Service Dog Acclimation Training at Tampa Bay’s Lowry Park Zoo
There’s some big news in the Service Dog world! There’s a first-of-its-kind Service Dog Training Program available to zoos that will assist them with acclimating zoo animals to the presence of Service Dogs. If you don’t know why this is a big deal, then read on!
10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Service Dogs
They guide, listen, balance, lead and love. They provide friendship and independence, freedom and peace of mind. They live to serve their handler to the fullest extent of their capability, be it through retrieving dropped items, offering physical support to an unsteady handler or alerting a Deaf or hard of hearing handler to important events.
Service Dogs and Boots and Shoes, Oh My!
“Oh, look, that dog has shoes on!” For many Service and Working Dog handlers, they hear those words at least once an outing. Children in particular are fascinated about dogs in boots, and they’ll often comment for all to hear. There are lots of reasons a Service Dog might wear boots, most of which revolve around the dog’s safety and comfort. Does your Service Dog need boots? Read on to find out!
Evaluating Service Dog Candidates At the Shelter: 5 Traits to Look For
There are thousands of Service Dogs in the United States. Many of those Service Dogs graduated from programs or organizations, some were owner-trained, and still others trained and placed via other methods. For many owner trainers and programs, rescue dogs are selected to complete Service Dog training, to varying degrees of success.
Thanksgiving and Your Service Dog
It's that time of year when family and friends travel, gather together and celebrate the holidays with big meals, special treats and lots of festivities. While Thanksgiving can be an amazingly fun time of year, for many people, pets and working dogs, it can be very stressful. Here are some important considerations for keeping your Service Dog happy over the coming days.
2015-2016 Guide to Service Dog Travel
While traveling with a Service Dog in the United States is your privilege, navigating airline policies, international laws, TSA regulations, security checkpoints and other commonly-encountered situations can be anything but smooth sailing. Here are some tips, tricks, guidelines and resources to ensure your trip is as stress-free as possible.
Tips and Tricks For Housetraining Service Dogs in Training
Lack of housetraining is one of the few things that a business or place of public accommodation can exclude your Service Dog for, so it’s vital that Service Dogs in Training master proper bathroom habits quickly and early. Here are some tips and tricks on how to rapidly housetrain your Service Dog in Training (or any young puppy).
5 Vital Public Access Skills Every Service Dog Should Know
One of the most commonly asked questions is, “when is my Service Dog in Training ready for public access?” While that’s a question only you or your dog’s trainer can answer, here are 5 vital public access skills every Service Dog or Service Dog in Training needs to know before beginning work in public.
In Case of Emergency: Service Dog Edition
How do you handle an emergency situation as a service dog handler? What can you do to make it easier on you, the service animal, and the first responders? These are all questions we should think of, but rarely actually seek the answer until it’s too late and an emergency situation has already occurred. So, then, where do we start?
VA Service Dog Access Regulation Changes
For many veterans across the United States, their Service Dog is a lifesaver, literally. However, current VA regulations limit access to VA facilities to "seeing-eye dogs and other animals as authorized at the discretion of a VA facility head or designee." The proposed Service Dog access regulation changes would open VA properties to more types of Service Dogs. Right now, the VA is holding open commenting and is inviting your input.