Here is a wonderful article submitted by one of our blog readers…

Thank you Terri D.

http://www.military.com/entertainment/pet-corner/rescued-dog-eases-burden-of-marine-combat-veteran

Sussie
Gunny, Rainy, Lucy and Squeaky
(AKA The Fearsome Foursome)

…for Service Dogs?

Is there something that you would like to see made for service dogs? Something that is very difficult to get but would relaly be of help for you and/or your dog?

Please let me know. I’m making up a list.

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy

Do not feel obligated to participate in this if you do not feel comfortable about doing so.

I am trying to keep this blog active but am running out of articles about Service Dogs. So I decided today to make it a little more interactive…

What type of breed of SD do you have?

What made you decide on that particular breed?

Was this originally your own personal dog that you trained (or it came by the task naturally) to be a service dog, or did you obtain it already trained?

If you live in housing with a no pets policy, was it difficult to obtain permission to allow you to have your SD?

Have you ever flown with your SD?

What airlines did you use and were they accommodating to you?

Thanks!

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy

Also a few other videos about Autism.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7404508n

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy

Service dogs graduate from Guide Dogs for the Blind program in Boring

I go by this place each Saturday when I go up to see my husband at the VA hospital. I have stopped by a couple times to visit. It is a VERY nice facility. Rated as the best in the USA from what I was told. It is based in Boring, Oregon.

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy.

The IRS allows deductions for expenses of caring for a service dog. This includes all expenses from feeding and vet bills, to training and equipment.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p502/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000178936

It is listed under Guide Dogs and other Service Animal.

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy

Last year I posted a complaint about the fact that Costco would harass me each time I wished to enter their warehouse (as they call them) with my PTSD dog. Several of you replied that you had been having similar problems where as others replied they had never had a problem at all. This is an update as to what eventually happened at my end.

Everything finally came to a head of February 5th. They not only flat out refused me but also harassed me to the point of making me have a break down in the store. One so strong that my service dog could not help me. I decided that enough was enough and contacted Costco. After many emails, many negotiations, many hours of educating them on the ADA rules and regs, ending with having a conference call with their Lawyers; they sent me a formal letter and a follow-up email stating in so many words that I would no longer be hassled about my PTSD service dog.

I am happy to say that I was able to accomplish this without consulting or hiring a Lawyer.

So why am I telling you readers this?

Two reasons.

One. I will no longer speak ill of Costco as they have agreed to allowing my PTSD dog in.

Two. Anytime any of you run into a problem with your service dog at a place of business, don’t immediately get all upset and threaten to sue or contact your lawyer, etc. Try to work it out with calm negotiations and having done your “homework” on the ADA rules and regs and the Service Dog rules and regs in your state, city and county. It will get you further than threats. That’s what I did. And I’m glad I did. Everyone was happy. Especially me.

I can now take my PTSD Service Dog into Costco and she can do her job that she was trained to do.

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy

Have you ever had to retire a service dog and take on a new one? What did you do with your retired dog? If you kept him/her, how did they handle being retired?

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy

Sussie, Gunny, Rainy and Lucy