Service Dogs

[Dogsareme]

My friend has a service dog that helps her with her seizures. She came down last week to visit me, and in my area Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, and Seeing Eye Dogs, are very uncommon. So she had ALOT of problems going into places, many people where rude and ignorant towards her and the fact that this is what her dog did(She even had a doctors note). If they saw the dog in action they would understand just how much the dog did help her. It warns her before she has a seizure so she can lay down, or sometimes they come so quick (certain sounds can start one) and the dog jumps on her chest and licks her face, barks,nips to help bring her out, or if it's severe she goes and alerts someone.
My questions is, do any of you happen to know if there is a certain service vest she can get for her dog, just so it looks more professional and shows it has a job ??

[MazieDog]

I looked around online to see what I can find... I stumbled across this... Hope it helps

http://www.sitstay.com/store/clothin...FTFTCwod_U_kAg

[mrsgrubby]

I can't believe the group that she got it from didn't send it with a vest. In our town the rule is the dog MUST have either a vest or bandana on it or it will NOT be allowed in places. Otherwise everyone would say they have a service dog.

[calgal]

here is another site:

http://www.servicedogequipment.com/equipment2.htm

[GoldenPup]

The laws are different in different states, but I don't think that all service dogs have to wear vest/special gear. Most, if not all, seizure alert dogs are not specifically gotten with the intent of doing that job, its something the owner just realizes after a while.

Check the laws...they might be different there than the US...here I dont' think people are even required to show 'proof' of needing the dog (however, this is something that I think can be challenged in court). I think it's something to do with discrimination of those with a disability (...can't remember the new 'politically correct' term is...)...?

GoldenPup

[Dogsareme]

Fantastic
Thank you guys.

Now my next questions would be what type of patch would she get? I'm thinking the medical alert service dog? Or should service dog be self explanitory?

Mrsgrubby She did not actually get her dog from an agency. She adopted it, because for seizures, dogs can sense a change in the body by smell. This is her first service dog (she just started having seizures over a year ago). While she was here even my dogs tried to help when she had seizures, they can just sense it and they all acted differently in the way they would alert, and try to get her out. It was very intresting. She is however bringing her dog for more extensive training. She would like her dog to start bringing her her meds, because she needs to nap quiet often and sometimes sleeps though the time she is suppose to take her meds. I mentioned to her before she got her dog she should look for one already trained, but she didn't think it that important. In a sense I guess she is right, as long as the dog is aware of the seizures.

[britishbandit]

What about this one! Scroll down, its red and white first aid symbol, I would assume that's a "first aid dog"!

http://www.k9toolbox.com/harnesses/index.html

[mrsgrubby]

Sorry, my mistake, thought is would be an already trained dog. in that case yes, she should get something, and it is up to her on what vest she wants. Some folks are more private and want a more basic vest, and others want folks to know what the problem is in case they need help, so they have more specific info.

I would suggest a vest with a pocket on it, even if she sews it on there after purchase. In the pocket she should put a laminated index card with instructions in case she needs help, like call 911 if it lasts more than a few minutes, or whatever. She should make sure that people can see the pocket and the info in there.

But again, it is totally about what she is comfortable with.

[WolfRyder]

In the link that Calgal gave, there was another link to DogWise with a book about:

"GUIDE TO ASSISTANCE DOG LAWS, 1ST EDITION"
http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.c...45681&Method=3

I know SAR dogs can fly on airplanes, in the passenger cabin, if in "uniform" and the handler is in uniform as well. I think they have to also carry their cirtification with them.

If you have a service dog, it may be a requirement to have it "certified" and you carry it with you.

[calgal]

Her friends dog IS a service dog. She thought that having some sort of vest that shows this dog is a service dog would stop people from making remarks about having a dog in certain stores, and I personally have never seen a service dog without some sort of service vest. I'm wondering why it didn't come with the dog like it should have. Oh well, she has a lot of nice choices, and your very sweet to help your friend out this way.

[WolfRyder]

Yes, the "uniform" is the vest. If the dog was gotten from a training facility, she needs to contact them and get them to send her the vest.

The book link, I realized after I re-read the original post from Dogsareme, may be unusable, as she's in Canada. Not sure about the laws there (about service dogs being in "uniform").

[Dogsareme]

Thank you so much everyone. This all helps alot. I don't know about the laws of service dogs here at all, something worth looking into. But I do believe she does need a vest, would bring less questions and then she would not always have to be showing people her doctors note.

Thank you mrsgrubby for the suggestion about putting an instruction card in the dogs pocket. That is an excellent idea. You just never know. I will be sure to mention this to her.

She is bringing her dog for more training as a service dog in her area. The dog is quiet young right now, but understands when to alert Kelly when she has seizures, and what to do, and that is the most important part of the job. The rest of the stuff like bringing her medication at a certain time, learning to press speed dial for her nurse when no one is around, and a few other things is just incase and this is what she needs the training for. Kelly is mobile and does not need help getting stuff, or opening doors etc, she basically just needs someone with her 24 hours incase she goes into a grandmal (sp?) seizure and can't get out or help on time. She also needs to be reminded of her medication times because she will sometimes miss them when she takes a nap, but the naps help to keep her seizures down.

If anyone has any other information or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated