“Oh, Yeah – My Service Dog Does That For Me, Too.”
I stay on top of things and always pay attention to trends in the service dog world, especially where veterans are involved, and several I’ve seen lately concern me. Here’s one…
Bet You Have No Idea Just How Low The Bar Is To Say Your Dog Is A Service Dog
I used to say “You can slap a cape on any dog and call it a service dog.”, but that’s not really true – you don’t even need the cape.
You know, I honestly didn’t write this today because it’s the 20th anniversary of the ADA with all the associated attention, or because the revisions to the existing part of the regulation covering service animals were just signed by the Attorney General Friday, although both those things make it a great time to bring this up.
When You Hear “Service Dog”, Think “Public Access”
Because public access is what drives and frames the whole service dog discussion.
When somebody says their dog is a service dog, public access is really what we’re talking about. If I describe my dog that way, the clear implication is that the dog does stuff for me and I can take it with me wherever I want. And, when it comes down to it, that’s the primary, if not only, reason to differentiate your dog in that way. (Note I didn’t say that that’s what defines a service dog – that’s another post.)
Waving The BS Flag
Every day I see dog stories that are…well, frankly, bull.
Nowhere do I see this problem more than with the almost constant daily barrage now of feelgood stories about dogs doing wonderful things for military people, both active duty and veterans, particularly those who are suffering with post-traumatic stress as their primary issue. Problem is, when you look closer and you know what to look for, there’s a lotta bull in those stories. Well-meaning bull, but bull nonetheless.
So Tell Me Again – What Exactly Is Your Program For Training Service Dogs?
I went looking a couple days ago for a detailed description of the most well-promoted ’service dogs for veterans’ organization’s training program – couldn’t find it, which really surprised me.
Funny thing is, I was actually trying to give them a break, not pick on them. I felt like I might’ve been too tough on their program lately and wanted to find something good that’d change my mind and give me more confidence in them.
Wounded Warriors And Service Dogs Visit Congress To Discuss Legislation
There’s a new CNN video up today about an AMVETS and Paws With a Cause sponsored Capitol Hill visit of veterans and their service dogs last week that’s getting a lot of attention, and rightfully so.
Definitely watch the video, but the real key here is WHY they were visiting – concerns over both existing/pending legislation and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ response – and you really need to read the two AMVETS blog posts associated with the visit to understand that.
“We Have Always Served Veterans”
Article today at NorthJersey.com (“Canine Corps“) about service dogs for veterans that’s really just so-so (I’ve seen many better, honestly), but there is one key quote in it:
“We have always served veterans … but it wasn’t until around late 2006 that we actually embarked on what we called the Veterans Initiative to make our services known and to target veterans returning home from the current conflict.”
- Clark Pappas, Director of Participant Programs at Canine Companions for Independence
Canine Companions for Independence New 35th Birthday Logo
Canine Companions for Independence has a new logo (temporary, I think) celebrating their 35th birthday this year.
Reaction among the CCI faithful has been mixed – the complaints are mostly about the size of the CCI logo in relation to the 35. Fair enough, but I still like it, and here’s why.
Schriever Air Force Base Takes Note Of Its Namesake Assistance Dog In Training
Nice official Air Force follow-up story today about one of the dogs in the KSDS military litter I mentioned last month (“KSDS Names Future Assistance Dog Litter After Military Installations “).
Schriever Air Force Base here in Colorado Springs has a new article both online and in the printed edition of their base newspaper this week about – who else? – their namesake dog, Schriever:
(Click on the image for a nice giant high-resolution version.)
KSDS Names Future Assistance Dog Litter After Military Installations
On a happier note than my last two posts…
KSDS, a great small ADI-accredited assistance dog organization in Kansas founded 20 years ago, has a tradition of naming its puppy litters for specific themes. Most recent one was a military theme – they named all the dogs for military bases – what a fantastic idea!
That’s Miramar pictured above – here are all nine names:
- Barstow — Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow, CA
About Me
I'm very active with Canine Companions for Independence as a former member of the Veterans Task Force and puppy raiser. Retired US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with my last assignments at the Air Force Academy as the Fourth Group Sergeant Major and Dean of Faculty Superintendent.
I'm actively looking for a paid position doing what I already do full-time as a volunteer.
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