How many of you have service dogs?

[kerrtelli]

Hello,
I have a question for anyone who has a service dog.
I am moving quickly into needing more support for my walking and Alex mentiioned her service dog Polly.

It sparked my interest and I was wondering how many people have service dogs and how they help.

Thanks for your help.

Kerri

[HVAC]

Betth,
  How wonderful about Calvin, yes cats are trainable. Sadly he can not be a Service Animal in the eyes of the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA only dogs and miniature horses (For the blind) are covered by the law. With the revisions to the law many animals such as monkeys have been excluded. This does not mean that any animal can help you at home.

Alex

[maestro1959]

Let me begin by say ing to Alex how deeply I respect you, and any other trainers.  Those folks who take a delightful puppy into their homesonly to eventually give it up.  Then, the trainers take them in, and continue the process know they will be giving the dog up, too.

I have fostered cats for a rescue in order to rehab them (usually socially) with the knowledge they will go to someone else.  That can be tough.  So, KUDOS to you Alex.

I have a semi-service cat.  He was already trained in many areas before the MS, and some of it has become very useful.

Calvin is a domestic shorthair, Tuxedo (black & white) classification, which makes him very affable and eager to learn.  As a kitten I taught him to play fetch, and he loved it; we played by the hour. Now that I have MS and am far less ambulatory Calvin fetches for me.  Whenever I drop something he runs to it, then looks at me.  I immediately command "Bring it to mommy" because he knows that from our gaming.  If he can pick it up, he will and return it to me.  If he can not lift it, he pushes it with his nose until it rests at my feet.  I just think he is wonderful.

I know it seems impossible, but it is very possible with training.  Cats are bright, and really very quick to respond with concern.  They are capable of many amazing things.  Obviously, I can not leash him for duty outside my home, but he is handy for now.

By the way, the kitty snuggles and hugs are terrific, too.

Most sincerely,
Beth

[HVAC]

I have Polly who is self trained. I was a professional dog trainer before I found out I had MS. I have permanent double vision, have balance issues, can't turn quickly in a crowd. I get overwhelmed with spacial, I do not do well with a lot of stimuli or movement. Polly helps me navigate. She navigates for me so I do not have to think about it. She is also trained to help me get up if I fall or if I am having diaphragm spasms to lie next to me so people do not run me over. She also pulls my shopping cart.

I have another puppy Grady I am training to do what Polly does and to pull me more. She is 9 years old. He has a harness, he is a bigger, taller dog. He is also being trained so when I lose the use of my hands he will get things. It has been hard training him because I am much more progressed with MS than I was with Polly.

In my case I think of my need and figure away to communicate to the dog what that is. Sometimes that takes a long time and trial and error. It takes tons of patience and mutual trust. Sometimes a dog has to disobey a command to keep you safe.

I would suggest getting one through an organization. Plus all dogs do not make Service Dogs. Grady may not pan out. It takes years of training. So far he is doing well. He could turn out to be an exceptionally trained pet I put several years into training. I will keep him regardless.

He may have to go from an ambulatory helper to a wheel chair helper, I do not know since my MS is in my spine.

Also you have to know if you can handle the public. They are my helper dogs, not dog therapy for everyone else and that is hard. Everyone wants to talk about your dog and you can't. It distracts the dogs and it keeps you from getting to where you need to be. Sometimes you come off as rude. You get challenged about the dog and you have to handle that as well. My dogs are registered withe the State which helps, but I have to be assertive with out taking offense.

I have to take them into bathroom stalls, on elevators (sometimes with people who do not like dogs). Sometimes people want you off the sidewalk for them and you have to stand your ground. Sometimes you have to stop and wait for someone with a walker, etc. Dogs ears are sensitive so I have to think of that at events. I have to fit them under tables in restaurants, at my feet in theaters, not blocking the aisles on buses etc.
I have to bring blankets because they get cold. If I am running late I still have to let them toilet and groom them. They sometimes get sick. They are animals and sometimes they do something unexpectedly.

Alex