Comments on: Are you a Service Animal Elitist?

By: lalura

lalura — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:02:33 +0000

Isn’t the Delta society sort of elitist? they really only list one trainer in Montana when you search their “directory”

By: Brittany K.

Brittany K. — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:07:22 +0000

For those of you with a service animal, my encourageing words are: ”Even if you have a disability, just to try your best and live for all the good days, no matter what other poeple think! God Bless All”

By: Brittany K.

Brittany K. — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 18:03:13 +0000

HI, my name is Brittany and I have been diagnosed with fibro for 3 years know. Only, my fibro isn’t so bad that I need a dog to retrieve an object, or open a door. I was wondering though, could I still use a service dog to engage in more physical activities, or something in that area? Or is my fibro just not severe enough for even the thought of a service animal?
Thanks, Brittany Kinger

By: Dia

Dia — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:15:06 +0000

OMG Thank you! I have run up against this several times and each time I’ve “walked” (okay, navigated) away from the page or site wondering what the frack this I’m-more-disabled-than-your-are menatlity was. I stumbled upon your blog, saw this post and have now signed up to follow you – you appear to be a voice of reason in the chaos. Thank you!

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 17:07:00 +0000

I JUST came across this yesterday when I joined a service dog forum! It’s disturbing and silly that people who have gone through the hardships of a disability and have to have a service dog will bully others who face the same situation, although not always the same disability.

As people with similar situations, shouldn’t we be supporting each other?? Why should strangers, who have no idea what it’s like to have problems so bad that you require a service dog to function in day to day life, be nicer to service dog users than other service dogs users are?!

By: Dizzy

Dizzy — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 06:37:45 +0000

I would very much like a few short sentences to explain to curious people about my service dog (in training). The previous suggestions about handing out cards won’t work for me, because the situation is different in Australia. I have never had anyone be rude to me; they just want to know what my dog does.

Like many others, I look “normal” and I don’t want to go into details about severe depression and fibromyalgia and so on. ALSO, my dog ( a 12 inch high American Staffy x Silky Terrier) is quite small and still looks like a puppy and so she doesn’t LOOK like a service dog.

I have thought about explaining that she can make sure that people don’t bump into me and how I am beginning to teach her to find the closest exit and/or the car for me, but …..

any ideas?

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:40:56 +0000

I don’t know what to do. If you are disabled like me in a small midwest town, and I thought my 5 mo. puppy Mia, whom I rescued from a backyard breeder, spent much money and almost 3 mo. getting well, loving her and training her to be my companion/service animal, so I took her to the humane society because I thought she wasn’t happy enough or getting enough exercise, it was closing time, I could barely drive home. Called and left a message that I don’t think I can do this and don’t call people whom were interested in her brother. I tried to stay away for over a day, I just wanted to take her home. But they wanted her because a family they know has money and the woman volunteers their, wanted her brother and so they called her and said that family is adopting her. I realized after looking over notes about raising Mia and what the neighbors told me that she layed around for two days due to the shots I got her. I saw her and she wiggled and whimpered which is what she does when she is happy, and she knew I was taking her home, but they wouldn’t let me. I have a good record as a pet owner, am registered with them for foster care volunteer, the owner of my apt. buildings wife is the Director but was on vacation and did tell the manager that I love my pets. They also said that had I come back that day they would have returned her, I said check your phone messages, the office was closing so I called when I got home and not to show her to those people, she had to be spayed yet due to I was waiting until 6 mo. I hate it that they spay animals too young. I need her, she needs me, I am a good home for her I can’t seem to do anything without her, she was my reason to keep going on with all my health issues. I could have petitioned the court but this small town would have destroyed me, they don’t understand disabled persons emotional issues. I don’t know what to do.. Do you? She will be gone from their by today, if not already. They should have helped me through my concerns about doing what is best for her and let me know that she was laying around due to the shots. Since I have been disabled, government agencies or non-profit HELP, has stomped on my rights, and they will do things so you are afraid to complain and loose what little you have. I use to be confident, I was 12 credits shy of College degree, had a house bought as a single person raising 2 girls. Now I am pathetic, and turning into a recluse…Mia was changing that.

By: Curasmom

Curasmom — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 01:54:32 +0000

Bonnie,
I’m glad you ordered the cards, they will help. I understand your frustration and the thoughts about what to do when it comes time to retire Phoenix. First, hopefully that day will be a long time coming. But, when it does, resist the pressure to conform. The important thing is that the dog performs necessary services that you need — regardless of breed. It may not always be fun, but I have learned that a big part of having a Service Dog is education. The cards should help you with that despite any shyness you may have. Just give them the card and be on your way.
Curasmom

By: Kathy Bright

Kathy Bright — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:16:18 +0000

Bonnie,
It is a shame that people need to be so ignorant and think they know better than the person who is in need of a Service Dog. I get problems due to me needing to use a Great Dane, due to his size. *whopping 175 lbs.* but for a mobility/balance dog, his size is EXACTLY what I need!
My suggestion to you is to get ADA law cards to hand to someone and just walk away. I was given some where it states the ADA law of 1990 and says that they have violated it. I usually hand it too them and smile, walking away. I am not sure where you can get them. I would suggest looking at some Service Dogs sites, or maybe the Delta Society may have them.
I just know that they have come in handy for me to explain in a polite but educational way of how they can not question you. If it is something that continues then maybe call Dept. of Justice and see what they say in how to handle these situations.
Good luck Bonnie, and I hope things get a bit easier.
Blessings,
Kathy & Duke, SD.

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:42:26 +0000

After reading all of these wonderful comments I was inspired to ask for a little help. I have some sever vision impairments, I’m not totally blind but I might as well be. I wanted to go the route of picking my own guide dog so I found a highly accomplished and respected private trainer and she helped me locate my dog. He happens to be a larger sized Border Collie, a BEAUTIFUL black and white bundle of energy. And he’s got his CGC, and gone and done well at obedience trials. Anyway, he’s been my fully trained guide dog for several months, and he’s doing wonderful. My problems are more of a human nature. We run into people who say he’s not a guide dog since he’s not a lab or a Shepard. I’m shy and have a hard time explaining to people that he IS a guide dog no matter what breed he is. Has anyone else run into this problem? Any ideas on what I can say in just a few words to help people understand? And leave me ALONE? Haha
Thank you everyone!