Apr 21, 2009

Recent CCI Graduate Passes Away

Al , Service Dogs

There’s a very nice – albeit also very sad – story in the Vail paper today about Mylissa Eckdahl, a recent Canine Companions for Independence graduate who passed away last week. Mylissa was only 43 and had only just graduated with her service dog Santana from the CCI Southwest Regional Center in Oceanside, CA in August 2008.

I happened to be out in Oceanside for the graduation that week, but I can’t say I really knew Mylissa other than briefly saying hello. That’s definitely my loss, and reading the article … Read More

Apr 18, 2009

Why The VA Has Provided No Money For Service Dogs – In Their Own Words

Al , , , , Service Dogs

I saw yet another upset comment this morning about “Why doesn’t the VA pay for service dogs?”, so I thought this would be a good time to outline the concise history of their position, especially since I don’t believe it can be found all in one place anywhere.  The subject comes up all the time and if you have an interest in this area, you definitely need to know the background so you can have an intelligent discussion and come to an informed opinion.

First, you need to know that … Read More

Apr 16, 2009

One Of The Most Touching Service Dog Stories I’ve Ever Read

Al , Service Dogs

I read hundreds, if not thousands, of blog posts, Twitter tweets, and news stories daily, and, frankly, I see the term “service dog” tossed around pretty loosely (no surprise to you if you’ve read this blog at all).

I started to write a buncha caveats to clarify what I’m about to say, but decided not to.  I’ll just say this – read this story written by Wallis Brozman and then see how your idea of what a service dog is and what it does racks up against it.

Oh, yeah… … Read More

Apr 14, 2009

“I Don’t Want To Take Someone Else’s Dog.”

Al , , , Service Dogs

Something CCI has heard more than once from potential candidates for a service dog, especially younger veterans, is “I don’t wanna take somebody else’s dog.”  Meaning, they think there’s somebody with a more severe need than they have, and they don’t want to take a dog that would be going to that person.

Can’t happen.  Lemme say that again – can’t happen.

In fact, not only is it not possible, the exact opposite might be true – they might actually provide an opportunity for a dog to be placed … Read More

Apr 10, 2009

“Writing A Prescription For A Pet Does Not Transform Fluffy Or Fido Into A Service Animal.”

Al , , , Service Dogs

Amen.

I saw this quoted in a response by someone to an earlier letter in a small newspaper in Northern California today (“Will the real assistance animal please stand up?”).  The response then goes on to talk about how dogs have to be trained for specific tasks to be considered service dogs.

Of course, I don’t disagree with that at all – I would just add that, while there’s no question those tasks are a critical element, a successful service dog placement goes way beyond that. You want … Read More

Apr 8, 2009

Tough Questions You Need To Ask About Every Service Dog Organization

Al , , , , , Service Dogs

Last time I talked about how you can’t know if a dog is really a service dog, and ended up promising I’d tell you how you can have a huge impact on the overall quality of service dog placements, and why it’s absolutely critical that you do. (I’ll forewarn you that this is a longer post than I like to write, but it’s that important.)

Lemme get right to the heart of things and tell you first why it’s so critical.  Some people, including me, fear that there’s a … Read More

Apr 7, 2009

How Do I Know If That’s Really A Service Dog?

Al , Service Dogs

Simple – you don’t. And you probably never will.

Lotta things I could show you, but here’s a direct quote from the Department of Justice’s proposed changes to 28 CFR 36, “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities”, the part of the ADA that addresses service animals:

Proposed training standards.

The Department has always required that service animals be individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, but has never imposed any type of formal

… Read More

Apr 6, 2009

Endal Junior – Service Dog In Training

Al Service Dogs

A nice follow-up story to the passing of Endal a few weeks ago (“UK’s Most Famous Service Dog Is Gone” ) – EJ (Endal Junior) has made his first official public appearance:




“Endal’s Successor Makes Dogs Dinner Out of First Official Engagement”

Note that he’s only 10 months old and, as his human, Gulf War veteran Allen Parton, said, “…is very much a puppy in training and not a fully qualified service dog…”, but is still doing very well already.

Junior is not actually a son of Endal – … Read More

Apr 5, 2009

Service Dogs, Veterans, And PTSD

Al , , , , Service Dogs

I’ve been wanting to say something about this subject for some time, but I’ve been wrestling with just what to say because I want to add something helpful and not just more fuel for all the arguments about what is a controversial subject.  So, I think the best thing to do is just tell you my approach and how I got there.

Probably no topic generates more heat in the assistance dog world than just what is and what isn’t a real service dog.  Once you get past the subject … Read More

Apr 3, 2009

Air Force Amputee Reenlists

Al , , Veterans

TSgt Christopher Frost, an EOD guy who lost his right leg to an IED in Iraq, recentIy reenlisted:

Air Force amputee reenlists

Whole story is here:  “Don’t Call Him a Hero”.

The hard part for me is there are so many of these tremendous young wounded warriors who’ve given so much that I could never talk about them all or say enough.  I still come into contact with a lot of young active duty military people, especially Army troops at Fort Carson, many of whom know I’m an old retired guy and will … Read More

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