I genuinely want to help whomever I can…
As much as I want to help every dog-owner team and every disabled individual who could benefit from a service dog partnership, I’m just one person, and one person with a disability. That means there are limits to what I can manage, who I can help, and how much I can do in a day.
What I’m Here to Change
- Improve the success rate for owner-trained service dog teams.
- Shift how people think about service dog training and the human-dog partnership.
- Pet owners to build deeper, more fulfilling lives with their dogs; lives they may not have thought possible.
- Change the future for people with CRPS and other chronic pain conditions that are too often dismissed or under-treated.
Helping Beyond One-on-One Training
I know I won’t be able to help everyone who reaches out directly. That’s why I’ve created the tools and resources below to support both the people I work with and those I may never meet.
Download, print, and save for yourself.
None of these are for resale. Please respect my work – don’t steal it and claim it’s your own design.
*If something is on this page I haven’t created myself, I will credit the source.
Tools for Explaining Your CRPS and What You Need in a Service Dog
Your guide to types of CRPS service dogs
How my CRPS/RSD Impacts Daily Life - checklist
A guide to possible tasks a service dog can do to help your CRPS
Comprehensive list of tasks a dog can be trained to do for service work
Possible tasks a trained guide, hearing, or service dog can be trained to perform – IAADP
If you’re new to learning about service dogs, I recommend checking out this comprehensive list of tasks that are possible to train a dog, compiled by the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP)
Learning About Types of Working & Non-Working Dogs
Dogs Who Help: Service Dog vs Therapy Dog vs ESA
KId-Friendly Flyer - types of working dogs
Owner-Train vs Program Train & Life as a Service Dog Handler
Owner-Train vs Program Train & Life as a Service Dog Handler
Service dog handler responsibilities
Ideal Health & Appearance of a service dog in public
It’s important that all service dogs be well-kept, well-groomed, and in good health themselves. Good health is imperative for their ability to work with their handlers for as long as possible. Disabled dogs cannot work for disabled handlers as a service dog. What we need of them would put too much strain on a body that’s already compensating for a loss of optimal. Being well-groomed and clean minimizes the risk of the working dog being a disturbance to other public patrons by having a displeasing odor, leaving muddy paw prints, drooling everywhere, or leaving fur piles under every table.
Some breeds can’t help how they are, but you can manage it. Carry tissues for wiping up drool. Have a massive shedder wear a t-shirt or other type of body suit. Teach your dog to function in boots for rainy days. Boots also protect them from hot pavement or ice melt.
Healthy teeth prolong a dog’s ability to do retrieval work, and a healthy coat is a clear sign that your dog is being well-cared for, which is one of the main things your vet will check in on.
Your service dog deserves the best possible care so that they can give you the best possible support. That means being in good health, good weight, no medical issues, clean and well-groomed before every public access work day, and showing up with the appearance and attitude of being ready to work, like the professionals they truly are.
Potential costs of owner-training
*Everyone’s experience is slightly different. This illustration is meant to demonstrate how the cost of owner-training extends beyond dog, gear, vet, and training.
Deciding to owner train a service can be a complex combination of costs depending on your lifestyle, resources available to you, location, and your needs. To learn more about each of these costs and how they factor in, head over to the post I’ve written, called, “What is the Cost to Owner-Train?”
Training Tips
Tips for handling guests & your dog’s training/manners
Teaching a puppy to relax & exist in public spaces
*Pet-friendly locations only, or only for states which allow SDiT to train in non-pet spaces*
5 tips for the simple existence exercise
Goals & accomplishments training log
Legal Information on Service Dogs
Ada breakdown on service dogs & miniature horses
ADA - FAQ document from the DOJ
Updated changes to the air carrier access act in 2020 (ACAA)
Laws by state & select countries
This link goes into more detail.
Local vs federal laws on service dogs
Section 504 of the rehabilitation act
Fair Housing Act
For Teams Traveling
https://assistancedogsinternational.org/resources/travel-resources/
My understanding of the law, is that once you are in the U.S., your team is subject to the ADA, since our country does not have registries/certification, specific organizations you must train through, or regulations beyond the law. It’s important to look up quarantine rules, though, as well as check the link above for additional info if coming from another country. *DISCLAIMER: I could be mistaken, as I am not a legal expert*