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Assistance Animal Information

Assistance dogs are highly trained professional dogs (Guide Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Service Dogs) who work in partnership with disabled persons to increase the independence, safety, and mobility of the human partner.

Read on to find out more information!

Assistance Animal Links

Liz and BuddyMy name is Liz Carabine, I am a woman who experiences hemiplegia after being paralyzed on my left side in 1994. In 1999 I was partnered with my service dog, Buddy. Buddy is a golden retriever from the Assistance Dog Institute in CA.

Buddy has been a big help to me. He pulls my manual wheelchair, helps me keep my balance when I walk, retrieves dropped items, and opens and closes doors. Buddy has learned how to help me answer the phone, turn lights on and off, transfer in and out of the shower and chair, and dress and undress. He helps me with laundry and house keeping, can pay at the cash register, and carry some shopping bags. Buddy also can help with safety issues. He is learning tasks to help with my hearing loss and can get help on command.

Having an assistance dog helps me stay independent without the relying on another person. Maybe an assistance dog would work for you. I hope this page will answer any questions you have about finding and working with an assistance dog


buddy approaching the refrigeratorGUIDE DOGS assist their blind or visually impaired partners to independently and safely negotiate the environment by GUIDING them around obstacles and safely across streets and STOPPING at curbs and steps.

HEARING DOGS assist their deaf or hard of hearing partners by ALERTING them to sounds such as the alarm clock, stove timer, baby crying, phone ringing, doorbell, smoke alarm, car honking and sirens.

SERVICE DOGS are trained to assist physically disabled people in a number of ways. They can be custom trained for the particular needs of an individual. For example a service dog can:

  • RETRIEVE dropped items or the phone in an emergency,
  • PULL a wheelchair,
  • OPEN DOORS to buildings and at home.

Buddy pulling on frig handleThey can also alert their owner to various things including impending seizures, low blood sugar, chemical sensitivities and cardiac conditions.

Networking group for all assistance dog partners. They have a newsletter, conferences, and health benefits for assistance dogs.

Membership group for Service Dog Schools, a good place to checkout if you are looking for a service dog.

Delta Society has resources for assistance dog partners and trainers.

This is the Paws with a Cause Service Dog School but it is the only one that publicizes that they train seizure dogs.

Good resource for packs and service dog equipment.

Guide Dog Users of Arizona Website. Gives upcoming events and newsletter for guide dog partners.

Clickertales
This is a service dog partner and trainer in Tucson, the site has many ideas and resources for assistance dog partners.

http://www.usdoj.gov/dojofficials.htm

Site for contacts if an assistance dog partner is having access problems.

ADUC, United Assistance Dog Campaign have a scholarship of $2500 that a person may apply for to get a service dog. The application process begins May 1 each year. There are 84 schools that use the vouchers. If you contact them they will send you or anyone else that wants it the current information.


Here is the Grant contact information:
Assistance Dog United Campaign (ADUC)
P. O. Box 2804
Rohnert Park, CA 94927-2804
1-800-284-3647{dogs}
aducgift@aol.com


For more information and related articles on Assistance Animals, visit our LIBRARY