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Some Information You Might Find Interesting About Assistance Dogs..
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Questions Most Often Asked Of Assistance Dog Partners
Q What are Assistance Dogs?
A Assistance Dogs are highly trained professional dogs: Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Service Dogs, who work in partnership with disabled persons to increase the independence, safety, and mobility of the human partner. State and Federal laws guarantee the right of Assistance Dogs to accompany their disabled partners ANY place open to the public.
Q What are Service Dogs?
A SERVICE DOGS are trained to assist physically disabled people in a number of ways. They can be custom trained for the particular needs of the individual. For example a service dog can: RETRIEVE keys, a cane, crutches, anything a person drops or points to. BRING THE PHONE in emergencies or on command. AID a partner who falls my helping that person back to his or her feet. TRANSPORT medication, medical supplies, purse items, and other essentials in a backpack. PULL a wheelchair, and in some cases a special dog cart. PREVENT SERIOUS FALLS by helping ambulatory partner to rise and to maintain balance while standing, walking, and navigating stairs. OPEN DOORS to buildings, hotel rooms, and around the house. CARRY IN groceries, a purse, other packages. ANSWER DOORBELL and let the person in, escort him or her to the partner, then return to shut the door.
Q What happens if an Assistance Dog is denied admittance or if an additional fee is charged as a condition of admittance?
A FAILURE TO ADMIT AN ASSISTANCE DOG accompanying a disabled person or the imposition of additional charges is illegal and may result in fines and / or jail terms under Federal and / or State Law.
Q What are guide dogs?
A Guide dogs assist their blind or visually impaired partners to independently and safely navigate the environment by GUIDING them around obstacles and safely across streets and STOPPING at curbs and steps.
Q What are hearing dogs?
A Hearing dogs assist their deaf or hard of hearing partners by ALERTING them to sounds such as the alarm clock, stove timer, baby crying, phone ringing, doorbell, smoke alarm, car honking; and sirens.
Q How do I recognize an Assistance Dog?
A Most wear a tag, vest, harness, or backpack identifying the dog as a Guide, Hearing, or Service Dog. If you are not sure ask the person.
Q Do Assistance Dogs ever get to play and be "just dogs"?
A Yes! Yes! Yes! Off duty they get to run and played and rest. Work is carefully balanced with time off.
Q May I feed an Assistance Dog?
A No, thank you. These dogs are well fed by their disabled partners and should never be disturbed by offers of food. Like people, some dogs have food allergies, and must be fed only a special diet prescribed by their veterinarian
Q Is it alright to talk to an Assistance Dog team?
A Yes, to the human partner,If they are not busy. Most enjoy talking to members of the public about Assistance Dogs.* However, do not call to, or distract the dog with whistles and sounds, because that could endanger the disabled partner!
Q Is an Assistance Dog clean and parasite free?
A Definitely! The human partner takes excellent care of his or her valuable canine partner. Regular veterinary visits, frequent baths, and grooming, including nail trims and teeth brushing are a part of the routine.
Q Is the Assistance Dog likely to vomit or make a toileting mistake in a vehicle or indoors?
A Absolutely not! These dogs are carefully selected and trained to have excellent manners.
Q How do I know an Assistance Dog is safe to be around?
A Assistance Dogs are carefully screened for temperament and stability BEFORE they are trained and placed with disabled people. These professional dogs are focused on their human partners and their work.
Q How does a disabled person acquire an Assistance Dog?
A Most apply to training centers which fund raise and present the dog free of charge following extensive training of the team. Some buy a dog from a private breeder and pay for all training; a few experienced persons buy from a breeder or adopt from a shelter and do the training themselves.
Q Why does an Assistance Dog accompany there disabled partner even when a non-disabled person is present?
A They are a TEAM. People choose canine assistance over human assistance because they want to be independent!
Q Some people do not "look disabled". Why do they need an Assistance Dog with them?
A When you see an Assistance Dog "on duty"; be assured there is a reason for it, even if the human partner does not use obvious equipment such as a wheelchair, crunches, or a hearing aid. The human partner undoubtedly has something known as a "hidden disability". For example: cancer, chronic back pain from injuries, neuro seizure disorder, angina attacks, or deafness to name but visiting a few.
Q Can I ask the person, "What's wrong with you?"
A NO. Federal law protects the privacy of disabled persons. They are not required to explain their disability nor are they required to explain or demonstrate why they are accompanied by an Assistance Dog.
Q What is the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners? {I.e., the IAADP}
A The IAADP is a non-profit organization that was formally launched in October 1993, at the Assistance Dogs International Conference. A historic meeting took place between consumer representatives from many states that were partnered with guide dogs, hearing dogs, and service dogs. The outcome was a unanimous vote in favor of establishing an independent cross disability consumer organization that could represent all Assistance Dog partners {not just one faction} and advance consumer interests in the Assistance Dog field.
Q How does the IAADP benefit the public, the disabled community, and in particular Assistance Dog partners?
A Through its quarterly Newsletter and annual Conference, the IAADP has established a thriving cross disability "self help" network, international in scope, enabling Assistance Dog partners to share information, voice their concerns and to take the lead in solving some of the problems that exist. In addition, the IAADP serves as an advocate in cases of access denial. It is a place to turn for advise and peer support. Furthermore, the IAADP has become a busy information in Referral resource for the general public, the disabled community, state and federal officials, trainers, new providers, rehab counselors, parents, and Assistance Dog partners on both sides of the Atlantic.
Q How may I learn more about Assistance Dogs?
A You are welcome to subscribe to our quarterly publication, the "Partners Forum," which was honored by the Dog Writers Association of America at their annual Awards Banquet in 1995 with the DWAA Certificate of Excellence in the field of Canine Newspapers. Cost is $12 per year. Make check payable to IAADP. Send it with your Name, Address, and preferred format: Print or Cassette? Mail to IAADP Editor, P.O. Box 1326, Sterling Hts., MI 48311. If you have a specific question, you may write to IAADP at the above address or phone our Information & Advocacy Center at {800} 826 -3938
Some Commands For Assistance Dogs...
Positional Commands...
COME BY STAND-Rise to standing position.
COME BY HEEL-Dog positions itself by the left heel.
COME BY SIDE-Dog positions itself by the right heel.
COME BY FRONT-Dog comes in front of person in horizontal position.
COME BY BACK-Dog falls behind person vertically; useful for narrow ramps and openings.
COME BY-Used for exiting van or off bed.
KENNEL UNDER-Used to lie down under table's etc.
COME-Dog comes when called.
SIT-Dog sits.
SIT STAY-Dog stays on sits until released.
DOWN-Dog lies down.
DOWN STAY-Dog stays down until released.
SETTLE-Dog may pick his own spot to lie down.
OFF-Dog must remove front paws from object or person.
HEEL BY-For wheelchair going downhill, on or off lead.
HEEL-Dog walks by heel on loose leash.
SLOW-Slowest pace possible.
EASY-Medium pace.
FAST-Fast pace.
DIG-Used for going uphill on ramps, inclines etc.
FORWARD BRACE-Walking up ramps, one step, brace, one step, brace, etc.
TAKE-Dog takes object.
HOLD-Dog holds object.
GIVE-Dog releases and hands over object.
TAKE AND PULL-Dog takes strap, rope, etc, with mouth and pulls to open.
TAKE SODA-Dog takes object that houses soda and brings to person.
SHUT DOOR-Dog may use feet or nose to close refrigerator door or regular door.
TOUCH-Dog uses nose or foot to touch indicated object.
SPEAK-Dog barks to alert for help.
UP TOUCH-Dog uses nose or feet to touch indicated elevated object, such as; elevator button, light switches, automatic door buttons.
PULL OPEN-Used with hook for door openings.
TAKE PHONE-Dog retrieves phone.
UP-Dog comes up by person with front paws only. Used to do money transfers.
KENNEL UP-Dog jumps up onto something elevated such as a van, bed, etc.
OKAY-Releases dogs from commands.
STAND AND BRACE-Dog comes in front of person for transfers or to help them get up from a fall, by placing one hand on withers, other on ramp and pushes down. DOG MUST NOT MOVE!
UP, TAKE THE MONEY-Used to retrieve moneybag back from cashier.
ENOUGH-Stop barking.
LEAVE IT-Used to stop dog from picking up undesired objects or to ignore other dogs.
WAIT-Dog waits patiently, usually while doing door negotiating.
PAY ATTENTION-Used to focus dog back on its person.
WATCH-Used to alert dog to potential dangers.
NO SNIFF-Used to stop sniffing food on ground or other dogs etc.
NO-Used to stop dog from undesirable behavior.
PHOOEY-Used for most serious infraction, chasing cats, aggression, causes a fall, etc.
Directional Commands...
FORWARD-Command to start moving forward with walker harness on.
FORWARD PULL-Command to start moving forward with wheelchair.
HURRY-Command used to speed dogs pace while pulling wheelchair.
LEFT-Making a sharp turn left.
WORK LEFT-Going to the left diagonally.
RIGHT-Making a sharp turn right.
WORK RIGHT-Going to the right diagonally.
COME ABOUT LEFT-180 degree turn to the left.
COME ABOUT RIGHT-180 degree turn to the right.
HALT-Stop.
Public Information
All of our dogs are beautiful in their own visiting special way. The public is drawn to them to ask about and marvel at their abilities. Most recipients are happy to educate people about their special however; we can not stress enough importance of NOT PETTING or distracting a dog in a harness. Their attention must be on their person at all times. Petting or distracting an assistance dog can jeopardize the safety of the team! The American with Disabilities Act guarantees accessibility rights for a blind, deaf, or physically disabled person the legal right to be accompanied by service animal in all areas open to general public. Service animals definition means any guide dog, dog or other animal individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including but not limited to guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to intruders or providing minimal protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items.
Applications available via email upon request to [email protected] or [email protected]
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