Hello,
I have been getting a lot of questions from people about service dog certification. While I am glad to answer these questions, but I am very busy with work, school, and dealing with my as the
requests increase it may be beneficial to publish my reply.
First the inquiry:
I am disabled, I have some vision deficits and balance problems,
but what my dog does for me is not readily apparant perhaps to someone on the
outside. He does walk always on my weak side and subtlely leans into my leg if
I'm wobbly. But emotionally, I am very dependent on him, as he was an integral
part of my recovery process after I suffered a stroke. He came to the door and
appears to have had some "Canine companion," or service dog training, but we
could not find an owner. Our vet believes he had the first part of the
training, and perhaps "washed out" because of a fear of loud noises. Because he
was an integral part of my rehabilitation, I need him just like someone else
needs a cane to steady them or some other equipment. I am willing to train with
him if there is a hope of getting whatever documentation, so that I could again
travel. Any information would be appreciated!
This is my response to my this inquiry:
I used to raise puppies for Leader Dogs for the Blind and have worked with more
than 50 service dogs over the past 8 years. I'll try to address your issues in
stages.
1. You don't need any type of certification for your dog to be considered
a "service dog." All he needs is the ability to perform a task for you. The
Federal American's with Disabilities Act ( 28 CFR 36.104 defines the term
"service animal" as "any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually
trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.")
Information about the ADA Act, and a printable card with the information,
is avialable on the website for the Delta Society ( www.deltasociety.org
).
2. You aren't required to have ID on the dog, but I HIGHLY recommend you
purchase a jacket over the internet which states that the dog is a service
dog.
You can also buy the patches online if you want to attach them to some
other type of jacket or bandana.
3. The law states that no one can ask about your disability or what the
dog does for you. You MUST, however, identify your dog as a service dog when
asked to do so.
4. You mentioned your dog may have had previous training but was washed
out for fear of loud noises. This means your dog is probably not stable enough
to handle the work you're asking it to do. You are likely creating undue stress
on the dog. Very few dogs are capable of becoming service dogs, and even fewer
people have the training and skill to train their own service dog. I really
don't recommend it unless you've trained service dogs before. Even then, there
may be things you need the dog to do that you aren't trained to teach. When a
person has little experience in training a service dog, they don't typically
recognize subtle problems with the dog. It may be that your dog does some
things fantastically, but you're missing key signals that the dog has stress.
Even my Hugo has stress at times, but you have to have considerable experience
and resources to get them through it.
5. Training - I have only found one person who would help me train my dog
for service work, and she wanted about $7,500 to do it. Most people go through
a service organization which is not only capable of training a dog for you, but
they can select the best type and temperament for your needs.
6. Your service dog should be able to EASILY complete the AKC's Canine
Good Citizens Test which includes a variety of distractions ( including loud
noises ). It's a good gauge as to whether or not your dog is stable enough to
do the work you are asking of him.
I appreciate that you want to have your current dog assist you, but even I
had to change my game plan. I have a 5 year old German Shepherd who had health
issues which prevent him from working outside the house. He has fantastic
skills and training to be my service dog, but I couldn't put him through any
additional stress. So, I have him work for me just around the house, but I
purchased Hugo to do the work the rest of the time.
I hope I have helped. Please consider a second dog from an organization
such as Paws With a Cause ( located in Michigan ). Sometimes you have to put your disability needs ahead of your personal
feelings about your dog.
Good luck,
Pam
