Comment

Comment by Ace and Jen on October 7, 2011 at 2:29am

Thank you all for your comments and support, I have been doing loads of research for it and am truely excited to be able to get started... I know our School has a Vet Tech program that takes Rescues and trains them so they are good citizens and the such.. I see them around the biology wing quite frequently.. and i assure you ace is more well behaived then some of those lads/gals lol I know he also has the potential to be a wonderful service dog..

Comment by Gromit, Sparkle, and Doug on October 6, 2011 at 5:25pm

Jen,  Corgis have been used as service dogs for many years.  Gromit's great aunt Missy is a retired hearing assistance dog.  I had some involvement years ago with guide dogs and I can't emphasize enough how important it is for a service dog to be utterly well behaved public.  While laws allow service dogs to go nearly anywhere, businesses and institutions are not required to tolerate an unruly or disruptive dog.  The best service dog is one that goes nearly unnoticed by the public.  As noted in the excellent web site Sam provided the link to, it takes more than a doctor's note and a service dog cape for a dog to be a good service dog.  If Ace is generally calm around people and other dogs he's got the basis of a good start.  I'm sure with some expert help and your efforts, you and Ace will make a great team.

Comment by Gail and Ashton on October 6, 2011 at 2:44pm

Hey Jen! I think Ace would be a wonderful PSDS for you! Ashton does some basic service work for me and it really does make a world of difference. I get the benefits of having the help around the house when I need it and as a bonus he helps with my emotional well-being as well. Ganbatte ne!

Comment by John Wolff on October 6, 2011 at 1:51pm

My wife did Therapy Dog stuff with Siri, our first corgi.  Al the cuddler and Gwynnie the calm one might be good at it, too.  Corgis are considered too short for seeing-eye dogs, but are used as hearing-ear dogs and other service roles.

I just got a drug called Propranolol to abort rare, episodic tachycardia (runaway heart rate) which people take more commonly for performance anxiety and stage fright.  You might discuss that with your doc... but you already got a corgi, so...

Comment by Stephanie & Brian the Dog on October 6, 2011 at 12:43pm

I sent you a friend request so I could message you.  This is so interesting and it seems there are more people effected by this than I would have thought.  I have some issues also, and was hoping I could do this training as well.  I would love it if you'd message me when you get a chance.  Thanks!

Comment by Yuki & Ellie on October 6, 2011 at 10:21am

Believe it or not, you're not alone.  ;)  Not too long ago I remember seeing a little clip of a show where a woman was talking about the exact same thing.  It might have been Dog Whisperer, now that I think about it.  She had a small dog, I think a Pomeranian or something, and she needed help getting him to ignore distractions in a store environment so that he could pass his test and become her service animal for her anxiety attacks.  It is possible to train Ace for such work, and no, it isn't weird.  I, too, suffer from anxiety/panic attacks and I know how much they suck.  And there's no way to explain the mind-numbing fear and dread to someone who has never had one.

 

Follow the link Sam provided and do your research.  If you and Ace are both ready to work at it, I know you'll soon be able to keep him with you no matter where you may need to go.  :)

Comment by Beth on October 6, 2011 at 10:13am

My understanding is that to be a service dog, rather than a support animal (which is really a pet) the dog needs to be trained to perform specific tasks that help you deal with the situation.  I read on one blog where someone had a service dog for social phobias and the dog was trained to do things like find an exit door and stuff. 

Comment by Sam Tsang on October 6, 2011 at 9:45am

Hi Jen, here you go.

Comment by Emily & Scout on October 6, 2011 at 7:24am

I personally think the idea of taking him to school is great.  Scout is always such a good de-stresser at the end of the day.  Wish I would have had her through college, and I am not a really anxious person.  I'd say if he has all his obedience training, go for it.  It would probably even be good for your friends at college to have a dog around finals time and other stressful events.  (I think there is even a program at some school where they bring in some dogs around finals time for the students to visit with and relax)

I'd say as long as you get a doctors note, you should be able to go to professors at the beginning of each year and explain your situation.  And I'm sure Ace would love to acompany you and soak up all the attention.