Monday, April 25, 2011

What is your experience with service dogs?

We have received these comments via our Facebook page.  Please share your stories with us.

21 comments:

  1. i looked into getting a service dog but the wait is long. Its been two years.
    I adopted a pit/ lab mix who is six months old. How can I get her trained/ certified?
    I live in Phoenix, originally form NYC.
    The emotional support of a dog has been priceless. I heard that some people have dogs certified as "emotion companion " dogs.
    Can you help me find. A place locally to help train my pup.
    So far i am training her to open doors, sit before we cross streets, get me my keys.
    I am ambulatory so far dx'd in '86 but I have spinal deterioration at 63 I want to train her for future needs too.
    Whatever I can do to help you, I certainly will do.

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  2. Michelle wrote: "I have a little puppy toy group and he makes me so happy just having a compainion shuz-tuz 12 wks old but smart lettle guy named teddy, or ted when he grows. lol I have Ms and just having a buddy is improving Quaity of life"

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  3. Danielle wrote: "Our pup Frank is a little bit too intellectually challenged to be of much service, but she definitely enhances my quality of life. Every home needs a wagging tail around... :0)"

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  4. Kate wrote: "I know this to be true as my sister-in-law who also has MS has a Dog For the Disabled, I have Judi's retired DFD who although no longer a working dog, does help me in the house and is a wonderful companion and is very happy with my other retriever and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel I also have a dear friend fin the Midlands who still has her retired dog Magic as well as her new Dog for The Disabled"

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  5. Kristin wrote: "Getting a service dog was the best thing I ever did for dealing with my MS!!!"

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  6. Sabina wrote: "Cool I hope one day to get a service dog to help with MS issues"

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  7. Andrea wrote: "Great info - thanks Joanne. I want him to be able to fetch things because when I bend down for more than a few seconds I fall. Since I drop stuff all the time (no hand strength) that would really be a hlep to me. I'm not all that worried about taking him places with me - he can be home alone when I'm out as he always is. I just don't know how to train him to pick stuff up and bring it and drop it."

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  8. Ian wrote:
    "I've jumped the first 2 hurdles OK and am now waiting for an assistance dpg. Can't wait till I'm head of the queue!"

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  9. Ian wrote:
    "I've jumped the first 2 hurdles OK and am now waiting for an assistance dpg. Can't wait till I'm head of the queue!"

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  10. hello, i read about your reseach on facebook. i left you a message. i use a service dog for my postraumatic stress disorder. i know its not at all the same thing. but my dog has saved my live. i had not went out for at least 3-6 month except for the dr. appointement,i stop eating, he would come and tell me if there was someone at the door, (he just stand in front of me) time to go out, he sit at the door., when it was time for me to get out of bed, he lick my face till am sick of his licking. i was terrified of going outside. after 2 month he had succeded to walk me a whole corner. its my dog who was taking me outside. if i can help you in anyway.

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  11. Marie Claire wrote: "i have a service dog for my post traumatique stress disorder.its been 4 years now. my recovey has been exceptionnal. its only known and accepted as treatment in belgique and france, its coming gradually to Canada. my specialist had to train me to train my dog, it was the only hope for me to recove."

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  12. I want to very much have a companion to share and spend time with. We have had many animals in the past. I want one actually I need an animal. They have been and will be a very large importance to my life. I general thought is that there is only three things important to me. They are not necessary in this order: MY Wife, Son, Grand kids(and I generally don't see my Son and Grand kids that often unfortunately) and my four legged companion.

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  13. Kelly wrote: "how much are these dogs? my gf paid 900.00 for heres..she had fund raiser things to get the money together..does the MS society help in any way with that?"

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  14. I too have MS. I do not list it on facebook. I would like to like to friends. I am from Brooklyn NY. I now an in North Caroilna.
    Take good care,
    Elyssa :)

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  15. I have ms am interested in info for training my dogs to be service dogs for my ms limitations early. Balance.

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  16. "my gfs daughter has Fredericks Ataxia..needs a balance dog..the girl is tall so they got her a great dane and this dog lets her lean on him for balance and never wavers..its incredible to watch..and no silliness till she says ok..HE IS WORKING! great!"

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  17. I have been thinking about a service dog to help me out for a while now. I have had Multiple Sclerosis for 12 years now and I have 3 kids. My husband is in the Air Force and currently deployed. I need someone or something to motivate me because I just can't seem to get up or clean my house all the time and I am just tired and depressed. I think a service dog would help me and I hope also be a great dog around my kids too.

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  18. I do support service dogs for MS. I once met a lady wheel chair bound because of MS. Her and her husband trained Great Danes to be MS specific service dogs.
    Can you help me with the final testing, my big one who is a shepered/ lab mix is almost ready, so is Latka the puggle but her training is different of course.

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  19. Hello Joanne,
    Thank you so much for accepting my friend request. I love what you are doing. I have Not trained a dog to assist with MS. I am very interested in learning more about he special needs and how dogs are best used for this task.
    If I can help in any way, please let me know. Good luck with your venture.
    Best to you,
    Tom

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  20. Amy wrote:
    "Joanne, Check out the post on my wall- I've learned of 4 people who benefit by those helpful pups.I will also share your post!"

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  21. Joanne,
    I see that you have someone in the Phoenix area that needs help with training a dog. I reacently started a group that is owner/trained sd's. We meet once a week and work on sd training. They can contact me through facebook. I have trained 3 dogs for my self and currently have a dog that is getting ready to go to a soldier with ptsd. I also have ms and know the struggles that people go through and I would not know what life would be like without my sd

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