Service Dogs 101: Information on Service Dogs
What is a service dog?
Service dogs, assistance dogs, and alert dogs can help make life easier for people with disabilities.
Some of the disabilities in which dogs are trained to aid in are:
Mobility issues (including Paralysis)
Sensory issues (Blindness, hearing loss, etc)
Diabetes (Diabetic Service Dogs)
Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders (Seizure Alert Dogs)
Autism (Autism Service Dogs)
Stability (Wheelchair Assistance Dogs)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD Service Dogs)
Psychiatric Disorders (Psychiatric Service Dogs) - Trained to service those who are diagnosed with major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder, social phobia, Alzheimer’s Dementia, and Schizophrenia.
What do service dogs help with?
A service dog aids individuals with limitations in their day-to-day routine in life. Some of the basic tasks they can provide are:
Retrieve medication and other items
Open doors and cabinets
Pick up a phone
Alert authorities
Turn on and off lights
Alert owner to seizures
Alert owner to changes in blood sugar
Find keys
Take off shoe and socks
Carry groceries or laundry
Assist with walking
Alert owner to sounds (doorbell, phone, etc)
Pick up mail
Provide companionship
Although trained to perform this basic tasks, each dog is trained specifically to fit their owner’s personal needs.
Service dogs are protected under US federal law
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an individual with a disability is entitled to a service dog to help them live their lives normally. The ADA protects disabled individuals by allowing them to bring their service dog with them to most places that the public is permitted, including restaurants, hotels, housing complexes, and even in air travel. Any dog can be a service dog and service dogs do not have to be professionally trained. The important thing is that the dog is trained to be a working animal and not a pet.
DID YOU KNOW: There are approximately 20,000 service dogs in the U.S., which includes 10,000 guide dogs.
(American Humane Association, U.S. Pet and Population Fact Sheet: source)
Identifying service dogs for the public and public knowledge
Often a service dog will be identifiable by a service dog tag or vest. This is to let the public know it is a service dog and not a pet. Airlines and other means of transport may require identification, such as ID cards/tags.
Living with your service dog
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives individuals the right to live with their service dog, regardless of any building or residences with a no pet policy. This is because a service dog is not considered a pet and is required for daily life functions/activities. Building managers or landlords may not refuse your service dog nor may they require you to submit any pet deposits or fees for your service dog. Hotels fall under the same policy.
Flying with your service dog
Same as living with your service dog, under the ADA law, airlines may not charge additional fees for having a service dog at their side, nor may they deny access.
Common service dog breeds
Labrador Retrievers
Golden Retrievers
Lab/Golden Retriever crossbred dogs
German Shepherds
Local Florida service dog training
Southeastern Guide Dogs is the standout organization as far as service dogs go:
Southeastern Guide Dogs has the distinction of being dually accredited by the two premier, global accreditation bodies: the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF) and Assistance Dogs International (ADI). Founded in 1982 in Palmetto, Florida, we employ the latest in canine development and behavior research to create and nurture partnerships between visually impaired individuals and extraordinary guide dogs. Southeastern Guide Dogs serves more than 450 graduates across the U.S. and continues to place more than 100 dogs each year into careers benefiting people with visual impairments and veterans. While receiving no government funding, we provide all of our dogs and services at no cost to recipients.
Visit their website at www.guidedogs.org
Spring Cleaning Regime for Pets & Pet Owners
Pets shouldn't be overlooked in spring cleaning. For pet parents, cleaning their pet's belongings may be obvious, but the importance of replacing other items may not be. That's where we come in!
Drop the winter weight
Many of us pack on a few pounds during the cold winter months, and chances are our dogs have too. If your dog is looking a little fuller these days it's time to talk to your veterinarian about a safe weight loss regimen for your dog. Try cutting back on treats that add calories to your dog's diet. Instead, try giving them baby carrots or plain green beans.
Grooming of the coat
Shedding increases in the springtime as dogs lose their winter coats. Make sure to brush your dog regularly. This will help keep the shedding under control, as brushing loosens and removes dead hair and dandruff from your dog’s coat.
Bedding refresh
Your pet probably spends most of its time indoors. Spruce things up by refreshing their favorite places, including their bed, kennel, or favorite napping spot. First, vacuum in and around the area to remove hair and dirt. Next, if they sleep in a plastic or wire crate, take it outside, hose it down and dry it thoroughly. Then, launder blankets or bedding, tossing and replacing any worn items.
Collars and leashes
Often these can be washed in a washing machine. Remember to place it in a garment bag to prevent tangling or damaging. Check collars and leashes for wear and tear and replace them when necessary.
Toy clean up
Throw away any toys that are permanently soiled, damaged, or simply ignored by your pet. Gather any plush toys and launder them so they’re fresh and fluffy again. Hand-wash any plastic or rubber toys, too. If your pet has lots of toys, you can rotate them weekly to keep your pet interested. You might also keep a set of durable, Kong-type or rope toys for outdoor playtime, and keep the soft, squeaky plush toys inside so they last longer. Unused toys can be rehomed to pets in need.
Double-check on medications
If you give your pet medications or supplements, go through everything and toss any that are old or have expired. Make sure you have an adequate supply of flea, tick, and heartworm preventative on hand. If you don’t, contact your veterinarian and stock up so you don’t run out. The cost of treating heartworm just once is the same as 7 years worth of heartworm prevention!
Go through the pet’s pantry
Check for expired canned-foods and treats. Now is also a good time to make note of food and treats your pet does love and restock. Don’t forget to wash the bowls and dining area of your pet!
Restock first aid kit
A first aid kit should include hydrogen peroxide and antibacterial ointment among other items. Replace any missing or expired items so you’re prepared for the warmer days ahead!
Use natural cleaning solutions
As you’re cleaning other areas in your home, remember to keep toxic supplies and chemicals well out of reach of your pet. Consider using natural cleaning solutions like baking soda or vinegar and water.
Call your vet or the Animal Poison Hotline right away if you suspect your pet has ingested any toxic or potentially toxic substance.
Animal Poison Hotline: 1-888-232-8870
($35.00 charge per incident)
The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Scoop the poop
If you have a backyard where your dog gets to roam freely, do a thorough clean-up of the feces before you take that lawnmower to the grass and cause yourself quite the mess and stress of a clean-up.
Easter and Springtime Hazards for Dogs and Cats
Easter and springtime decorations (and edibles) liven the scenery, but also pose a potential hazard to pets. Who knew that plastic Easter grass could be dangerous, even deadly?
With spring comes spring cleaning and surveying the area for any potential hazards to your pets. It's better than the alternative of spending time and money at the veterinary hospital. Here are a few tips to help your clean up.
Easter Lily (and related Lily plants)
The Easter Lily is a common finding this time of year. This plant, and related plants in the lily family, are highly toxic to cats if ingested.
Symptoms
The first signs seen are vomiting and lethargy, and if untreated, may progress to kidney (renal) failure and death. Please call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your cat has eaten any part of a lily plant.
Another spring flower often used in cut flower arrangements, daffodils, are also toxic to cats.
For a more in-depth look on plant toxicity, read our article.
Easter Grass (or multi-colored tinsel)
Stringy things like Easter grass or tinsel at Christmas, pose a deadly threat if ingested, creating something called a Linear Foreign Body.
Symptoms
The first noticeable signs, aside from the material being visible from the mouth or anus, are vomiting or straining to defecate and a painful abdomen.
!IMPORTANT! Trying to pull out visible grass or string is not recommended, as this can cause more damage if the piece is long and trapped far inside the body. Call your veterinarian if you suspect that your cat has sampled the Easter grass. While Linear Foreign Bodies are more common in cats, dogs may also ingest non-food material, and the same rules apply.
Chocolate
This is typically more of a dog hazard, as many dogs have a sweet tooth, a great nose, and the determination to find chocolate — hidden or not, but cats may consume chocolate too.
The toxic components in chocolate are theobromine and caffeine, and the level of toxicity is based on the type and quantity of chocolate consumed. Different types of chocolate have different amounts of theobromine and caffeine; dark chocolate contains the highest concentrations and white "chocolate" contains the least.
Symptoms
Early clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea and trembling.
It is important to note that xylitol, an artificial sweetener used in many candies, chewing gums and baked goods, is potentially very toxic to dogs and ferrets.
For a more in-depth look on chocolate toxicity, read our article.
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