Service dog

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Suzi Q, a certified service dog, working in snow in Finland. She wears a colorful Service Dog ID vest and a waterproof coat with reflective markings.

A service dog is a type of assistance dog, specifically trained to help people who have disabilities other than visual or hearing impairment, or medical response dogs. Service dogs do not have to have pedigrees: desirable character traits, good conformation, and good health are more important. Service dogs are sometimes trained and bred by private organizations. In other cases, a disabled handler may train their own dog with or without the aid of a private dog trainer. It is preferable to call such a dog a "service dog" rather than an "assistance dog."

The Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) defines "service dog" under its broader definition of "service animal". "Service Animal" (ADA Subsection 36.104): "Any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, but not limited to, guiding people with impaired vision, alerting people with impaired hearing to intruders or sounds, providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, or fetching dropped items."

Contents

[edit] Training

[edit] Program-trained dogs

Many assistance dog organizations employ programs where future service dogs spend a year or more with a host family- particularly if the program breeds their own dogs or otherwise receives the dogs as puppies. During this time, they are primarily acclimated to working around people and all kinds of potential situations, as well as exposed to obedience training.

In addition, in the United States and Australia, use of selected inmates in prisons as animal trainers and puppy-raisers prove to be a valuable resource to service dog organizations. In addition to teaching the dogs basic obedience and other skills needed to prepare them for their future careers, such programs can be mutually beneficial. Often, the inmates develop improved socialization skills and behavior as a result of their work with the dogs. [1]

The process of obtaining a "program" service dog usually includes an application and evaluation process, after which potential handlers may spend time on a waiting list while a suitable dog is found and/or trained. Some dogs may be obtained free of charge, while a significant financial outlay may be required for others—financial assistance may or may not be offered. Once partnered, the new handler learns to work with the dog over a period of several weeks to a few months, depending on the tasks to be learned, and the personality and age of the dog/puppy. In addition, many service dogs are required to touch up their training after they are formally placed, on a yearly or otherwise regular basis.

[edit] Self-training

A growing number of people choose to train their own service dogs, because their needs may be unique. Service dogs come from a wide variety of places- from a breeder, or rescued from a shelter. Some owners choose a current, older pet that might become a suitable partner (particularly if they develop the ability to alert to a medical condition). Handlers sometimes choose to train the dogs themselves, while others may employ a professional trainer or organization that accepts handler-picked dogs to help. People who train their own dogs generally spend a year or more with the dog "in-training," though self-trained dogs in particular may never stop learning new skills. There are organizations that can provide training tapes and manuals for those who are unable to attend training sessions.

Typically, a puppy is selected for desired traits (intelligent, emotionally secure and stable, interested in cooperating with humans, self-confident, but not aggressive, responds to 'fetch' commands, etc.). The service dog-to-be goes to a puppy raiser, unless it can be raised at its intended final home. The puppy-raiser teaches the puppy basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, no, 'fetch' or 'leave it'. The puppy is usually neutered or spayed during this time period. Then it goes into specialized training with the desired owner. At schooling sessions, the dog learns special commands to fulfill its duties. Examples of such duties may include but are not limited to turning on lights, opening the refrigerator, opening/closing doors, retrieving objects dropped by the person it's working with, or retrieving requested objects.

If a disabled handler trains their own dog from puppyhood, bypassing a puppy raiser, it is advisable for the disabled person to obtain a puppy showing evidence of the desired traits, and to find a dog training facility that offers "Puppy Kindergarten", Basic Obedience, and a specialized service dog class for training of tasks needed by the disabled person. Internet help is also available, including training films. A puppy that can pass Guide Dog aptitude tests will usually make a fine service dog.

[edit] Accessibility

Service dogs are to be allowed to enter public places, with the same access rights afforded to Guide (Seeing Eye) dogs; therefore, service dog owners are expected not only to keep their companions up-to-date on all shots, but also to schedule "well dog" visits at least twice a year. While it is not unlawful to use a service dog without an identifying vest, it helps others to recognize the legally protected status of the service dog. Service dogs that travel on planes/trains to foreign countries can remain with their owners when the requisite paperwork is presented. All service dogs should have an implanted micro-chip recognized not only in the US, but also in the EU. Before travel, check national and local laws in other countries carefully (see more information, regarding travel, below).

Public accessibility of service dogs varies according to country and region. In the United States, service dogs and their handlers do enjoy special protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990[1], which gives them equal access to anywhere the general public is allowed, such as restaurants, grocery stores, movie theaters,taxis, and aircraft. A number of states have enacted specific laws to ensure the rights of handlers while in public. Persons with service dogs should not be required to pay 'pet deposits' nor be excluded from housing available to the general public (though damage done by a service dog is the responsibility of the owner). Nevertheless, it is advised to carry a card stating the rights of service dog owners, as listed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, including Internet and telephone numbers, should the dog's presence be put in question.

The access rights of service dogs and their owners to public places, including hospital stays, are slowly expanding: a service dog owner should stringently defend these rights for the sake of others in the same situation. It's smart to have a card printed up saying "Certified Service Dog," with the appropriate portions of the Americans with Disabilities Act quoted.

[edit] Travel Concerns

Travel into and through some countries means having to deal with religious beliefs and concerns. Some Muslim-driven taxis or restaurants may refuse service to someone with a dog; many Indian-owned restaurants also refuse service to anyone with a dog. Dogs may have to be caged/boxed when riding on public transport in Greece, outside of Athens or Rhodes. Most foreign grocery store managers in big cities will allow a service dog to accompany the owner if the dog is well-trained, but generally, the smaller the city, the less chance the service dog will be accepted. Thus, in the newer European Union countries, in particular, it may be useful to obtain a letter from a local authority that states the service dog is to be allowed into restaurants, theaters, etc. Laws change frequently: service dog owners should keep their knowledge up-to-date, and should actively support changes that help ease the current situation in many places even in the US, where service dogs' rights may not be recognized because "the owner isn't blind."

Health regulations vary from country to country regarding the entry of a dog. Be CERTAIN that you have an internationally recognized tracking chip inserted in your service dog, all the required immunizations, and, above all, that the rabies shots and titers are in place. This cannot be stressed enough. It can take up to a year to get all paperwork and immunizations and titer readings in order, and even then, travel papers should be signed, along with proof of worming, no more than 24 hours before departure, at a vet clinic. However, once all your papers are in order, travel becomes easier. For example, the service dog passport, once accepted in any EU country, is accepted in all the others. Caution: if you enter a country where rabies is extant, you may not be able to re-enter an EU country. Check all the quarantine and entry-exit requirements for every country you wish to visit. Very few service dogs travel due to these difficulties, and then there can be problems with hotels. Make reservations in advance with pet-friendly hotels.

When planning a trip, especially by air, several considerations must be kept in mind. For plane flights, try to choose the shortest time span, and check airport websites for pet relief stations. It's wise to train your service dog to urinate into a sewer grid, since so many airports have no relief stations for dogs. Make sure your service dog drinks plenty of water up to two hours before the flight, then withhold water until shortly before the plane is to land. Dehydration can be a problem for service dogs in flight, but so can a bulging bladder! In an emergency, flight attendants can provide newspapers, atop a plastic sheet, when long delays occur.

If you have a long trip involving different countries, you must make certain your dog can set paw on that country to relieve itself, and then be allowed to continue on to your next destination. Many airline websites don't have a way to reserve cabin space for a service dog, and many planes can take only one service dog or guide dog per flight, so care must be taken to inform the airline carrier of the need for a service dog well ahead of your planned departure date. It's easiest, when reserving a flight online, to choose the option 'blind' when reserving space for your service dog, and then to confirm by telephone the presence of the dog as a certified service dog, since prices online are typically lower than reservations made by telephone. Even after these precautions, always double-check to make certain your service dog will accompany you in the cabin.

For air travel, your service dog will probably be required to wear a flight harness that can be attached to a seatbelt during takeoffs and landings. Flight harnesses are also snapped to a seatbelt if heavy turbulence is encountered during a flight. For long/transoceanic flights, flight harnesses are generally removed for comfort. Your service dog should have a pillow to lie on for air flights or long bus rides. A bag containing the flight harness, pillow, emergency dog food, the dog's comb, and medical supplies should be allowed to travel free with your service dog in the same sense that an infant's bag of formula and diaper supplies is allowed on board without extra charge. Don't abuse this privilege: keep the bag as light as possible. Sometimes the owner needs to remind airline personnel that it is discriminatory to force a disabled person to be charged 'extra' for the bag needed to hold these necessary items, especially when the flight harness may be required, and flight delays may make a meal of dog food necessary. If the bag is labeled "Service Dog Necessities" and can be carried on board by the service dog, there are usually no problems. The bag can also be added to a wheelchair's pouches.

Service dogs in all advanced countries have been granted the right to ride public transport, including transport by plane, free of charge, but typically will only be provided the same space as the paying passenger—i.e. it may not take up a second space in addition to that of the paying passenger it is accompanying. Outside the US, sometimes surcharges apply on train systems. Some airlines have restrictions regarding travel to or from countries where rabies or other diseaees are not controlled.

The service dog's passport should be updated every six months by your vet even if you aren't traveling. It is easiest to have your dog 'in uniform' when traveling out of country. Remember that you have the legal right not to disclose why you need a service dog, for your own privacy, but if you travel outside your own country, a doctor's statement can be useful, especially if you travel alone.

A favorite toy, and a few days' supply of the dog's usual food helps your dog to adjust to new conditions. Playing a CD with familiar music also helps your traveling service dog relax in a hotel or unfamiliar place. One owner discovered that tuning in her TV to Animal Planet in the hotel room guaranteed relaxation for her service dog.

[edit] Retirement and Finding a Successor

 This article is written like a magazine article; it does not use the direct, balanced tone expected of an encyclopedia. Please discuss this issue on the talk page. Editing help is available. (June 2009)

Service dogs in good health might be able to be in service up to ten years, and will probably want to 'help' past their ability to do so. When your service dog begins to fail due to age, or illness, reduce the work load little by little, if possible, and try to bring in a young successor, if possible, before your service dog retires completely. It is usually easier to train a puppy who is brought into a home where an exising service dog is still working, as the puppy will often bond with the older dog and will learn from its example. To avoid depression and conflicts, the older service dog needs to be 'dominant' over the newcomer, being fed first, petted first, acknowledged first and so on. Remember that your retired service dog will still need daily exercise and significant interaction with you.As the population ages, more service dogs will be needed. Service dogs are working animals, and most should be retired from serious workloads at about ten years of age, or when the dog becomes physically incapable of fulfilling its duties.

[edit] Some Useful Commands for Service Dogs

Besides the ordinary commands of "sit," "stay" "fetch" "down" , etc., service dogs use particular sets of commands depending on the needs of their owners.

  • "Go, go" : Tells service dog to move forward, ahead of owner (Dogs that 'lead' must nevertheless understand that their owner is 'dominant.' Owner should, when possible, exit first and enter first. However, the service dog learns to ignore 'rank' when the command 'go, go" is given, and the service dog is then expected to lead.)
  • "Say hello"  : Used when Service Dog must allow approach and to allow itself to be petted, or patted down, such as in an airport terminal, when otherwise it would be in working mode
  • "Look left/look right" : reminds Service Dog to check road traffic both ways (important for vision impaired owner)
  • "Turn left/turn right" : tells Service Dog which way to turn
  • "Go home" : tells service dog to go home
  • "Open/Close" : tells Service Dog to tug or push doors
  • "On/Off" : tells service dog to turn lights on or off
  • "911/112" : emergency code (911 US,or 112 most of Europe), with one big-pad telephone square selected for fast-dial (single press)
  • "Go UNDER, and STAY" : service dog goes under table, counter, etc., out of sight. Useful in restaurants, at work
  • "Drink water." An important command, because service dogs can get quite thirsty while working. Before a long walk or trip out anywhere, command your service dog to drink water. Carry water with you when possible.

Other useful commands: "Get your leash" "Pick up!" "No bark!" "Stop!" "Good dog" is used for praise. Occasionally, food treats are given to reward hard work.

[edit] Recreation for Service Dogs

A service dog should have an area, such as a portable kennel or a bedded area under a desk, where it can rest and feel free from duty for a few hours a day. The jacket off is the usual signal that rest can be taken, but some service dogs must stay alert many hours, because their owner may be epileptic, or be subject to diabetic coma, etc. If the service dog is under that kind of pressure, it's good to have someone else available to take the service dog away from duty once a day (take the dog for a walk, play with the dog outside, take the dog for a ride, etc.). At this time, the service dog can interact with other dogs and people as would any other dog.
Service dogs, as do most intelligent dogs, like to play with balls and squeaky toys, and no doubt will have favorite toys and chewing exercise items that will need regular replacement. Some highly intelligent service dogs will find 'dog toys' boring and will prefer the same kind of sturdy, chew-safe toys that human babies and toddlers enjoy. Service dogs need defined periods of time when they do not have to be alert for their owners, even when traveling. Service jackets handily define "time on" and "time off" to the dog, or by designating a blanket or area where the service dog can rest and relax. [2] sit stay come down heel </ref>

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Furst, G: "Prison-based Animal Programs: Self-Reported Effects of Participation and Implications for Desistance", Prison Service Journal, 172, July 2007
  2. ^ "Suzi the Service Dog" also has her own "My Space" blog with photos of her travels, accomplishments, and friends. Suzi was one of the first service dogs in the world to enter Great Britain (which has very strict entry requirements in place) from the United States through all three major airports: Gatwick, Luton and Heathrow, and from thence into Europe, without any waiting period or time spent in quarantine. Her passport is said to be the first passport issued in the EU to a service dog, when companion animal passports were first printed in the EU (In The Netherlands Suzi was issued her "Passport Voor Gezelschapsdieren" in July, 2004). She was also the first service dog to enter Hungary on the EU companion animal passport, and the first service dog to get permission to enter Chichen-Itza in Mexico. Her owner is visually impaired and has memory problems due to a head injury.
    Most dogs have an excellent sense of smell and can be taught to lead the visually impaired to various food items.).

[edit] External links

[1.^ The online copy of The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990]

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