Is anyone knowledgeable about service dogs?

[buttrfli]

My DD's therapist has suggested that we start thinking about getting her a service dog. I think she is still to young yet, but the therapist thinks that getting one now will ensure that DD and the dog will have a close bond and the dog will be well trained to her needs as she gets older.

I don't discount the idea, but I watch her like a hawk and never leave her unattended... basically right now I am the service dog (LOL)

She did bring up some great points, such as, if the smoke alarm should go off, the dog would be able to wake her up and get her out a window to safety or at the very least, open a window and alert help to her if we were unable to get to her.

Or should she have a seizure in her sleep (which has never happened) the dog would alert us.

My thinking is that if we get one now (she is 9) the dog wouldn't be around when shes older and really needs one and we would have to get another.

They are VERY expensive dogs. The cost I can deal with one way or another, but with her being so young, I'd rather wait until shes at least pre-teen or a teenager when it will be more beneficial to her as she grows more independent (if I let her lol)

What are your thoughts? Obviously the therapist is better trained to give this advice than I am, but I just feel shes still too young yet.

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[Jolie Rouge]

I am sorry -- why does she need a Service Dog ? Could you get a dog and train it as a "guardian" -- Border Collies are exspecially smart and attentive.

[buttrfli]

DD has a mental disability. She does not respond to things such as smoke alarms or warning signals of any type. She also has undiagnosed seizures. She has problems dealing with social situations (part of the mental disability). If we go to a store and there are too many people near her (ie: we are standing in line and there are people in front of and behind us) she will go into a fetal position on the floor.

Apparently they are now training service dogs to help people with such disabilities and have some success as far as helping one deal with a social situation (I never heard of such a thing until recently)

Anyhow, I do think one could eventually be beneficial to her, but just not right now. We do just fine

[Jolie Rouge]

A dog may teach here to be social without the pressure -- a dog just loves you always. I have a niece who is severely autistic who does respond better to animals than any of us. A very smart dog ( my SIL raises Border Collies - so I am biased ) could alert to smoke alarms ect and provide companionship as well. Then like you say - get a Service Dog when she is older...

[buttrfli]

I like the way you think... thanks Jolie

We actually talked about getting her a Border Collie just last week

[Jolie Rouge]

See if there is a Pet Rescue in your area -- sometimes people have to let go of their pets ( moving, ect ) and sometimes people do not appreciate that a intellegent dog like Border Collies may get into "mischief" if they are bored or lonely when left alone a lot.

A dog could give her companionship without demands - a simple step in socialition. A dog is happy if you just want to sit and pet it -- or sit and just be next to it, never judges, rarely demands, always forgives. BC are exspecailly social animals -- it's family becomes it's herd and it will protect you ( and her ) at all costs. It could be trained to come get you if she has the symptoms of a seizure. It could give her the beginings of independance as you would not have to be "with" her all the time.

My SIL trained a dog for my nieces' family -- despite being autistic she can master ANY lock and often "escapes". Daisy will block her from going out by getting in her way and will keep barking in a sequence of threes until someone comes to the rescue. ( It had gotten to the point that her mother could not go to the bathroom because Angie would make a 'break out' at the first or any oppurtunity. ) Daisy will keep getting in her way; under her feet; laying across the floor, even licking her ( which distracts Angie - she will stop to pet the dog and forget to 'escape' )

[schsa]

Also call a local dog training school. They may be able to help you find and train a dog to meet your daughter's needs at a reasonable cost. I would also check to see if any of your local service organizations would assist in the cost, such as the Lion's Club, Kiwanas, or Shriners. Helping people in their community is part of what they do. They might be more than willing to give some financial support and the news papers and television stations eat this thing up this time of year.

Finally, if all else fails, check with some of your local vets. They might be able to help you out as well.

[Goobie]

Here is a site that might help

http://kspope.com/servani/index.php