com/index.aspx
http://www.ruffwear.com (merchandise is discounted for service animals!)
http://www.ryanspet.com/ryanspet/default.asp
Assistance Dog United Campaign
http://www.assistancedogunitedcampaign.org ADUC offers a scholarship voucher of
$2,500 for use by persons who apply for a service dog. Applications are accepted
in April and May of each year. Dozens of organizations nationwide accept these
vouchers.
If you did not find the information that you were looking for, or if you have
any questions, just send us an e-mail at
WendyandSophie@Cybercil.com