So...you think a service dog is for you?

As I said yesterday the most people who approach me want to know how their dog can be a service dog.

I go through the usual speech explaining the training, picking the right dog and breed for you and what you need and most importantly...

WILL YOU BE PROTECTED UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT.

This one fact is the single most over looked part of having a service dog. People get the well behaved, the dog needs training bit but over look one key fact; you need to be DISABLED to qualify under the ADA.

I am disabled.

Can you say that? Can you admit that you need this added assistance because you can't get through YOUR daily activities without it?

I went through the office of disability services at my college and had to show doctors appears and documentation as well as Moxie's paperwork and credentials. When I ran into troubles especially in the dining halls, the college was there to help me. The created a college issued ID card for Moxie and it has helped, immensely.

I cannot get through a day without Moxie's help. On days I do not have Moxie, I am on medication.

I use a service dog because the amount of medication it takes to get me through the day means that I often fall asleep in class. I was sick of being on medication for one thing, then a second medication for a side effect of the first, and then something else for a SIDE EFFECT of that SIDE EFFECT!! Taking 3 pills...to deal with one issue? No thank you!

Not only does Moxie work better than any medication, therapist, meditation, what have you. She is also less expensive.

That is a big thing to consider when getting a dog, not only the cost of buying a dog, but the care.

Enough of the soap box about proper use of service dogs.

I considered 3 breeds for my next service dog:
1. Golden retriever.
A breed very often associated with service dogs and therefore receives less discrimination in public places. I found many great breeders, one in Canada that was looking very lucky!
2. Miniature Australian Shepherd.
I met one and did some research and was unable to find a breeder that I agreed with.
3. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
This is the breed I have chosen. I have met many tollers and even though yes sometimes they get excited and scream I find them to be exactly what I am looking for.

I am looking for an older male toller with the ability to learn everything already mentioned. I currently have two candidates that are in a very close race. There is one in Wisconsin, and one in Alabama.

My criteria are: age, health, and behavior. The dogs I am looking at are 3 years old and 2 years old respectively. I am still asking questions and getting information from the breeders but I know which ever I choose I will have a breeder I can go to with questions who is eager to hear updates for the life of the dog.


Americans With Disabilities Act
AKC Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Standard
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Club of America