What about the Search and Rescue dogs?

You say that the Service animals require no "formal" training, but I thought the training for the blind was very formal. My neighbor said that she raised Goldens, and would select her very best to train to prepare it for the formal training that the dog would receive for helping the blind.

Also what category are the drug dogs in? They bring those into our school, and most of them are huge.

I appreciate the information, but am curious and would like more. At our "Blessing of the Animals" ceremony at church was a woman with a blood hound. He wore an orange vest, and so did she. They had on almost the same uniforms.

Sammy

"Per the ADA, a Service Animal does not have to provide ID. The owner of a service animal does not have to disclose his/her specific disability."

This is awesome... Hawaii here we come!

Thanks Sammy and Quirky for responding.

Sammy, thanks for identifying a whole different fourth category -- those wonderful "working" dogs! Search and Rescue dogs, drug, bomb, arson, law enforcement dogs, are actually a whole other and very important category. I admit to narrow vision here, but I was focused on trying to establish the distinction among Service, Therapy dogs and "Fluffy" the adorable pet. I forgot the working dog.

Quirky: I'm sorry but I did not understand your Hawaii reference.

"Service" or, if you prefer "Assistance" dogs (with apologies to all the other service animals that are now being trained) serve the disabled, although they can certainly be said to "work."

I think, historically, that the very first official service/assistance dogs were "guide dogs" for the blind. As such, the training programs for guide dogs are very well established and supported.

Then people gradually realized that animal talents could assist those with other disabilities as well.

So, in no particular order, people began to train "hearing" dogs, seizure alert, diabetic alert dogs, mobility assistance or balance dogs, etc, etc . . . These programs are getting more recognition every day.

Most training facilities are 501(C)3 Charitable organizations. Some Correctional Facilities are also doing great work, but sadly, the demand for these trained dogs is larger than the numbers of animals available, and the cost of "official training" is enormous. Also the range of disabilities is very wide.

In addition, some animals need to develop a bond with the owner before they can "alert." Thus, a family pet *can* become an assistance/service animal in the face of an owner having or developing a disability.

Thus, and I support this, the ADA description of a Service Animal has flexibility and does not require an "official" certification. Many people with disabilities who depend on service animals actually do carry an MD's prescription with them to save grief if they are challenged. They are not required to do so, and should not have to disclose the specific disability, visible or not. Why should they?

As I said, my dogs are Therapy Dogs who visit people with disabilities. They spread joy where they visit and we did a lot of training to get where we are. However, they do not go where they are not allowed, because they are not Service Dogs and I do not have a disability. I wanted to establish that, as someone in the other thread seemed not to understand the difference.

Does that clarify matters at all?

I appreciate the subject, the message, and the respectful tone.

A fellow teacher wants me to continue training my year old Golden, so that we can visit nursing homes together. I have always thought that those visitations would be a wonderful way to give back to society since I feel so grateful for the blessings that I have.

It is wonderful to walk your dogs, and see the love in your neighbors' eyes as you pass. Dogs are a wonderful way to communicate.

I am so glad that you introduced this thread.

I wonder where the woman is who was asking about her new man friend and her Search and Rescue dog. She posted a couple of weeks ago.

Sammy

"Yes, this does mean that a Service Animal may perhaps invade the space of an allergic person. I'm not sure whether this has been challenged to date. It is an interesting question."

An allergy (or asthma) can rise to the level of a disability covered under the ADA. In that case, the employer, school, restaurant, etc., is required to accomodate BOTH people (the person with the service dog and the person with the breathing difficulty). I don't think itchy eyes would rise to the level of a disability, but allergic asthma likely would.

In my experience, businesses prefer to accomodate the person with the dog (service or pet) over the person with the allergy. People that do not have severe allergies are not aware of how limiting they can be.

I love dogs and wish I could have one. But I am part of the 15% of the population with a fur allergy and probably am in the top 5% re: level of dog allergy (according to my allergist). I am medicated 100% of the time because it is impossible to avoid animal dander. I still get severely ill, depending on the dog and the level of interaction, but I rarely need to visit the emergency room. I am lucky that I have good health insurance. My prescriptions total close to $400 per month.

I have never encountered a service dog in a restaurant. If I did I would ask the restaurant to change my table. I worry more about the airplane scenario, where it is not as easy to change seats and it is more difficult to get the necessary distance between me and the dog. It is really a worst case scenario - closed space, recirculated air, etc.

I worked with a woman who had a service dog. We did not work closely, so I did not seek accomodation from my employer. We did not sit near each other and rarely were in meetings together. I explained the situation to her so she understood why I would sit on the opposite side of the room from her in meetings. Her golden was one of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen, but if I sat near him he would lick my ankles. She ended up switching dogs (keeping him as a pet). So many people stopped to admire the dog that it would become distracted.

Thanks for the sweet responses, Sammy and Sue36.

Sammy, I'd love to discuss the joy we get from our Therapy Dog work more and give you some pointers on getting certified. It does take courage to post here, but perhaps I should take a few deep breaths and start a whole other thread on Therapy dogs. We love our volunteer activities.

Sue36: you are so right and so balanced in your response. Yes, severe allergiesdefinitely qualify under the ADA.

Conflicting ADA needs must be a nightmare for HR, but these days can surely be managed. You managed an accomodation with your colleague with the service dog beautifully, without involving HR. You are a person after my own heart.

You did say one thing that really bothered me though: Quote: "In my experience, businesses prefer to accomodate the person with the dog (service or pet) over the person with the allergy."

Businesses should NEVER EVER accommodate a pet at the expense of others. That is why the minority of people who want to pass off their pets as service animals makes me see red! No one should ever misrepresent their animal as a service animal unless they have a genuine disability.

I'll step off my soap box now!

Gillian and the Therapy Dog Greyhounds

Hawaii here we come........
as in my service dogs (not really) can fly on airplanes now that I know nobody can ask for proof they really are service dogs. Not to mention finding a hotel that accepts dogs can be a pain. No longer a need to bother doing that when my dogs are service dogs. We can stay in any hotel we want thanks to the ADA.

Actually, I think they can ask to see where the dog was trained. Service dogs are indeed trained at various reputable institutions (the Seeing Eye, Canine Companions for Independence, etc.). My friend, whi is blind and works with a guide dog, often has to produce papers affirming that the dog is a Seeing Eye trained dog.

Often real service dogs wear recognizable vests, unlike the pets of people who are just using the system.

I must say, QQ, your response disgusts me. I know a number of people who train service dogs for handicapped people, and I know 2 people who use service dogs. They do wish they could fly to Hawaii with the option of not being paired always with a dog. Unlike you.

Not so nice to joke about people's disabilities and their reliance on dogs to help them with their lives.

QQ, The ADA does not apply to airplanes, there is a separate law for that. The airline can ask extensive questions regarding the dog, what it does, what it can do, it's training, etc., in order to ascertain whether the dog is actually a service animal.

But of course, quirky was typing in jest....

LOL quirky. First Starbucks then Hawaii!!

Oh there goes that awful disgusting quirky again. Bashing and belittling everyone in his midst.
Is it because people hold me in such high regard that when I say something mildly off-color that it causes such an uproar?

Sigh....... so much for hawaii . I better go take off this flowered shirt and unpack my bags.

So how can I find out more about training my GR to be a therapy dog. I am a stay at home mom and would love to volunteer like that!

gillianma, I was curious about the mental health service dogs? Can you explain the situations such dogs are used? Someone posted on the dog in restaurant thread about "psychiatric" service dogs, but no info came to light. I've never heard of a service dog used in this capacity.

TIA.

Autistic children need these dogs sometimes. They are the only creatures with whom they will really bond and get real comfort from. North Star specializes in training dogs for children with autism.

Here is a link that might be useful: North Star Dogs

I've read articles about the mental health dogs. One was about a lady that for some reason had a tremedous fear of even leaving her house. To the point that it interfeared with her being able to hold a job or function normally. Don't remember how it developed. But the dog gave her the confidence and security to be able to go out and function again. Also saw a show, I think it may have been The Dog Whisperer where a lady had a similar problem but her little dog was becoming aggressive and she got Cesar's help so the dog could pass the certification test it needed too.

Rosegarden look up the Delta Society's web site. It will explain everything about getting your dog certified as a therapy dog and also give you contacts in your area where you can take their certification program. It is very rewarding. I had a Greyhound that was a therapy dog.

Lisa

Gillianmama, thanks for the clarifications.

Rosegarden3, depending on where you are located, there are several other excellent Therapy Dog organization: Therapy Dogs, International and Therapy Dogs, Inc. I have two therapy dogs, and it is a wonderful program. Good luck.

Quirky,I thought it was funny...some people just need to lighten up a little. It's only a forum,not like you were serious.

Thanks for your support plastic garden.

I should know better than to make jokes about that though I am preparing my boys for certified therapy dog training and I know it is hard work.

I had made a joke about me saying a dog was a therapy dog so I could have one in the other thread (because the place I live at does not permit dogs) Obviously I'd never do that either,but no one jumped in my case about it.

I'm sure it's hard work and people who really need them should have them.

Hello, it is me again. I started the thread. I'm sorry to have posted and then gone incommunicado, but I had a nasty motherboard problem. Eeeek! But I am now back online.

I am very, very grateful to those who stepped in to answer questions. I hope you all don't mind if I do some quick clarifications under headings to save time, rather than respond to each individual.

Therapy Dogs (TDs):

Delta, TDI and Therapy Dogs Inc. are all great. The 14 point test on Delta's site is a very good example of what a TD must be able to do. If you want to volunteer as a TD team, you might want to get a CGC first. It is a good basis.

If chapters of the above organizations are not in your area, please do not give up hope, but do a google search for Therapy Animal Groups in your state. There are smaller organizations, and some hospitals are beginning to start their own groups. I do advise joining a TD organization that offers training, ongoing support and, most importantly, insurance in these litigious days. Please don't try it on your own.

We get huge enjoyment from our TD work. We also know we do good. We do both "social visiting" and "Animal Assisted Therapy". The first is just pleasant visiting, the second is working with a medical or educational team to achieve identified goals.

So, we do regular volunteer visits at: an elementary school Reading Program, an Assisted Living, an Alzheimers Unit, and a residential facility for the severely Develpomentally Delayed. We also do Hospice on request. One of my dogs is a natural TD, and does most of the harder Animal Assisted Therapy work. The other I never expected to pass the test (!) but she has a huge affinity with seniors, and is amazingly understanding of those with dementia. She has totally exceeded my expectations and is enormously loved.

Mental Heath Service Dogs:

Autism and severe Anxiety Disorders have been mentioned above. Yes, and yes! Northstar is an exellent example of training service dogs for autistic people. I'd also add ADHD to that list. Sometimes petting a dog helps people to focus on the task at hand.

Finally, Service Dog training:

I did not mean to imply that there are not many wonderful training facilities for service animals. And the larger organizations provide valuable documentation.

I do think that it is important to acknowledge that not all legitimate service animals have certification from *known* organizations. To date, there is no federally recognized training or certification for service animals.

Some may disagree, and as I said it leaves things open to abuse, but this is a good thing IMO, for the individual who has a well trained animal bonding to them, and for smaller groups just starting up.

Most people whose service animal is self-trained, carry a prescription from an MD for a service animal. That is usually accepted as documentation. In addition, most make sure the animal in question is well trained.

Finally, Quirky and plasticgarden, I am very glad that you were joking. I did not find the jokes in particularly good taste, but that is because I work with and volunteer with so many disabled people. Possibly I should lighten up. But I would prefer not to.

Quirky, and others considering it, best of luck with TD training. I'm sure you will all love volunteering.

All the best.

I'm not disabled but I do have depression and anxiety and have for most of my life. That's why I was curious about to what extent do people get these therapy dogs for.I honestly have never heard of one until now.
I wasnt referring to the service dogs.

Plasticgarden, do you have a dog or cat? Just having an animal can be therapy in itself. Being able to pet an animal sort of moves your emotions to a new dimension, and allows you to escape those feelings that are difficult to handle.

My daughter loves her cats and feels that they are therapy for her. Cats are not my thing, but I have that feeling about dogs.

I think it is important that you see how the dog or cat is rather than to have high expectations, and try to train an animal to suit your needs.

Sammy

Plasticgarden,

I'm sorry you are going through the anxiety and depression and that your building does not allow dogs.

Sammy hit the nail on the head, and I think from skimming a couple of other threads you already have a cat? I hope your cat is helpful. There is nothing like petting soft fur and hearing a purr to lower anxiety. Therapy animals come in many shapes and forms -- I am aware of a ferret who does therapy visits. It is the comfort the individual gets from the animal that is important.

If you want Therapy Dog visits check with your building manager to see if visiting Therapy dogs are allowed. Then try contacting some of the organizations we have mentioned, and doing a search for other TD organizations in your area. One of them should be able to put you in touch with a team. Our group does many visits to individuals.

A TD is essentially a family pet whose owner has decided that the pet is loving and outgoing. The owner has decided to share that love with others so trains and certifies the dog. They vist as trained handler/dog teams

I should also mention that our group has a waiting list a mile long. We are all volunteers and most of us have day jobs. We all try to recruit other potential TD teams as fast as we can because there is a clear need for puppy love, even if it is only for 30 minutes!

Good luck!

Requirements for "therapy dogs/animals" varies considerably from little to no training to the fairly strict and tested. It all depends on your locale, city, town and the facility. Some seniors homes let anyone come in with their dog or animal to visit. More and more though all these facilities, hospitals etc want some sort of "guarantee" and "security checks" that the animals that are coming in are safe, clean, vet checked and sociable to a fault including the handler. I belonged for numerous years to a program first started by the SPCA, many applied few were chosen the first go round of testing because of something the dog failed in his testing. Here are some of the things they tested for and your dog will fail instantly.
1.The tester asks, cajoles, sweet talks your dog to jump up and give kisses and the dog does.. instant fail. The therapy dog must NEVER jump up on a person, NEVER.
2.The tester yanks on the dogs tail fairly hard while the dog isn't expecting it..ie preoccupied with someone else. If the dog turns with teeth, or even gets overly startled, instant fail.
3.An unknown dog is brought in to a very small room where you are standing with your dog at a sit and the tester is watching. Your dog must ignore the other dog and remain sitting. The slightest agression when another dog comes up to yours, curled lip, anything, you fail.
4. The tester will roll your dog over on his back and poke, prod everywhere and the dog cannot be in anyway aggressive.

Why so strict? Because these organizations are only "one bite" away or "one knocked over resident/patient" away from a lawsuit that could shut the program down. Even if it's an accident or some resident provoked the dog somehow.

Ours was a very strict organization, all volunteers have police checks, everything is documented.
I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it and always looked forward to taking my dog. We did an old folks home one night a week and both the psyciatric ward and the palliative ward at at hospital on the opposing week. Often as not if I was driving by the seniors home I'd stop in with him for unannounced visits because he was treated like royalty by many of the old ladies. And he knew their rooms too, where they kept their stash of cookies etc.

"you already have a cat? I hope your cat is helpful. "

Not really,LOL. I love my cat and he has lots of personality,but he only likes love on his time. He hates to be held,and even petting him sometimes will result in a bite or swat.I think he thinks he is more human than kitty.
He was abused as a kitten from the family we got him from~so obviously it isnt his fault and that is why we still keep him.
He also hates all other cats with a passion.
That's why I want a dog so much because my cat doesnt give much affection :(

Thanks for the info on Therapy Dogs. I will start looking right away.

Those of us who know QQ understand when he is joking. He is getting used to newbies jumping at him for his jokes. The rest of know him as a compassionate advocate for proper care for animals who is often irritated by the neglect he sees around him. I have a similarly misguided sense of humor, so I can relate!

I have found a huge difference in what the different therapy organizations expect from the therapy dogs. I once started the process with my late Megan. We got the CGC and then ran into a scheduling conlict with the therapy organization. I worked Thursday nights and that was the night they met and worked with the dogs and visisted the nursing home. So we never did get involved. I did take her with me to the nursing home where I worked a few times and she did well.

You know that He is joking! QQ is a he! I wonder why that never occurred to me that he is a he. I am a she with Sammy spelled with a "y", but for some reason I thought he was a she. This is very interesting to me since men and women do not look at situations in the same way ----often.
This gives me an entirely different perspective.

Sammy