ARTICLES / General /
With Dottie, I have My Life Back /
Other Articles I always thought helper dogs were for blind or hearing
impaired people. As I began to learn more about
these dogs, I realized they also offered a variety of
assistance to people with physical limitations.
Service dogs can be trained to retrieve objects that are
out of reach; pull a manual wheelchairs; open doors and
turn on lights; retrieve help; assisting with dressing
or undressing; and assist in many other ways. Some
service dogs are specially trained seizure response dogs
and there are dogs trained to offer a person counter
balance when ambulating. One less tangible benefit
is that these dogs can actually expand your world by
giving you opportunities to meet people and get out in
the world.
My service dog, Dottie, and I take walks around the
neighborhood every evening. Each evening, between
5:00 and 6:00, she brings me her leach wanting to take a
walk. (Unfortunately, rain presents a problem.
Try to convince a dog that you can’t go for a walk
because it is raining.) We never come home that we
have not socialized with people we encountered.
Interactions are usually prompted by Dottie and then
switch to me.
How Do I Get a Service Dog?
There are various programs throughout the country.
Some programs serve only a particular region and others
do not have a defined territory. Costs vary; as do
lengths of waiting lists. To help you assess if a
program meets your needs, here are some questions to
consider when choosing a service dog program:
Is there support after the training camp? Many organizations will allow you to apply online;
however, if the website does not answer all your
questions, there is usually a number to call.
The website referenced below lists many of the service
dog groups:
http://wolfpacks.com/products/servicedog/trainers.html Check out this inspirational video about service dogs:
http://www2.canineassistants.org/2008/07/may-2008-training-camp
What’s a Training Camp?Training camps are a time when the recipient learns to
work with their dog. The dog is trained - now you
need to be. Service dogs know many commands before
being paired with the physically limited person.
Camp teaches you how to train your dog to perform tasks
specific to your needs.
After leaving camp it did not take me long to realize
one of my specific needs. My dog left her toys all
over the floor and, being in a wheelchair, this made it
very difficult for me to get around. Using the
command “clean up”, I taught Dottie to pick up her toys
and put them in her toy basket. Her little trick
really impresses young visitors AND their parents.
Is a Service Dog Right for Me?An important question to ask yourself is if you are
prepared to be a responsible dog owner? These
animals are wonderful companions but they are still
large dogs that need to be let out to toilet; managed
for fleas; brushed to control shedding; and taken to the
veterinarian for routine health maintenance.
Additionally, training reinforcement is an ongoing
responsibility.
A service dog can help a person become more independent
- feeling happier and better about their life.
There is a lot to consider before making the leap in
that direction but, if you decide this path is right for
you, it can be life changing.
Suzanne Ponciroli has lived with the challenges created
by MS for over 20 years. She has created a
website, http://EmpoweredLivingToday.com and a blog,
http://EmpoweredLivingToday.blogspot.com. Both
websites contain ideas and aids to help people overcome
physical challenges.
