Things You Might Not Know about Service Dogs

I thought it might be fun to post some facts about service dogs that aren't real well known.

Did you know?

• Any breed of dog can be a service dog.  While golden retrievers, labs, and German shepherds are perhaps most commonly used, any breed can be a service dog, including small breeds.
• Service dogs can help people with many different kinds of disabilities, including visual impairments, hearing impairments, physical disabilities like trouble walking, autism, seizure disorders, and psychological disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia. 
• Service dogs are not required to wear any kind of special vest or harness.  Many do, some because the special harness helps the handler (like a special harness used for someone that needs a service dog to help with balance), and some just because it reduces the likelihood of access disputes when going into a public place that doesn't allow pets, but it's not required by law.
• Service dogs don't have any special rights under the law.  It's the person with a disability that has special rights, like the right to take their service dog into a store or restaurant.  It's a small but important distinction.
• It is a violation of federal law for a business owner or manager to ask a person with a service dog what kind of disability they have or to ask to see documentation proving the dog is a service dog.  They are only allowed to ask two questions: Is that a service dog required due to a disability?  And what tasks is the service dog trained to perform?
• It takes about 18 months to train a service dog.
• In most places, people with service dogs are required to obey laws that say dogs have to be on leashes and that people have to pick up their dog's poop.

Great Idea for Dogs That Don't Like Bath Time

You all probably know Isaac does not like bath time one bit, and he's certainly not the only dog that feels that way.  I bribe him to get into the tub with bits of hot dogs, which he thinks are the greatest food in the world.  He gets a couple bites for getting into the tub, then I wet him down, then give him another bite of hot dog, then soap him up, then give him another bite of hot dog, then rinse him off and let him out of the tub, and reward him with a couple more bites.

Well, today I came across a great idea for doggies that don't like bath time and I can't wait to try it with Isaac.  You know what  Easy Cheese is?  It's that squirt cheese in a can.  Kinda like Cheese Whiz, but you squirt it out of a can.  It's not even real cheese, I don't think; it's some sort of "processed cheese food."  But it tastes good.  It's yummy on Triscuits.

Anyway, here's what you do.  Squirt a little design of Easy Cheese on the bath tub wall and let your doggie lick it off while he's getting his bath.  Isaac loves cheese and I'm sure he would fine that to be a good reward for getting in the tub, plus it would keep him busy for at least part of his bath time.  With the hot dogs, he swallows a piece in about half a second.  But it would take him a little time to lick off all the cheese.

Still Need Help with Medical Bills for Injured Dog

Cash had surgery two days ago. He had to have a metal plate put in his jaw and his jaws are basically wired shut for four to six weeks. During that time, he can only eat very soupy wet food and is not allowed to play with any toys that involve chewing (which is almost all dog toys, of course). He will have to have at last one more operation later on to remove the metal plate when his jaw has healed. Thanks to everyone that has donated so far, and if you haven't donated yet, please do. Even a few dollars will help.

 http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/injured-service-dog-needs-your-help-/71268

Saving Money on Service Dog-Related Expenses

Service dogs are expensive.  All dogs are, really.  But in addition to things like food, toys, and veterinary care, service dogs require training, vest, other special gear, maybe other things pet dogs don't require.  They are expensive.  And people with disabilities often, though not always, live on rather limited incomes.  So how does someone afford a service dog?

Here are my tips for saving money on service dog-related expenses.  Many of these tips can help you save money even if your dog is not a service dog, though.

• Feed your dog a good quality food.  It doesn't have to be the most expensive food on the market, but don't go for the cheapest food available, either.  Paying a bit more up front for a quality dog food will save you money in the long run because your dog will be healthier.  Shop around for the best price on the food you decide to feed your dog.  
• Use coupons.  If you contact manufacturers of dog food and dog treats, they will often send you coupons if you just ask.  You can also get coupons on many manufacturers' websites (Purina has lots of coupons available on their website for dog and cat food and treats, for instance) and one their facebook pages.
• Check dollar stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar for dog treats.  They carry many brands and they are much cheaper there than at pet stores.
• Invest in quality dog toys, like those by Kong and Nylabone.  They cost more up front but last a long time, saving you  money in the long run.
• Take your dog to the vet yearly for a check up and vaccinations.  You'll save money in the long run by keeping your dog healthy.
• Ask local vets if they offer, or will offer, a discount for service dogs.  If your dog is not a service dog but a service dog in training, an emotional support animal, or a therapy dog, go ahead and ask if local vets will offer a discount for that.  If your dog is simply a pet but you're on disability, ask if they will offer any type of discount.  (Isaac gets free office visits and free "labor" from his vet; I pay for medication, vaccines, medical supplies, stuff like that, but the vet works for free when he sees Isaac).
• Ask vets if they will offer a discount if you have more than one pet or if you pay for more than one thing at once.  For instance, the vet I take my cats to (not Isaac's vet) offers a discount on flea prevention if we buy several months' worth at once.  It costs more up front but saves money in the long run. 
• Groom your dog yourself if you can.  It's much cheaper than paying a groomer.  If you need to take your dog to a groomer, ask local groomers if they will offer a discount for service dogs.  Also ask if they will offer a discount if you pay for several grooming sessions up front; for instance, if your dog needs to be groomed once a month and you pay for six months up front, will they offer a free grooming session after that?  Pay more up front, save in the long run (see a pattern here?).
• Walk your dog yourself if you can.  It's much cheaper than paying a dog walker.  If you need to hire a dog walker, it will probably be cheaper to post an ad on Craig's List or something like that than to hire a pet sitting service, but the person you hire from Craig's List may not be as reliable as a pet sitting service.  In my experience with Isaac, I've found college students to be the most reliable and they are willing to do the job for a reasonable fee (I pay $15 for a 45-minute run).

Need Help with Medical Expenses for Injured Service Dog in Training

Cash is a ten-month-old service dog in training.  Last night some relatives of his handler took him outside, without the handler's knowledge or consent, not on a leash, and he was hit by a car and injured.  Frightened and hurt, he ran into the woods.  After searching for him all night, he was finally found today.  He has multiple cuts and infected insect bites, is dehydrated, and has a broken jaw.  He needs surgery by a specialist to treat the broken jaw.

I think the relatives that let him out should be footing the bill, but apparently people that aren't responsible about not letting someone else's dog outside are also not very responsible about paying for that dog's medical bills when the dog gets injured after they let it outside.  Go figure.

Anyway, the dog's handler needs help to cover the medical bills.  If you're able to help at all, here's where to do it: http://www.youcaring.com/pet-expenses/injured-service-dog-needs-your-help-/71268

I gave something, and if I can afford it, you can, too.