Therapy Dog and Person with a disability Communicate through iPad

You don't need to be able to speak to communicate with a service dog. Dogs will accept anything as a cue as long as it is consistent and the dog is rewarded for responding.What I like most about this video is near the end the young women chooses to pet the dog as well as give her a treat!

Service Dogs as Welcomed Guest Over the Holidays and Beyond

Shilo at a Barbecue at a friend's house on a down stay off the deck, away from the food and out of foot traffic patterns.

Shilo and I with friends at a Thanksgiving celebration.

The holidays are chocked full of invitations, family events, and more requiring the human half of a service dog team to decide whether or not to bring their service dog when the event in question is being held at a private home. With some family, friends and co-workers the invitation may specifically include the service dog by name; however, that is hardly the end of the decision making process regarding the service dog's attendance.

 


Considerations for Taking An SD to a Private Home

1. Is the person inviting you the owner of the home/host?
2. Do they know about your service dog?
3. Did they include your service dog in the original invitation?
4. Do they have other pets in the house that would be upset by the presence of your service dog? Would the presence of other pets upset your service dog/ affect their ability to support you?
5. Are the residents of the house or other invitees allergic/ afraid of dogs?
6. If the home is a rental, could there be issues with the property owner/landlord?
7. Would the presence of your service dog have a negative affect on your ability to enjoy the event?
8. Do you require the assistance of your service dog in order to be able to get to and/ or participate in the event?
9. Can you handle any negative reactions to the presence of your SD?
10. Is their anyone coming to the event that has caused problems with regard to your service dog before?

Tips for Ensuring your Service Dog is a Welcome House Guest
If you are bringing someone to an event at someone's house, it is because you need them to mitigate your disability. This means that your service dog:

1. Is in working mode. Remember, dogs are situational. Whatever behavior you allow the first time you visit someone's house, they will list as acceptable rules for that environment.
2. Is well groomed.
3. Calm, quiet and unobtrusive. Your service dog should be under your supervision at all times. If your service dog begins having problems of any sort leave before you are asked.
4. Has all their needs planned for and met by you. Never assume that the host will provide for any of your  dog's needs even if their are dogs at the residence.
5. Keep all four on the floor at all times. If staying overnight, bring you dog's mat or bed with you.
6. Ask if there are any areas that are off limits to your service dog.
7. Do not allow your service dog to wander.
8. Ask where you should relieve your service dog and clean up after them.
9. If your service dog damages anything, pay for it, fix it, and apologize.
10. Give people a chance to see some of the support your service dog provides for you, and be proud of them/ the independence they bring you.

Shilo is the only dog regularly welcomed in my friend's houses. I work hard to ensure she is always on her best behavior and representative of how a service dog should behave.

News: Service Dog Seminar 2013 May 2013

Service Dog Seminar 2013 

Friday, May 31, 2013 9:00 AM -
Sunday, June 02, 2013 5:00 PM (Eastern Time)

Dogs In The Park Training Hall
519-826-5315
582 Massey Road
Unit B
Guelph , Ontario N1K 1B4
Canada
Map and Directions

Dogs in the Park is pleased to announce the 6TH Annual Service Dog Seminar! 
Registration is $375 and will include lunch and refreshments for all three days.

***EARLY BIRD PRICING IS AVAILABLE BUT ENDS May 1st 2013**

CEUs for IAABC & CCPDT are Pending!Learn about the world of service dogs and how they help people with disabilities. Whether you are already partnered with a dog, looking for a promising prospect or interested in how service dogs are trained, everyone will take something new away from this seminar! Core sessions include preparing for a service dog, operant conditioning, classical conditioning, and people training. 2013 will have exciting events such as Sports with your service dog, Successful Access and much more.


TRAINING LABS and GUEST SPEAKERS including Sue Alexander CPDT-KSA CDBC CBCC-KA, John Alexander "The Puppy Guy" BA CPDT-KA, Sharon Palmer, Pete Woolley and Melanie Woolley RVT; speakers & agenda to be firmed up by February 2013

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
       Anyone who shares their lives with a service dog or who is interested in sharing their life with a service dog; partners, trainers and family members of service dog users!
***Please advise us if you require CEUs for OAVT, NYSAVT or MAVT.

*Service Dogs are Encouraged to attend, friendly service dog candidates are welcome*
This is a Fragrance Free Event

REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 24^TH 2013

ENROLL NOW!!!http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1158765

Multilingual Dog Relief Area Request Card

I thought I would share this multi-lingual card I created for a co-worker to use to better communicate with those providing her gate assistance at airports. It features four different images that are used indicate relief areas at the top with the phrase "Please take me to the dog relief area" in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Hindi.
Cut of the extra at the top, fold in half, and laminate! Voila!