Comments for Service & Protection Dogs for Women at http://www.gatorlandk9.com , comment 1 to 18 out of 18 comments http://www.gatorlandk9.com Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:44:54 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-32 My dog Chestnut is a service dog. I self trained her which really only involved me reinforcing behaviors tht she demonstrated naturally. I have severe depression and ptsd and Chestnut has been able to help me leave the house and have a somewhat normal life. I live in an urban environment and I often times find myself needing to walk alone to the store or appointments. With Chestnut along I don't need to rush home before dark or call afriend to walk me home. I don't need to be scared or hypervigilant. Chestnut is constantly aware of her surroundings. I can focus on her and let her worry about everything else. When I walk at night and a man starts walking behind me she will stop and turn arround and face the man until he passes us both and then she will follow him. She will also do this in the daytime, but the man usually has to come up quickly upon us to get her undivided attention. No one has ever been aggresive towards me since I began taking her with me so I don't know what her reaction would be. I would guess that she would be brave and loyal and do her best to protect me. Thank you for recognizing this work that service dogs can provide for their partners Emil - Emily Frisbie Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:51:14 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-26 The ADA is worded that the only crime deterrent a Service dog can have is it's "presence". You are opening yourself up to many expensive lawsuits if any of these "Service Dogs" attack another person while on duty. I love GSD and think they are great dogs, but they are not for the inexperienced handler. How much team training do you do with your dogs and the handlers? - artie Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:25:22 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-25 As someone who has PTSD and a service dog, I really appreciate what you're trying to do. However, active protection is not a service dog task. In fact the law specifically states “an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal.” As well as “The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence” do not qualify that animal as a service animal and “an animal individually trained to provide aggressive protection, such as an attack dog, is not appropriately considered a service animal.” And for most people, the crime deterrent effects of a GSD are another to instill confidence in a handler, and keep someone with bad intentions away. Tasks should be focused upon what can help the disabled individual on a daily basis. There are many ways a SD can assist with PTSD, but personal protection is not one of them. The ADA reformation Act changes can be found here http://www.abetterpet.com/abetterpet2/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Service-Dog-Law-Change-2011.pdf Anyone can also contact the ADA through their information hotline http://www.ada.gov/infoline.htm - Lin Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:15:03 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-24 Any Service Dog that offers "aggressive" protection IS AGAINST THE LAW!!! Any Service Dog caught doing this in a public setting can be asked to leave the premises under the ADA.. The ADA says tasks to migate their disability and having a dog ATTACK another human or dog would be in violation of the law.. If this went to court it would be dismissed.. - Shadow Walker Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:56:13 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-23 Interesting take on service dogs. I utilize a Bouvier Des Flandres for mobility and anxiety. I have letters from multiple doctors stating I have several life limiting disabilities. I have also had to make sure that while Gus is able to provide a boundary, or space between me and people who "crowd my space", that he is not "protective" in the sense of keeping a potential emergency worker or first aid giver away from me. If a dog (service or pet) interferes with emergency personnel, they will be put down. How do your dogs know when to "protect" or not? How do you define "protect"? Sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen... JMHO - looking forward to your response - Julie - Julie Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:55:57 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-22 A service dog is a dog that is to do work or perform tasks for their disabled handler. Dogs trained in protection work are not service dogs. Though the ADA did at one point include the term "minimal protection" this was meant to refer protecting a person having a seizure. They have now clarified this to "non-violent" protection. Under no circumstances show aggression, be it on cue or not. This is in fact a reason to exclude a person from services. To be considered a service dog, a dog must be trained to do work or perform tasks that directly mitigate a person's disability. As per the ADA, protection work is not covered under this. - Karla Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:39:58 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-21 This program sounds great.... except for the part where it states the dog is also for protection. A service dog, according to the ADA states a Service Dog can NEVER show signs of aggression.Due to the protection program this animal has had, the Service of this dog will be nuLl-and-void,as an assistance animal. EVERY state also has it's own set of rules.Most states will require the dog to go through a state-regulated program in order to be considered as a Service Dog in that particular state. As a TRUE Service Dog Handler let me say this. This is the reason why us "true SD" handlers are under so much scrutiny.You teach a dog how to protect, and when this dog bites someone, the real SD Handlers are under the microscope! Shame on you for illegally passing off this dog as a Service Dog. I hope you are aware that it is ILLEGAL to pass off dogs like this as SD's.I hope you are well aware of the consiquences, seeing that it's only a matter of time before you you have to experience them first hand!! - Joleen Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:21:17 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-20 Personal Protection Dogs (PPD) are NOT service dogs. Here is the newly revised definition of a service dog. Pay special attention to the very last line of the definition. Gatorland, what you are doing is illegal, harmful to real service dog teams and I hope you get shut down. Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual,or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service animals for the purposes of this definition. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler's disability. Examples of work or tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds, providing non-violent protection or rescue work, pulling a wheelchair, assisting an individual during a seizure, alerting individuals to the presence of allergens, retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone, providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities, and helping persons with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition. http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleIII_2010/titleIII_2010_withbold.htm - HumSD Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:52:53 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-19 Sorry, Service Dog and Protection Dog do not belong in the same sentence. Under the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) a dog that is trained to attack/protect would not be covered: "Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability..." "The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition." (Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations) Also, if your wonderful "Protection Dog" attacks and seriously injures another person you may be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Yes, a dog that is trained to attack would be considered a concealed weapon. - 2SD Tue, 31 May 2011 22:59:40 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-18 Sorry, Service Dog and Protection Dog do not belong in the same sentence. Under the ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) a dog that is trained to attack/protect would not be covered: "Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability..." "The crime deterrent effects of an animal's presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition." (Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations) Also, if your wonderful "Protection Dog" attacks and seriously injures another person you may be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Yes, a dog that is trained to attack would be considered a concealed weapon. - 2SD Tue, 31 May 2011 22:59:08 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-17 Every single thing that I read here has come true. I was blessed to receive Yorrdan last October 19th, and then on the 20th fell and severely broke my ankle, I have only been walking and working with Yorrdan for a month now. Last week we spent several days in Deland and are now a certified team. Yorrdan has made a difference in my life that is beyond belief, even before I was working with him. I never thought I would be able to walk down our country road and now do so with Yorrdan and have no fears at all. He is a miracle and has truly changed my life. He also works better than a cane for balance, so I have both a service dog and a mobility dog in one marvelous companion. All who know me have seen the changes and are quite amazed. Dawn is the miracle worker for me. - Mary Jespersen Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:08:40 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-16 i am 55, single woman. I suffer from seizures and post trama. I am on disablitily. I am interrested in a service dog, one that would stay with me during a seizure. one that could keep me calm. How much do I have to invest so to buy a service dog? - Roseanne Adele Hebert Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:51:25 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-13 I am a sing woman in need of both a Service Dog/Protection dog, I have SEVERE PTSD. A lot of people including the ADA bock at the idea of a Service Dog being protection Trained or protective in ANY WAY, well if you're disabled and also a victim like I am they bring much NEEDED safety as well as assistance. GREAT INFO :O) - Becky Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:24:35 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-12 Nice to meet you. Cherish the moments. My book, "Healing Companions: Ordinary Dogs and Their Extraordinary Power To Transform Lives," includes compelling stories of veterans and others and how their psychiatric service dogs have helped them survive their debilitating symptoms of PTSD, TBI & MST. Thanks. Peace, Jane | Healing Companions by Jane Miller www.healing-companions.com Jane Miller's groundbreaking new book on psychiatric service dogs. - Jane Miller, LISW, CDBC Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:02:19 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-10 I am so happy to read this description of a service/protection dog for womens. Thank you for such a great article. - Anieb Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:04:34 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-9 After speaking with Dawn and Ted, and both my physician and psychiatrist I am excitedly and somewhat anxiously awaiting the arrival of Yorrdan who will be my service dog. I am finally hopeful of a future in which I can do more of the things which are a part of "normal" life than I have been able to. Not only will Yorrdan be able to provide the needs for my PTSD but also will give me support for the balance issues I must deal with because of chronic dehydration. PTSD is what is known as an Invisible Disablility, as are the physical problems I must deal with. Yorrdan will, as my service dog and companion, provide me with the support which I have been without and have therefore been unable to go shopping or travel. Many thanks to Dawn and Ted for the time they have spent talking and emailing with me, encouraging me to take this somewhat scary step to a life that will be more enjoyable. - Mary Jespersen Mon, 27 Sep 2010 22:06:01 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-8 I suffer from severe PTSD and have often struggled with being in public, ie the grocery store, WalMart, the Mall, and so my family does most of the shopping for me. I was thinking of a dog for protection in my home only, never thought of a service dog as a possible solution for some of my difficulties. Thank you for such a great article which truly shows an understanding of PTSD and what we who must deal with it go through. - Mary Jespersen Thu, 16 Sep 2010 13:28:11 +0100 http://www.gatorlandk9.com/blog/27-service-a-protection-dogs-for-women#comment-6 I just wanted to say that your description of a service/protection dog for those suffering from PTSD, anxiety and depression is spot on. I have never read anywhere a more clear, concise, and accurate assessment anywhere. More often than not people turn to meds, meds, and more meds. Meds are important if accurately perscribed and followed but the anxiety and isolation related to PTSD is deeper. I truly believe you "get it." A well trained servive,protection and companion german shepherd can be life altering. The ability to feel safe, even in ones home, and then the ability to leave the house and baby step by baby step rejoin and regain the ability to interact in all areas of ones life and finally feel safe is priceless. Thank you for "getting it." - Erin Crawford Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:39:16 +0100