How to Go Anywhere with Your Dog

Last month we took a long family weekend in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale was warm and inviting, a lovely respite from Missouri's brutal polar temperatures and unending snow. Spending time with family was pretty awesome, too.

Above is one of the outdoor shots I took of the famous Barrett-Jackson auction. It's the one you've probably seen on television where people who live a totally different lifestyle from mine, think nothing of bidding 1.5 million to pick up a nice vintage vehicle. We spent a lot of time checking things out.

I could go on forever describing what we saw...amazing cars, celebrities, television moments, and vendors who arrived on scene to sell anything you can imagine...yes, even pianos.

But I want to focus on something else that interested me. I've never seen so many people with dogs wearing service vests in any place I've ever been. There must have been dozens and dozens of them, each with a vest displaying tags that looked very official. Some of the dogs even wore cute little outfits along with the vest.

I asked a few different handlers whether their dogs were in training or working. Each one smiled and said their dogs were working. Several mentioned that their dog did pet therapy.

Let me tell you, no one is more a fan of making dogs welcome in all places than me, but this was a no-dogs-allowed event EXCEPT for service dogs. I didn't notice anyone checking credentials, nor did I notice any millionaires lining up for pet therapy.

Later I went on-line and discovered something. Several companies will be happy to sell service vests to anyone along with patches, ID tags that include federal regulations mandating service dog entry into any building/area, and instructions on how one can travel by air with a service dog. (The service dog apparently flies free)

The websites selling the products have a disclaimer saying they aren't a certifying agency and they do not accept responsibility for any false information supplied to get the products. They add it's fraudulent to misrepresent a dog as a service animal, yet no certifying paperwork is required to make a purchase.

I know there are plenty of folks with highly trained service dogs for a specific and necessary purpose, but Barrett-Jackson made me wonder. Could it be that some people order vests and tags just so they can take their pup wherever they go?

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of dogs and people spending time together, but something seemed a bit odd. Is it my imagination or is this a new way to travel anywhere with your dog?

Mom, I expect you to order a service vest for me immediately!

Help for Hire

Sock-removing service dog available for hire. Works for treats.  Any takers?

Guide Dogs in Training

Toby's memory stone made with love by his raiser

Have you ever seen a guide dog or service dog in action and wondered what it takes to create such an amazing partnership? 

I recently started to follow a fascinating blog called Toby's Life as a Guide Dog in Training. Toby tells us, from his own point of view, what it's like to prepare for a life of service while in the home of his raiser. A raiser is the person who cares for the pup as he grows... providing socialization, training, and plenty of love.

After many months in his raiser's home, Toby recently moved on to Guide Dog school. I must confess to shedding quite a few tears over the poignant posts as his raiser (and his fans) said good-bye. 

The happy news for us is that Toby's raiser will receive a new puppy in May. Currently you can read past posts about sweet Toby, as well as look forward to soon following a new puppy-in-training.

I'd never before given much thought to the job of a raiser in preparing service dogs. Toby's blog will definitely open your eyes, and your heart, to a raiser's role in transforming an animal from puppyhood to a dog who will someday open a world of possibilities for a person in need.

Agree to Disagree?

Photo from 4 Paws for Ability website

A local family is battling their autistic child's school. It seems that the district is opposed to the child bringing his service dog to class. The parents say the dog allows their child to remain more calm and able to work, particurly in stressful situations.

There are a multitude of arguments on both sides. Some of the questions raised are: Will the dog be a distraction to other students? Could it inflame allergies? Who will assist in giving the dog water and/or potty breaks? Opponents argue that the dog is a therapy dog as opposed to a service dog...with the difference being that a service dog legally may not be barred from public places, while there is no such protection for a therapy dog.

According to organizations such as 4 Paws for Ability, the dogs trained for autistic children are, in fact, service dogs, and therefore protected.

So far, a judge has ruled in favor of the family.

So should the school district adapt or continue to fight?

For now, whether they agree or not, the courts have given the district an answer.