Specially trained dogs for your special needs

It is a full time job to fund an organization that provides service dogs at no charge.  Money is hard to come by and dogs are very limited.  You may be on a list for years or never even be considered.  I am here for those that have the funds to have a dog fully trained, or with more limited funds, allow me to assist you in training your own dog.  You may also be able to access funding through health insurance, disability pensions, workman’s compensation, and other avenues such as medicare/medicade, and the Veterans Administration.  When you see a site that offers dogs for free they are funded by donations from others.  The trainers do not train the dogs for free.  Some programs do have fosters who will volunteer, but there are very few other volunteers in the service dog industry.  The donations pay the trainers to do the work, and the breeders to breed the dogs, etc.  This means that anyone wanting a service dog free will have to depend on the donations of others to fund the program.  And in this economy that is getting less every day.  

Most organizations have limited dogs every year, and more requests on their list then they can assist.  My goal is to teach the owners that are able, to train their own dogs for the most part, and where possible.  Our training at this time will be via private lessons (see in-home training fees).  We can assist you in locating a dog, evaluating your current dog, and then the training of your current dog.  I am more then willing to work with two or a small group of handlers who come together to decrease their cost for small group lesson.  I can also assist you with training your pet dog for home assistance, and move on to public access training if the dog is suited, and you are ready to undertake the training.  

Some of the simple tasks a pet dog or service dog can perform might be: 

• Hearing impaired.  A dog can alert you to a phone or doorbell ringing, the oven or smoke alarm going off, someone knocking at your door, alarm clock going off, or that all-important baby crying. Your dog can advise you when someone has come close to you.  A dog can give you back safety, and comfort when you have become hearing impaired.   
• For mobility or back problems, or wheelchair assistance your dog can do the simple task of picking things up for you, saving your back the pain of bending over. This is extremely helpful if you have fused discs where bending over is next to impossible. In the case of a wheel chair we can assist you in teaching your dog to walk properly with you on a leash, and be acceptable in the public. Your dog can help you in the home by opening cabinet and refrigerator doors, pull you when needed, carry items in backpacks, or assist you in your transition from vehicle seat to wheel chair.
• Balance or Stability problems could be a constant issue or intermittent. Your dog can assist you if you need stability at any time. This of course requires a larger dog. 
• Basic Emotional support or Psychiatric Service Dogs 'PSD" are an important part of the lives that need the emotional grounding that our pets bring. But your dog can also warn you of breakdown episodes, or assist you in finding your vehicle in times of disorientation. In a home situation where there is "stress of threat", your dog is a constant reminder that your home is safe and there are no intruders, as your dog will alert you of any issues inside or outside your home.  We can also teach your dog to search your home before you enter.  If you fear having people close to you, we can have your dog learn to circle you to create more personal space.  These are just a few example of how a dog can create comfort for you.     
• Autism can be hard on a family, especially when it is a child that wanders. When attending events or just going shopping, you can feel safe that your child will not wander off by having a service dog that is attached to your child. Not all children will be suited for this, but for those that are this will be a blessing for parents. No more worry that you will turn around and your child is gone. Should it occur we can train your dog to find your child. 
• Dementia as an adult, even mild cases can disrupt your entire life. If you like to walk but at times get disoriented and are not sure how to get home, we can teach your dog to take you home, or back to your starting point. 
• Allergy Detection work.  There is a growing awareness that dogs make incredible service dog to those that are allergic to food that can cause serious health issues.  Foods such as peanuts, nuts, shrimp, can cause almost instant airway constriction in some people.  We can train your dog to alert to foods that can cause you harm.  Your dog will be trained for public access work, and can go into food establishments with you to insure you don't eat something that can kill you.   
• Other areas of assistance might be teaching your dog to go get help, dial 911, or hit a panic button.  There are many more ways a dog might help in the home or outside the home.