Assistance dogs
There has been a number of times that people have asked if I could provide a puppy for a service dog. They may also write that they have a trainer or will have the dog trained. I have known several trainers that are qualified but I also know there are rip offs out there that will take a anyone’s money with promises when the family is desperate to help a child or love one. Picking out that one special dog doesn’t always work even if the program or trainer is legit, what then. I as a breeder have to ask “Where will my dog go now After spending all their money what will these poor people do.” A well trained service dog is trained for about 2 years or more. The training has been developed through years of experience.
These are some very good questions to ask yourself:
Does your child like dogs?
* Might your child or anyone else in the household have allergies that might be aggravated by a dog?
* Is your family prepared and ready to take on the long-term commitment and expense of caring for a dog in sickness and in health?
* Are you comfortable handling a dog while caring for your child in public? Even with a highly trained service dog, many parents have told us they were surprised how difficult this could be. Remember, the dog is looking to you (the adult) for direction and commands. At the same time, your child may need your full attention.
A service dog training agency – such as those listed on the Assistance Dogs International website – can help you sort through these questions.
The other side of this is the client: could the dog be incorrectly handled or harmed from poorly educated or untrained clients. A good breeder spends an enormous amount of time, years getting their dogs to be the best they have to offer. They feel compassion for the family but do not want their dogs put in harms way. Some clients will have an unreasonable goals set for the dog. This is where a program that has been well established is invaluable. Yes they are expensive but spending $15,000 for training and a dog that fails is expensive too.
These are some programs below: Please remember yes they are costly but a well trained dog ready for you is costly and there is insurance and other venues that may help you I am not sure of how many dogs do not make the cut but I know it is lot. If a trainer tells you they can teach any dog walk away as fast as you can. Please be cautious as they say buyer beware!!
http://servicedogcentral.org/content/node/262 Assistance Dogs International,The Delta Society, American Dog Trainers Network,Wolfpacks
NEAD for Deaf and Disabled Americans)SDogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) began in 1976 as The Hearing Ear Dog Program, on the Lenox, Massachusetts campus of Holliston Junior College. With seed money from the Medfield Lions Club, students in the Animal Care Program determined that hearing dogs could be trained to become “ears” for people who are deaf or hearing impaired. In 1987, after training over 400 hearing dog “teams,” The Hearing Ear Dog Program expanded to train service dogs to become the “arms and/or legs” for people with physical disabilities. In 1989, to reflect these new services, The Hearing Ear Dog Program changed its name to New England Assistance Dog Services (NEADS). NEADS began the Prison PUPs Partnership in 1998, in which prison inmates foster and train service dog puppies for one to two years. In 2000, NEADS expanded its services to include the training of social facilitated therapy dogs trained to assist children living with autism. In 2006, NEADS began a specialty program for injured soldiers returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars through their Canines for Combat Veterans program. The organization now resides on an 18-acre (73,000 m2) campus in Princeton.[1]
Other programs: Please thoroughly check any program out.
