Service dog question

[RebelGSD]

A friend of mine woke up paralyzed from the waist down one morning. It is unclear what it is, maybe late onset MS, maybe autoimmune, maybe MS. She is in a wheelcheir right now and it is unknown to which extent she will improve.

She has three wonderful GSDs 6-8yrs old, they were her life. One she managed to rehome. Our rescue is keeping the dog she adopted from us until she knows whether she'll be able to care for her. She would like to train one of them as service dogs (she is very experienced). She was told that she cannot train her own dog and that service dogs have to be raised from puppy age. Any ideas or suggesstions for her? Her dogs are very bonded with her, have great temperaments and are well trained - they would do well as service dogs.

[Catu]

I'm not an expert, but even if she could train one of her own dogs, if the younger is 6, that sound like too old to me.

[AbbyK9]

Quote:She was told that she cannot train her own dog and that service dogs have to be raised from puppy age.

This is incorrect. Here's what the ADA says -

Quote:he ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. Guide dogs are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities

As long as the dog has been trained specifically to mitigate her disabilities and help her, the dog is considered a service dog. She can train her own dog, have a trainer help her, or have an organization train the dog. It all comes out to the same.

The dog also does not have to be trained and raised from a puppy to do service dog work in order to be a service dog.

What she needs to do is train the dog specific tasks that help with her disability - things such as picking items up from the floor, opening and closing doors, pulling her wheelchair, etc.

6 years is old to be starting this, as the dog will only have so many years of service for her left, but there's certainly no reason why she can't start this dog on helping her now and have him until he needs to be retired due to age or health.

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: Historian
The dog also does not have to be trained and raised from a puppy to do service dog work in order to be a service dog.

Don't know if they still do, but many organizations that train service dogs used to get then from the shelter. Breed and size don't matter it is all about a dog that is willing to do the "work".

[RebelGSD]

Thank you for the responses, I will let my friend know.
It is true that 6yo is not young, but she is committed to her own dogs rather than giving them away to get a young one. She may have to train a new service dog sooner than if she started with a young dog. I guess I would feel the same way if I were in her shoes.

[ILGHAUS]

The average time to train a SD is 18 to 24 months. If the dog has excellant obedience training and is rock solid on going out into the public as a "Pet" then additional training will of course be less time. But she must remember, trained tasks must be on something that must be done for her and not a task from a list just to pass this part of the requirements.

She must be able if needed to prove to a Judge that there is a need for this dog and that it is properly trained. In light of her disability, there is no doubt that a SD would be of great benefit to her. She must go into this being completly honest with herself that she is training the dog to be a working dog for her and not just a way to have the dog be with her as a companion during this traumatic event in her life.

Best of luck to your friend.

[RebelGSD]

Thank you for the info. The dogs have excellent obedience and they are very focused on her. My friend is an amazing lady, she is handling this situation with courage, commitment and amazing determination. I am sure she can accomplish what is needed if it is legally possible. Is there a test for service dogs? Who is the judge?

[AbbyK9]

Quote: Is there a test for service dogs? Who is the judge?

What state does your friend live in?

I believe most states do not require a test and there's no federal test to take, either. Some states issue "service dog" license tags, with proof that the dog is your service dog (such as a letter from the doctor). Some states require a public access test. I believe California, for example, does.

[RebelGSD]

Pennsylvania

[AbbyK9]

I would check with the state to see what their rules are regarding Service Dogs. I believe the Attorney General's office is the right place to call and ask? If I'm wrong, ILGHAUS will know.