Can I use my own dog?
It depends. First check to see if your dog meets the service dog criteria. Click here for more information.
Why can’t people pet service dogs in public?
Sometimes we do let people pet our service dogs in public. However, if you see a patch that reads “Please don’t pet me” then don’t even ask. People that have seizures, blood sugar problems, and other issues that the dog needs to be paying attention at all times, taking the dog’s attention away from it’s human could cause serious issues.
Why can’t you feed dogs human food?
Besides the fact that spices and human food is a know no-no for animals, just Google it! We are taking our service dogs into restaurants and other public places that it would go against health codes to actually feed a dog in those places.
Do service dogs ever get to be real dogs and have dog fun?
Oh my gosh yes! They are family members not robots so they get to play, get loved on, and be a dog on a daily basis. However, if they are in the middle of chasing a ball and their human has an issue, they will also stop and take care of their human. It’s just like being a parent…you can be in the middle of playing with your children and if one of them falls and hurts themselves, you stop and go take care of the child.
What is the difference between Service Dogs and Companion Dogs?
A service dog is trained to do specific tasks for a person that is directly linked to a disability. A service dog can accompany it’s handler in most public places.
A companion dog or emotional support dog differs in that it is not trained to perform any one particular, mandatory task that the handler can’t do on his or her own., but instead, the canine offers support and security to those with emotional and psychiatric disorders. They are not allowed to accompany their handlers in public places that pets are not permitted.
Why don’t you use shelter dogs as service dogs?
We have in the past but we want to know our dog’s medical history and generation history. We want to know what our dogs have experienced in the past and not wonder if they have been mistreated or not. We also want our dogs to live the longest, healthist life possible so we choose breeders that can provide the history that supports that.