Service Dog or Therapy Dog
Hi everyone!
I'm new to the site and wasn't sure if this topic has already been discussed, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me what is the best age to start training your dog to be a service dog? I was thinking along the lines of a therapy dog. Also, if there are any reputable service training schools in the San Francisco Bay Area? I have seen how my little dog makes even the grumpiest person get on all fours and become 5 years old again, playing with him happily :) Any help on the matter would be greatly appreciated! Cheers!
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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You have gotten great advice. We did TDI training with both of ours. My best advice is to socialize, socialize, socialize. He should be comfortable both with people and with dogs, and also with crowds and busy situations.
Just remember, a therapy dog is not a service dog. Legally (and also in normal conversation) a service dog is a dog who performs tasks for someone with a legal disability; think seeing eye dogs, hearing dogs, balance dogs, etc.
A therapy dog is a dog who brings comfort with his presence to people in hospitals, schools, etc. :-)
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Permalink Reply by Geri & Sidney on
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Thank you Beth for explaining service vs therapy, very nicely explained!
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Permalink Reply by Victoria & Bjørn on
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Thanks for the clarification Beth. I wasn't aware of the difference :) Funny side story, I suggested to my friend, who is a police K9 handler, to give Bjorn some lessons. My friend and I laughed and laughed at the thought of a corgi chasing a bad guy and attacking him like a shepherd does. But then I figured it would mess up his chances of being a therapy dog. ;)
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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You just need to get a trio of corgis for a K9 unit. One to trip the bad guy, one to nip at the heals and the 3rd to go from side to side keeping the bad guy from turning. I can just see this....it would be funny but then once the person was on the ground they'd probably smother them with kisses, although 3 corgis sitting on someones chest would not make it easy for the person to get up, haha!
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Omgosh! I couldn't stop laughing just imagining this!
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Several years ago I remember tripping in a hole and 3-4 corgis piled on top of me...it WAS NOT fun as they were making sure I wasn't hurt and I did hurt and wanted to get up and see if it was serious...which it wasn't.
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Good point Beth, in addition people with Service Animals have rights and responsibilities pertaining to their working animals (mostly dogs) which are covered by Federal Law under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are not considered "pets".. Therapy dogs are considered pets and do not have the same right of access in public places.
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Although here in California, if you are on your way to or from a visit you may use public transportation with a therapy dog.
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That's very nice, may be true in other places as well. The difference is that Federal Law applies in all of the United States equally and, since I have a Service Dog, my appreciation for this privilege cannot be overstated.
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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Also a therapy dog can work with a reading program for kids and even adults. But it has to be a calm dog who is willing to sit or lounge with the kids and get petted all the while they are reading to him. Dogs don't judge, they just sit and listen..it helps the children build confidence in themselves.
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LOL...just remember how fast corgis can run and how sharp they can make those turns. Plus they could do some real damage to ankles!
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Libraries many times have therapy dogs to let the kids read to and also schools.
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