Service Dogs
By Anna Press
WHAT IS A SERVICE DOG?
For the purposes of this article, whenever I refer to service dogs, I will use the masculine gender; referring to the dog as "he", because I do not feel it fair to label the dog as an "it". Service dog is a term that you have most likely heard, but may not completely understand. Service dog is an umbrella term of sorts, as underneath it fit other types of dogs. Some of these other types include: seizure dogs, mobility assist dogs and psychiatric service dogs. Service dog itself falls into another category of dog, called the assistance dog. There are three types of assistance dogs: service dogs, guide dogs and hearing dogs. (1) Service dogs can perform all sorts of duties; these include, but are not limited to: switching on and off light switches, fetching help, sitting on their owner, pressing a life line button to alert people about the owner's state.
It is difficult to say when exactly service dogs first came into being, because dogs have been providing various services for humans for centuries now. Nevertheless, the first established organization for assistance dogs was created for training guide dogs and was founded in 1916. It was called the German Association for Serving Dogs. (2) After that came dogs to aid people with hearing difficulties, and later still the service dog industry began to flourish. The first service dog organizations were only created in the 1980s, but at present there are 28 members of Assistance Dogs International worldwide (excluding U.S.A, which has more than 70 members throughout the country). (1) This industry has proven that it is here to say, due to the growing demand for service dogs around the globe.
IS A SERVICE DOG RIGHT FOR YOU?
Any pet is a huge responsibility, but a service dog entails even more, because he is not just a pet- he could be a life saver. Although owning a service dog is different to owning a pet dog, he still requires the same basic care: training, feeding, washing and so on. By the time that you obtain the service dog, he will have already lived with more than one person. A time line of the puppy's life would be explained like so: at 8 weeks of age the puppy is given to a foster family, with whom he stays until he is between 10 and 16 months of age, this is the point where he returns to the organization and undergoes specialized training (approximately 6 months' worth). Finally, after all of this, the service dog is prepared to move into his new home. Due to this inconsistency in living situations, he may react adversely when he first moves into your home. This could include things like excessive barking and/or chewing, but it should not last very long- just during the adjustment phase. It is very likely that this will not happen at all, considering that he is now a dog, and not just a puppy; he has been socialized and trained by the organization's trainer.
Again, a service dog is a huge responsibility. Once you obtain one (after all of his training at the organization), you still need to train him to perform certain tasks within your house, and allow him to become accustomed to these new surroundings. You need to be willing to react to the dog at a moment's notice; for instance, if the service dog needs to be let out, then there isn't very much time to hesitate, unless you want to clean up the mess left inside instead. As well, he is going to be accompanying you wherever you go, it is imperative that this is understood; nevertheless, most people say that after getting a service dog they feel as though they have regained their independence.
HOW OTHERS WILL REACT TO A SERVICE DOG
Many people may not realize what it is that a service dog does, or why it exists. These people may assume that you can react to it as you would to a pet dog- this is not the case. A service dog cannot be distracted; otherwise it will not fulfill its duties. Therefore different methods are used to make it obvious that this dog is not a pet, it is a working animal. Service dogs wear equipment to inform passersby of its purpose. For instance, service dogs usually wear harnesses, and have special leads. In addition, they will typically wear patches that say things such as, "Do not pet" or "Working Dog". It is difficult when the dog is around children; because many children cannot read or do not fully comprehend the danger of distracting this dog. It is hard to say "no" to a child, but it is imperative that you do. Wherever you are, if you are with your service dog you should always have the identification documentation to prove that he is, in fact, a working dog. Legally, if you show these documents, a business owner cannot turn you away. If you come across any resistance, a problem of any sort, feel free to contact the Human Rights Commission (their number is provided at the end of this article).
When you first start going outside with your service dog you may feel a bit uncomfortable as you are not used to people recognizing that you may have a disability. Also, you may sometimes encounter people who question your reasoning for having a dog. It is your decision what to say to them, if anything at all. Many people find it difficult to understand that even though you do not have a visual or hearing impairment you would still want and need a dog's aid. Do whatever feels right for you.
HOW TO CARE FOR IT?
You will care for a service dog, at times, like you would any other pet. It is vital that he receive attention and love, as well as more tangible things such as grooming, exercise, food and water. One of the first things you're going to have to do when taking him home is to designate an area for your new dog to sleep in.
There will be many types of equipment that you may wish to purchase for your pooch. Some types will be necessary, such as a collar, a harness, a water bowl, and so on. Other types will be for fun, but could also aid the dog's development. Toys are a perfect example of this. Every dog needs its down time, and toys help the dog relax. Do not be afraid to play around with your dog at times, just make sure that the harness is off- you definitely do not want to confuse him. It should always be clear to the dog that when the harness is on, he is working.
COSTS
The cost of training a service dog and everything that it entails varies from place to place; however, at National Service Dogs it is about $12 000 Canadian (3). These costs are usually paid for in advance; the money tends to be taken care of by the organization, and the owners-to-be will help out with this fundraising quite often.
Aside from the supplemented costs, there are additional costs for the owners once they take the dog into their home. A dog is not inexpensive. They require food and grooming, as well as other things like harnesses in the case of service dogs. The cost of food alone can amount to more than $240 (Canadian) in one year. This is what people need to be aware of before they try to acquire a service dog- that they are not entirely free.
CAN THEY DETECT SEIZURES?
It has not been proven that regular dogs or service dogs can predict seizures. However, that being said, many people claim that their dogs have some kind of sixth sense when it comes to their seizures. A few studies have been done to try and research this idea. Different people have different reasons why they believe that a dog could be able to sense seizures. Some experts claim that it may have something to do with a dog's sense of smell. Others claim that it's a simple answer and it boils down to a change in the child's behaviour before the onset of a seizure. Nothing, however, can be proved until further tests are carried out. A potential problem with the means of collecting information that some researchers use is that the dog owners could exaggerate actual events and it is difficult to prove whether their claims are valid. These tests would need to involve more scientific instruments, and be carried out under the watchful eye of the scientists; to ensure the validity of the results. More accurate means of collecting data would definitely need to be put into place.
HOW TO OBTAIN A SERVICE DOG
There are many agencies that exist just to train and provide people with service dogs. They all do things in a slightly different manner; however, they all have the same goal- to help make peoples' lives a bit easier. If you wish to apply for a service dog, all of these organizations require the same basic information and then have varying application forms. Although the process can seem tedious, it is absolutely necessary to ensure that the applicant does, in fact, require a service dog and does not have ulterior motives. Some of the questions asked deal with the applicant's lifestyle choices, living conditions, and medical disability. Aside from the written application, most organizations require at least one interview, and a medical report (among other things). Speak about your decision with people who work or volunteer for the organization as well as people in your life- once again; you should be sure that this is what you want.
INFORMATION ON SERVICE DOG PROVIDERS
One of the Canadian organizations which has a voting membership with ADI is National Service Dogs (NSD). They started operations in 1996 and were the only known provider of service dogs for children with autism in the world. At present they are still just as focused on helping people with autism, as is reflected by the fact that over 90% of the people they help are children with autism. However, they do help people with other disabilities as well (3). One of the most renowned organizations to provide assistance dogs is the Lions Foundation. They have been actively involved in providing assistance dogs to people since 1983, and have helped over 640 people over the years (4). In Canada, one of the foundations accredited by Assistance Dogs International (ADI) is the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS). PADS serves people in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba (5).
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you are not in need of a service dog, but are interested, instead, in helping out with the process of training a service dog, then there are quite a few options for you. Most people would choose the option of donating money, or volunteering time with an organization. Organizations that train service dogs need as much financial assistance as possible. This is due to the fact that training service dogs is not an inexpensive business: it requires vaccinations, hours upon hours of training, up-to-date facilities, and the dog itself. It is, in fact, quite a pricy business. In addition, it is the responsibility (for the most part) of the organization to provide the dog to the person in need- usually, the person does not have to pay to obtain this dog. Organizations like the Lions Foundation of Canada rely on donations from groups and individuals in order to stay in existence; the government does not provide them with assistance. Another means of making money it by holding events. They hold a national dog walk each year that is called the Purina Walk for Dog Guides (4). It has proven to be highly successful in the past, and takes place in a plethora of communities all across Canada.
If you would rather not donate money, and are willing to dedicate a considerable amount of energy to the cause, then you may want to consider becoming a puppy raiser. It can be a demanding job, but it is also very rewarding. You are privileged enough to raise this puppy and watch it grow into a responsible service dog. One problem with becoming a puppy raiser is that you have to be willing to give up the puppy without a fuss when the organization says that enough time has passed. It is difficult to not become emotionally attached to the dog; nevertheless, it is important to remember why you chose to become a puppy raiser in the first place- to help people who are in need of the dog's services. If you cannot devote the amount of time required for puppy raising, then volunteering with an organization may be the choice for you. Organizations are constantly looking for new volunteers to aid them in their endeavours.
CONCLUSION
All in all, the decision to obtain a service dog is up to the person with epilepsy, and how beneficial they think it would be for them. One must weigh all the pros and cons, and not make a rash decision, because if the wrong decision is made it would not only affect the person with epilepsy, but also the people surrounding him/her and the dog. Overall the number of success stories pertaining to service dogs, far outnumber the rates of failure; however, that does not mean that a service dog is right for you. Although information about service dogs is useful, it is always helpful to consult with a person and receive their personal input.
References Cited
1. Assistance Dogs International…www.adionline.org/service.html
2. Service Dog informational binder from Epilepsy Ontario's Resource Library
3. National Service Dogs Training Centre Inc…www.nsd.on.ca/about.htm
4. Lions Foundation of Canada…www.dogguides.com/doghome.htm
5. Pacific Assistance Dogs Society (PADS)…www.padsdogs.org/index.html
