Types of Service dogs

**cassiesmom** · 02-21-2007, 01:27 PM

What about dogs that make visits to patients in hospitals and nursing homes? Do those come up under therapy dogs? I've seen first hand what can happen when an elder in a nursing home and a dog get together.

I have an acquaintance at church that is training a puppy for seeing-eye dog course work (I know that is no longer the correct name but for the life of me I can't think of what the exact title of the program is). This pup needs to go different places because he needs to be comfortable going with the person he is assisting, wherever that might be (home, school, supermarket, church, work, etc). She brings him to church almost every week. The only rule is that you ask before you pet (little kids, of course, are excepted and they are so darling with him!). The pup has only barked once in church and that was because he was frightened by a power wheelchair. Even older people smile when they see him. She brings him with his dog-in-training vest on so there's no question what is happening.

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by cassiesmom

What about dogs that make visits to patients in hospitals and nursing homes? Do those come up under therapy dogs? I've seen first hand what can happen when an elder in a nursing home and a dog get together.

I have an acquaintance at church that is training a puppy for seeing-eye dog course work (I know that is no longer the correct name but for the life of me I can't think of what the exact title of the program is). This pup needs to go different places because he needs to be comfortable going with the person he is assisting, wherever that might be (home, school, supermarket, church, work, etc). She brings him to church almost every week. The only rule is that you ask before you pet (little kids, of course, are excepted and they are so darling with him!). The pup has only barked once in church and that was because he was frightened by a power wheelchair. Even older people smile when they see him. She brings him with his dog-in-training vest on so there's no question what is happening.

Yup those are seperate and called Therapy dogs. That is awsome that your friend is doing that. Even better that the church is allowing it. In the law the church is one of the few places that can refuse a Service dog for any reason. It is up to them if they allow it. I am blessed that my church also allows Sheena to attend church with me
Nicole

**mike001** · 02-21-2007, 02:04 PM

Somebody either doesn't want to find it or is not paying attention. Go back to my first post and punch in the site I gave.
The page opens to a Ger. Shep. in purple flowers
IN THE BEIGE BAR ON THE TOP...PUNCH "DISCUSSION FORUMS"
When the site opens, move down until you come to:
GUIDE,THERAPY ,& SERVICE DOGS. PUNCH ON THAT TITLE.

The page will open to PSD PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOG INFO
THERAPY DOG INFO
SERVICE DOG EMAIL LISTS
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS ADA AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
STATE LAW LINKS FOR DSABILITIES ACT
STATE LAWS LINKS FOR SERVICE ANIMALS
IAADP

If someone tells me they can't find this then you simply choose not to find it.
Why keep asking to post links to prove something if it's ignored?
Yes, it is a GSD site, probably because thewre are a lot of GSd's in training for that type of work.
I went to my first post, punched in the link and there it was , so I can't be the only one who found it. Like I said...maybe you don't want to find it because it might prove real facts.

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by mike001

Somebody either doesn't want to find it or is not paying attention. Go back to my first post and punch in the site I gave.
The page opens to a Ger. Shep. in purple flowers
IN THE BEIGE BAR ON THE TOP...PUNCH "DISCUSSION FORUMS"
When the site opens, move down until you come to:
GUIDE,THERAPY ,& SERVICE DOGS. PUNCH ON THAT TITLE.

The page will open to PSD PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOG INFO
THERAPY DOG INFO
SERVICE DOG EMAIL LISTS
EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS ADA AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
STATE LAW LINKS FOR DSABILITIES ACT
STATE LAWS LINKS FOR SERVICE ANIMALS
IAADP

If someone tells me they can't find this then you simply choose not to find it.
Why keep asking to post links to prove something if it's ignored?
Yes, it is a GSD site, probably because thewre are a lot of GSd's in training for that type of work.
I went to my first post, punched in the link and there it was , so I can't be the only one who found it. Like I said...maybe you don't want to find it because it might prove real facts.

Yup it is the last section of the forum. But like I said this forum is all about GSD's not about Service dogs. It has a small section about Service dogs but it is all about GSDs so if anyone wants to learn the full facts about Service dogs I would not send them to a breed forum. It does not have all the answers. It is very limited in it's info since it is only a breed forum.
Nicole

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 02:38 PM

For those interested in learing about the different training facilities that train Service dogs here are a list of a few:

Canadian ones:

National Service Dog Inc: http://www.nsd.on.ca/

Pacific Assistance Dogs http://www.padsdogs.org/

Canines With A Cause(this is one of the ones that trains PSD's) : http://www.canineswithacause.org/

MIRA: http://www.mira.ca/

Western Guide and Assistance Dog Society: http://www.guidedog.ca/who_we_are.html

Lions Foundation of Canada Dogguides: http://www.dogguides.com/doghome.htm

These are some of the Canadian ones. Give me a few minutes and I will post some of the american ones.
Nicole

**mike001** · 02-21-2007, 02:48 PM

Isn't your dog a GSD mix Nicole? GSD's make the best service dogs that I can think of. This is not a breed site, it is a highly respected service dog site put out by GSD people to help others with the facts that I mention. You asked me to post links and when I do, you discourage them.
I intend to go through that site and learn everything I can.
The german shepherd dog was the first dog to become a guide dog for the Morristown institute. Not saying that there are not other great breeds out there, but they have no sites that I know of.

**borzoimom** · 02-21-2007, 02:50 PM

Sheena is a pure bred White shepherd..

**Kfamr** · 02-21-2007, 02:51 PM

Some great information you've supplied us with.

I believe her dog is a pure bred White GSD.

Which BTW, I thought of Sheena the other day. This lady had a White GSD at the dog beach I take Kiara and Moo to. Five month old female. Mufasa absolutely loved her.

Have pics of the two of them that I need to post sometime.

Can the two of you knock it off now? It's getting quite repetitive and bothersome.

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kfamr

Some great information you've supplied us with.

I believe her dog is a pure bred White GSD.

Which BTW, I thought of Sheena the other day. This lady had a White GSD at the dog beach I take Kiara and Moo to. Five month old female. Mufasa absolutely loved her.

Have pics of the two of them that I need to post sometime.
.

Your welcome. I am very passionate about Service dogs of course. lol. I got more info and links if anyone has any questions.

I hope you post the pics. White Shepherds are my passion. I love all breeds of course but these dogs have a special spot.
Nicole

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by mike001

Isn't your dog a GSD mix Nicole? GSD's make the best service dogs that I can think of. This is not a breed site, it is a highly respected service dog site put out by GSD people to help others with the facts that I mention. You asked me to post links and when I do, you discourage them.
I intend to go through that site and learn everything I can.
The german shepherd dog was the first dog to become a guide dog for the Morristown institute. Not saying that there are not other great breeds out there, but they have no sites that I know of.

You know very well that Sheena is a pure bred.

As for that site just like you are I am a member. It is a breed forum all about GSD's. It is NOT a Service Dog Forum. It only has a small section at teh very bottom about Service dogs. I have no problem about your link but at least be accurate in your portrayal of it.
Nicole

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 02:52 PM

American Service Dog facilities:

NEADS: http://www.neads.org/index.shtml

Canine Partners For Life: http://www.k94life.org/

Paws With a Cause: http://www.pawswithacause.org/

The Gift of Sunshine Inc: http://www.thegiftofsunshine.org/

Canine Compainions for Independance: http://www.cci.org/

Pilot Dogs: http://www.pilotdogs.org/Custom/cust...cmid=269&id=64

SouthEastern Guide Dogs: http://www.guidedogs.org/100/110/110.htm

These are just a few of them.
Nicole

**animal_rescue** · 02-21-2007, 05:38 PM

Maggie is an unregistered Psychiatric therapy dog for me.

I get really paranoid, panic attacks, hysterical sometimes, ect... and when I am Maggie is right there with me through it all. She'll lick me, distract, lay with me, do anything she can do to calm me down and make me happy or atleast give me some comfort and a friend.

Maggie's one of a kind who knows me in and out, I'd without a doubt trust her with my life.

**cassiesmom** · 02-21-2007, 05:52 PM

Sheena's vest says Do Not Touch - so - I'll follow that instruction, would you give her a big pet for me? She's beautiful!

Whoops, I deleted accidentally! Let me un-delete as best I can. The pup-in-training only barked once. That was before church, the pastor was making some announcements. The pup and handler had stopped and a man came in who uses a power wheelchair. The way he stopped beside the pup, he couldn't turn fully to see that the pup was there. The pup did exactly what you'd expect - got up, moved and barked! We were all surprised because he never, ever barks.

When she first got him there was a "blurb" in the bulletin explaining why he was with her, the program, its goals. There were people who had asked why she had been bringing a dog to church, even though he was wearing his training jacket. The last section of it was What You can Do to Help. It was things like - you may be permitted to pet me if you first ask the person who is holding my leash; I am generally not allowed to have a piece of doughnut during the coffee hour; when you see me, I am working so please keep that in mind; please be careful walking or pulling a chair away from a table when I am near. That sort of thing. He won everyone over - kids, older people and everybody by his willingness to learn. He's almost finished with this piece of his training and we will all miss him a ton when he goes on to the more formal program that comes next. But, we all hope he will have learned everything he needs to complete the program and assist a disabled person in the future.

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 05:55 PM

That is so wonderful. I can understand why he will be missed but he will be enriching someones life and giving them back a sense of independance. What your friend has done is so wonderful it is beyond words.
Nicole

**NicoleLJ** · 02-21-2007, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by cassiesmom

Sheena's vest says Do Not Touch - so - I'll follow that instruction, would you give her a big pet for me? She's beautiful!

Sure no problem. LOL. One of Sheena's favorite things in the summer is after Church, before we walk home, I will take her outside and take her vest off. Then tell her to go visit. She of course is still attached to me via the leash but this way all the kids(and adults too) who had fullow the rules no matter how hard it was get a chance to admire her. She is a kid Addict so it is a reward for her too. lol
Nicole