Service Dogs

[kirsten]

Hi everyone Im new, I have an opportunity to get a service dog for my son, the only problem is the money the place I have had contact with costs 2500.00 for the dog I am told that even tho my son is nonverbal at this time that they can train a dog for him is this to early or should I wait until he is older and can speak? Any ideas would be appreciated thanks!!

[Cry Tears]

Hi....I'm glad you found BT and this wonderful forum.
I think there are services that will help pay the cost of the service animals.
Not sure who....but I know a Guide dog for the blind cost about $35,000.
My Service dog cost me only $1,500....but she was 5 years old and had a bout with teet cancer.
Call the Guide dogs for the blind....they have lots of dogs who've had a career change....meaning they flunked their strict guidlines for some reason, mostly for non complience with food.
They are still very good dogs....and may fit your needs?
Guide dogs for the Blind should also know of ways to pay for your dog should you not have enough funds for one.
I wouldn't wait any longer....get the dog ASAP! It may save your child from danger....you never know.
Blessings, Cheryl

[JanM]

There is a guide dog for children starting in Peshtigo WI. We used to live in that area and after a young man )12 iI think) got his dog he and his famiy is/has started a facility to train guide dogs for younger persons. I will see if I can get more info on this for you.

I have gotten the website

http://www.qhfoundation.org/story.html

[Hoosier Mama?]

I'm in the process of acquiring a service dog from Canine Companions for Independence, out of Ohio. They do not charge anything for their service animals (but there is a $100 application fee).

They do not train their dogs for balance work, however, but mainly for retrieval (objects, wheelchair etc.), light switches, door/cabinet operation....all depending on the person's specific needs. Mine will be trained to get the clothes out of the back of the dryer for me, among other things. :cool:

CCI does train dogs for children, however this is done in tandem with training a designated assistant (adult companion or parent) to work with the dog, who must be with the child and animal when they are working...so that might prevent the service animal from attending school with the child, unless a trained assistant went with him/her. Keep in mind, these are the policies of this particular group...others, I'm guessing, don't impose these restrictions.

Aside from finding an organization that doesn't charge so much, you might consider a fund raiser. I'm sure there would be a lot of people/churches who would like to participate and help you in raising the money.

It's been awhile since you posted....I hope you've been able to find something appropriate (and affordable!) for your son. And I agree with the poster above....it's the perfect time to begin this process. Not only will your son benefit from the tasks performed for him, but having a service animal breaks down many walls, socially, for those with disabilities...building confidence and positive self-image.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you both!:)

[Cry Tears]

L@@K what my service dog does for me! She retreives tid bits from the garbage. Does she have a guilt ridden look on her face or what!?!? LOL!

I'm posting some pictures of her visiting patients in the hospital and an adult care facility.
She loves visiting people. She's a wonderful and marvelous dog.
I'm getting a little worried as she's getting older and you can see she's showing her age.
I'm going to start a new thread and post more pictures of her.
I love to show her off....and I know some of you enjoy looking at photos of our pets here in our BT "family".
Blessings, Cheryl and Satin II

[rags156]

Hi,

My son had a dog from canine companions and he was wonderful. Sadly, he recently passed away. I am applying for a service dog for myself right now. The only expense we had besides the 100.00 was staying for 2 weeks to train. We had to go to Long Island. Depending on the area that you are from some of the CCI areas have dorms, so there is no cost to stay! Long Island hopes to open dorms soon! It's a wonderful experience!

Terry

[seizeacure]

PAWS with a cause is the largest service dog project in the USA. They supply dogs for$0 and no deposit. They are very strigent in who gets a dog but when they except you they train the dog specifically for you. i.e. If you need your keys retrieved but not your phone there not trained to get the phone. I believe they are the only organization that does that. Why don't you check them out.

Annmarie

[Cry Tears]

Annamarie...that is great news they're not charging you for your service dog.
The Guide dogs for the Blind has a campus close to us...about 4 miles away.
The campus is gorgeous...looks high tech with all new buildings, dorms and all the latest equipment.
I was going to volunteer there, but my muscle weakness is too bothersome at this time:( ...maybe next year!
Now if I can train an animal to help with cooking...I'm always burning the food!

Hey Fido....go grab my T-bone off the bar-bie!....
Bad Fido, bad Fido, no treat for you!

OK, Fido....I said TAKE out the TRASH...not....
TAKE...out...THE...trash!...bad Fido, bad Fido....
No treats for you!
See picture!

[houghchrst]

Oh yeah, I'd say that was a big oops LOL.

[houghchrst]

Does anyone know if there are service dogs for those who suffer from mental and emotional illnesses? I have read that many times dogs are wonderful for these people to help soothe like minor manic phases and anxiety not to mention a lot of other things.

[Cry Tears]

http://www.deltasociety.org/ServiceInformationHelp.htm

Christina...here's a great link that may help answer a few questions for you.
I know of one gal who has phobia's, being in stores, buildings, crowds overwhelm her...but her huge furry Collie keeps her calm so she can do the tasks needing to get done.
My dog Satin, helped me emotionally...when I 1st got her I had severe anemia. They spent 2+ years searching for it, finally opened me up, found baseball size anuerism in my intestines.
Then later I had total loss of balance...so then Satin wore a hard harness that has a handle I can hang onto.
My balance came back after supplimenting with B12...wonder of wonders!:p
Satin spent 16 of my 17 days in the hospital for just "one" stint of hospital stays....I think I was hospitlaized at least 30 times in 2 years I was anemic, getting blood transfusions.
Having her by my side made it possible for me to go thru all those needle pokes and procedures...I have a needle phobia big time even tho I was a Phlebotomist for years, drawing blood, using needles every day.:p
Doing that helped me get over my phobia, but its different when on receiving end of the needles!:o
I poked at least 35 people a day...sometimes many more.
I've had lots of funny stories happen while taking her around with me.
Its odd how people react to having a dog in places they usually don't go.
The airports are one place...and whenever we flew somewhere we'd walk up and down the isles. As we walked down, hands would reach out for her.
Everyone wanted to pet her. I think cuz they missed their own pets.
She acted like a well behaved human being...except when she's down in the kitchen and I'm upstairs...she's such a piggy!
Hope this helps...Oh...a good way to get a service animal for emotional support, depression and or phobias...is a dog who's had a career change.
Thats what they call the dogs that fail service animal school...usually for food misbehaviors.
For instance...a dog needs to leave the food alone, no matter how hungry he/she is....like if an attendant makes a sandwhich for a disabled person who's able to be left alone for the day...the food must be left within reach.
You can't have a dog who'll wolf down the food when no ones looking.
We had some freinds who raises Guide dogs for the blind...they had one dog that was soooo sneaky.
Mary would set a plate of food on a low table, told the dog "Leave it" then she'd leave the room. She went around a corner from other side of the kitchen. The dog was sooo smart...he went looking to see where she'd gone, didn't see she'd snuck around the other side of the dining room.
He went back, sat there long time, then checked again to see if she was around, then went back to the food, looked all around, then took a few bites!
She yelled at him...he'd gotten caught...gravey dripping down his chin!:p
But they could never break him from being sneaky around food. Other than that he was perfect in all ways, but he "flunked" Guide dog standards.
Which reminds me...a service ANIMAL need not be a dog! Or large dog, can be a toy poodle, cat, horse, Llamma...but I won't go as far as say snakes, iguanas and lizards! LoL!...but ya never know!
Someone may finid peace in having a snake wrapped around their neck...but would be hard to put a "service animal" vest on a snake!
But maybe having 2 lizards hanging from your earlobe could be deemed "service animal" :D
Anyway...what ever blows yer skirt up!:cool:
blessings, cheryl

[houghchrst]

Thanks Cheryl. I just got a Pomeranian. He is 11 yrs old and has no teeth so I don't have to worry about him stealing food LOL. I have found that he is a great comfort to me when I have him with me and when I am in bed wracked with pain and anxiety I have found that him being at my side and within reach and being able to rub him helps to distract me and is very soothing. I just don't know if I can get him listed as a service dog. He is wonderfully behaved. Heels and sits and stays. Very mellow. Thanks and I will check out the site.

[seizeacure]

Christina Paws with a Cause will train for any disability you just need to tell them exactly what you want the dog to do. I have very severe flashbacks. When I have one I totally resort to living in the past the dog will nuzzle me until I come back to the present

[houghchrst]

thanks seize. I will look to them. I think I was at that site briefly once before.