The Service Dog House

Coming Back Soon

2009-01-13T19:10:00.002-05:00

Some of you may have noticed it has been quite some time since we last posted any new articles. Over this past month Tina and I have been very busy renovating both of our on-line stores as well as adding new Unique and Unusual products to our inventory. This certainly has taken up more time than we anticipated. We hope to write more articles about the magnificant working dogs in our society, very soon.

We hope you will come back often to see what's NEW.

Seizure Alert Dogs – Helping People With Epilepsy

2008-12-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

One of the newest categories of Service Dogs is called a seizure alert dog. These specially trained Service Dogs are becoming more and more popular around the world. The purpose of a seizure alert dog is primarily to help people with epilepsy. They do this either by protecting them, helping them to avoid injury from wandering, or even by going to get help.
It is estimated that 0.6% of the Canadian population has epilepsy while 2.3 million Americans suffer from epileptic seizures. Each seizure can last from a few seconds to a few minutes, and in some cases the person is rendered unconscious. Some people with epilepsy avoid normal activities because they fear what may happen if they have a seizure in public.
Contrary to popular belief, seizure alert dogs cannot be trained to detect oncoming seizures. This is why some trainers refer to these dogs as seizure assist dogs rather than seizure alert dogs. While it is true, some dogs seem to be able to sense their owner's seizures before the onset, it is rare. The reasoning behind this early detection is yet to be determined. Therefore, a seizure alert dog may be useful for a person with epilepsy during or after a seizure and there is no guarantee the dog will alert the person of an oncoming seizure.
For a number of seizure alert dogs, alerting behavior can occur several seconds before a seizure and in some cases as early as 45 minutes or more. Some of the exhibiting behaviors include, close eye contact, circling, pawing and barking. Seizure alert dogs can be trained to stay close to their companions for the duration of the seizure as well as fetch medications, a telephone or a caretaker. Training of these special dogs can take 6 months to 2 years depending on the availability of appropriate dogs and the tasks they are being taught. Due to the intensive level of training required, the cost ranges from $10,000 to $25,000.
In recent years, the seizure-alert dog has gained international media attention which has generated a rise in the number of people wishing to obtain such a dog for themselves or a family member who suffers from uncontrollable seizures. Unfortunately, some of the information has been inaccurate and this has lead to unrealistic expectations of these service dogs. Through factual evidence, about seizure alert dogs prospective owners as well as the general public can be empowered to make reality-based decisions.
If you are anyone you know is interested in finding out more information about the newest category of Service Dogs, contact your local Epilepsy support centre or a Service Dog training facility nearest you.

Hearing Dogs: Freedom & Independence For The Deaf And Hard of Hearing

2008-11-24T09:46:00.001-05:00

There are more than 1.5 million people in the United States and Canada who have self identified as being deaf or hard of hearing. Unfortunately, many of these people, as well as the general public do not know there are organizations and private companies who train dogs to help the deaf and hard of hearing.
These highly skilled dogs are called Hearing Dogs or Hearing Ear Dogs. These dogs are specifically trained to alert their owners /handlers to important sounds and they bring a new independence and confidence to their silent world.
For the most part, selected puppies are sent to foster families/puppy raisers for the first year of their life. The family is responsible for caring for them, obedience training and socialization skills. When the puppy has matured to approximately one year old, it is returned to the training facility for assessment and a thorough medical exam. If the adolescent dog is chosen, it will then begin a six-month training program to learn the necessary skills as a Hearing dog.
Typically, these special dogs are trained to make physical contact with their handler when they hear a specific or unusual noise. They will lead the person to the source of the noise and either sit or paw at the handler. These unique dogs will respond to a telephone or door bell ring, a knock at the door, a baby’s cry, a boiling kettle, egg timer, a micro-wave oven and other household sounds. Once the Hearing dog has completed their simulated home environment training, then the new owner/handler undertakes a rigorous two to three week program. During this time, they will learn how to work with and bond with their new companion/ Service Dog. Most of these dogs can be trained to respond to hand signals if the handler is unable to speak in a clear enough voice for the dog to understand.
You may recognize one of these skillful dogs by a colorful cape with the words Service Dog, Hearing Dog or Hearing Ear Dog embroidered on a small patch. Many people are curious about what Hearing Dogs can do for people who are hard of hearing or deaf when they're in public. However, there are a few important rules to remember if you come in contact with one of these Hearing Dogs. Never distract, or touch a dog that is wearing a special vest or harness. Always, ask for permission to talk to or pat a working dog. Usually, the handler will prefer that you don’t talk or touch their dog, because it may break the dog’s concentration of being in a “work mode”.
To the deaf and hard of hearing, freedom and independence is enhanced by the love and dedication of a Hearing Dog. If you or someone you know is deaf or hard of hearing, take a moment to view some of our Useful Resources dedicated to training these wonderful dogs.

K9 Police Service Dogs

2008-11-21T10:53:00.000-05:00

Today, police departments around the world use police dogs to locate criminals, sniff out illegal drugs, search buildings, bomb detection, and other jobs human police officers can't do as well as a dog. There are thousands of police dogs on the job each and every day and sadly hundreds of them are killed in the line of duty each year. I thought it was about time to shed some light on these valuable members of our society.
During the 18th century, European police forces used bloodhounds, along-side their human counterparts. Belgium and Germany formalized their rigorous training programs during World War I and this practice continue on into the end of World War II. Soon, police dog programs started appearing all over Europe. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that police dogs were introduced to the United States. Today, police dogs are recognized as a vital tool of law enforcement around the world.
The majority of police departments use German Sheperds as their dog of choice. However, Labrador Retrievers and Belgian Malinois, are a close second when it comes to intelligence, aggression, strength and keen sense of smell. Other breeds such as beagles, schnauzers, bloodhounds, jack russell terriers and even mixed breeds are widely used for drug and bomb detection, as well as cadaver dogs.
Police dog training is pretty much done the same way as any other dog training. However, their training is extremely intense because people’s lives are at stake so, these dogs must be highly skilled. Once the police dog has completed their basic skills training such as obedience, endurance and agility, these dogs are then put through a series of tests to make sure their suitability as a K9 Police Service Dog.
K9 Police Service Dogs are the best of the best and their handlers are carefully selected to ensure the K9 Unit is a well-matched team. Becoming a K9 Unit officer is not for the faint of heart. Many of these dedicated officers put in excess of 60 hours a week. Not only do they work a regular 8 hour shift, the K9 officers must practice their training routines on a regular basis to keep their K9 partner sharp. The officer will groom and exercise their dog and of course, make sure their devoted partner has plenty of down time. Most of these K9 Units are together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
Some of these K9 Police Service Dogs are given verbal commands in a different language, such as, German or Dutch. Many civilians think the commands are given in a different language to prevent the dog from answering to a criminals command. The truth is, many of the dogs have already been trained in the language of their country and It is much easier for the handler to learn a few phrases in German or Dutch, than having to re-train the dog in English.
So, the next time you see a K9 Unit, think for a moment how valuable these K9 Police Service Dogs are to our communities. Without them, our brave police men and women would not be able to serve and protect us from people who break the law in our society.
Come back soon to read about the fascinating skills of Hearing Dogs.

Why Do We NEED Dogs ?

2008-11-19T12:50:00.005-05:00

It has been said that dogs originated from the grey wolf. The first recorded signs of the human-dog relationship started between 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. We don’t know if the wolf approached man or man approached the wolf. I’m sure it doesn’t matter because, both the wolf and the humans benefited from this developing relationship. The wolf helped humans during the hunt, they alerted them when their enemies drew near and they also kept their humans warm during the fridget nights. In turn, the wolf was fed on a regular basis. Since wolves are known as pack animals, they felt the need to belong to a pack and allow humans to be their pack leader.

Over the centuries, wolves some-how transformed into what we now know as dogs. During the Middle Ages, people saw dogs as a status symbol and the affluent believed owning a dog would increase their class of distinction. During this time, there was an explosion in the variety of dog breeds. There were large dogs, small dogs, colorful dogs and dogs with personalities. This is what has developed into the modern day dog.

Today, humans rely on dogs for a number of reasons. For some, having a dog fulfills a number of emotional needs. While others, like myself depend on a dog to maintain our independence. Dogs have come a long way since the Middle Ages. They have been trained to help humans accomplish some incredible everyday jobs. It is hard to believe that dogs are used in so many areas of our society. Think about it for a moment! The list of working dogs is astounding. From search and rescue to the military and police services, to helping people with disabilities to protecting someone’s place of business, dogs have impacted our lives in many ways.

Why do we NEED dogs? Well, I’ll tell you. We NEED dogs because without dogs in our lives we would be void of the unconditional love and devotion that is necessary for our emotional well being. We would not be able to accomplish the many tasks that humans are not capable of doing without a dog. It is incredible how much a dog does for us and all they need in return is food and shelter as well as knowing that they are a part of our pack and we are their pack leaders.

Over the next few days/weeks, I will be writing about some of the well known working dogs such as Guide Dogs, Special Skills Dogs, Hearing Dogs, Seizure Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, K9 Police dogs as well as the many working dogs that people are not aware of. I hope you will come back to learn and read more about these magnificent creatures.

What Defines A Hero ?

2008-11-17T12:38:00.004-05:00

There are many definitions of a hero. A hero is an individual’s interpretation of what they feel a hero is to them. I believe there is no concrete definition of a hero. It could be a fireman, a policeman, someone who has helped a perfect stranger,your Mom or Dad, a brother or sister or it could be your companion animal or your devoted Service Dog.

The bond between a person and his Service Dog is different than most people-dog bonds. For one thing, we have to get to the point where we can trust the dog with our lives, and the dogs have to get to the point where our lives become more important to them than theirs. For another, they must trust us enough to obey or even disobey our commands, knowing that we have a purpose in mind.

For me, I have had many heros that have touch my heart over the years. However, there is only one hero that made a significant impact on my life. My hero is and was my devoted Guide Dog “Paser”. After working for over ten years, it was time for Paser to hang up his harness for the last time. We enjoyed many fun filled days and new experiences during our time together. I can remember the day I had to bring Paser to the veterinarian for one last visit. As he lay on the floor waiting for the veterinarian to end his pain and suffering, I embraced him one last time and Thanked him for all the years of dedicated service, companionship and for saving my life on two occasions. If it was not for Paser’s keen sense and ability to stop me in my tracks before walking in front of a speeding car, I am sure I would not be here writing about MY hero.

Take the time to Thank and recognize Your hero(‘s). You can show your appreciation in many ways. A simple hug, a heart-felt letter, a bouquet of flowers or just by saying the words “Thank You" is all it takes. For the most part, people and even our companion animals don’t expect anything for just doing their job.

What defines a Hero in Your life?

Dog Lovers Send Goodies To Military Working Dogs

2008-11-12T15:56:00.004-05:00

As a follow up to yesterday's post, I was inspired to find out if there are still working dogs in active duty. I actually spoke with a very inspiring woman by the name of Starline Nunley. Her son is currently serving in Iraq as a helicopter pilot. One day he called home and asked his mother if she could help the working dogs in Iraq and she said she couldn't refuse.

Although, this article is rather long, I wanted to reprint it in its original format

Here is the actual story written by Master Sgt. Tim Vokert based in Iraq. (with permission to reprint)

Thursday, 15 May 2008
Story and photo by Master Sgt. Tim Volkert
Multi-National Division – North Public Affairs Office
MOSUL, Iraq

– Mail call around Forward Operating Base Marez in Iraq has been going to the dogs recently.

A group of dog lovers from the Gem City Dog Club in Dayton, Ohio have been conducting fund raisers and purchasing dog toys, cooling vests and a variety of other amenities for military working dogs serving in Iraq.

Starline Nunley of Springfield, Ohio, told her son she wanted to send care packages for him and the Soldiers he works with to help them deal with the heat of summer and life away from home. Her son, Maj. Parker Frawley, the planning officer for the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, could not think of anything he or the Soldiers he works with really needed. After talking with his mom, the conversation turned to dogs and the idea was born to help the working dogs serving in Iraq.
Frawley said his mom’s dog club loved the idea to support the working dogs and immediately began raising money to buy all the working dogs at FOB Marez cooling vests and other items to help them cope with the severe heat they will face.
“I can’t physically protect my son and all the other sons and daughters in Iraq,” Nunley said. “These dedicated dogs do this service selflessly and with great courage. Whatever we can do to help them do their job easier is helping to protect our sons and daughters.”

Shortly after that conversation, Frawley began receiving mail for the likes of Sgt. 1st Class Budge, Sgt. 1st Class Lucky and Staff Sgt. Bronco.
While receiving mail for dogs might seem unusual, Frawley said these dogs help save the lives of Soldiers, so picking up some mail and delivering it to them is a labor of love.
“I’ve had pets my entire life,” he said. “I don’t mind (delivering the packages) at all. These dogs do things that save lives every day. This is for the Soldiers as well.”

While Nunley’s initial goal was to provide the cooling vests for the working dogs at Marez, the support she received from the community enabled her to quickly expand her goals.

“My initial goal was to provide cooling vests for these MWDs at Mosul,” she said. “This was expanded to purchase doggles and Mutt Luks for the MWDs to protect their eyes from the blowing sand and their feet from the hot sand and asphalt that sticks to their feet and burns them. The outpouring of support for this project is very heart warming.”

Maj. Parker Frawley, planning officer for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, (picture top right) takes a moment to play with Zzar at the Military Working Dog kennel on Logistical Support Area Diamondback, Iraq, after delivering some dog toys and water dishes to the dogs. “It’s taken off more than I think she anticipated,” Frawley said.

Since she began working on the project, about two months ago, he said his mom and the dog club has been able to send enough items for all of the working dogs at FOB Marez and the other surrounding bases in the 3rd ACR area of operations. They have provided 15 cooling vests and 30 cooling packs, 15 sets of Mutt Luks (protective paw wear), 15 doggles (eye protection), and numerous chew toys and other items such as collapsible water dishes that can be easily carried out on missions.

The Soldiers who work with the dogs said they are very appreciative of the care that families back home have shown for the animals.

“I thought it was awesome that people would take time for (the working dogs),” said Sgt. Daniel Fulton of the 148th Military Police Detachment, Fort Carson, Colo.

“We hardly ever get anything for the dogs,” said Staff Sgt. Aaron Kimes, with the 67th Engineer Canine Detachment, Fort Leonard Wood. “It’s awesome. It’s a morale thing for the dogs. You can’t find stuff for the dogs out here.”

While the packages coming to Frawley may be going to dogs, it is the Soldiers who are benefiting from them. So, in the end, his mom is still doing what she wanted, helping her son and other Soldiers stay safe in Iraq.

### End.

War Dogs - The Forgotten Hero's

2008-11-11T10:19:00.002-05:00

For most of us, we think of our dogs as loving and loyal pets. However, for many soldiers who have fought in wars, their dogs were not only their companions, they were their lives.

As Remembrance Day drew closer, I began to reflect about all the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for the sake of peace and freedom. I also started to think about some of the documentaries and movies I have watched that has portrayed these courageous men and women. Over the years, I remembered seeing a couple of documentaries about how dogs played a big part in most of the world wars. Then it dawned on me, I have never heard anyone speak of or commemorate the many dogs who sacrificed their lives while serving and protecting their handlers and comrades. So, I felt it was time to give them the recognition they so well deserved.

As far back as 4000 years ago, dogs have served in the military along- side the brave men and women who have fought during the many wars and conflicts around the world. During every modern war, war dogs have served as trackers, scouts, sentries, messengers, attack dogs, mine detection dogs, tunnel dogs and rescue dogs. Sadly, tens of thousands of these brave creatures did not return from the battlefields. Some were killed in action, some were MIA (missing in action), while many were thought as “equipment” by the military, so they were often left behind.

It is estimated that these magnificent dogs were credited with saving the lives of over 10,000 soldiers during the Vietnam, war. That is only one war. What about the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Gulf War, Bosnia, Afganistan ? I am certain, there have been millions of these loyal and brave canines who were injured or killed in the line of duty.
Today, when the clock strikes 11.00 A.M, it is important to honor the brave men and women who have fought in our wars, but it is also time to honor the many war dogs who served along-side these fallen heroes. We need to recognize the heroism and contribution war dogs have made to soldiers in the field over the past and into the future.

Please, take the time to remember the War Dogs- The Forgotten Hero’s

The Power Of Paws

2008-11-10T09:43:00.006-05:00

There is no greater therapy than the love of a dog. Everyday around the world millions of people experience the amazing bond between humans and dogs. This is what the basis of what is becoming such a powerful mode of therapy for many people in long term health care facilities, nursing homes and hospitals.

Animals have been recognized as being a positive influence when it comes to lowering blood pressure, improving feelings of loneliness, reducing depression and raising self esteem. Some studies have shown people who are around dogs have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels than someone who is not exposed to a dog. The fact is, dogs have a calming and therapeutic effect on people.

When a dog visits a health care facility, everyone benefits from their presence. The residence and/or patients, the staff as well as the visitors are affected by the special magic these furry friends bring to their facility. Life in a long term care facility can be lonely and often boring for some residence. A visit from a Therapy Dog breaks up the daily routine and these magnificent creatures have an un-caning ability to stimulate the mind in dramatic ways.

An inherent trait in humans is the need for attachment to others. A Therapy Dog that visits on a regular basis provides that attachment. I think we all need something to hold on to from time to time, and the unconditional love and affection a dog can bring to a person’s life may be the solution to their problems. Perhaps, it is about time the medical community decreased the amount of prescription drugs they administer on a daily basis and look at the remarkable benefits of a Therapy Dog.

Breaking Down Barriers

2008-11-08T11:49:00.006-05:00

Today, there are more and more people in our society, who travel with the aid of a dedicated Service Dog. These people come from all walks of life. Each and every one of these individuals, have a personal story about their disability and their Service Dog. For the most part, they are stories about people who are facing—and overcoming—challenges. By using a Service Dog, issues such as mobility and independence are no longer insurmountable challenges. For many of these people, they have a go-anywhere, do-anything attitude which shatters many stereotypical attitudes about people with disabilities.

However, accessibility challenges for Service Dog users continue to be an every- day occurrence.

Service Dogs are routinely denied access to public transportation, restaurants, grocery stores, churches and other public buildings, despite laws against such discrimination. Being denied access is not isolated to any one town, city, province, state or country. This is a world- wide problem. Cultural attitudes towards dogs, misinformation regarding health codes and personal attitudes all contribute to the problem. It is only through public awareness, attention and education that these issues can be resolved.

Perhaps, one day governments around the world will realize people with disabilities want to be treated as first class citizens and be included in the main-stream of society. Many countries are working towards an all inclusive society by introducing and implementing access laws to allow these individuals full access to all/any public buildings. However, these enormous challenges will not happen over-night.

Over the past eight-teen years, I have travelled with two different Guide Dogs. During this time, we have been challenged on a regular basis, by people who own, manage or work in restaurants, variety stores, grocery stores and even my own doctor’s office. It is often embarrassing and humiliating to be centered out in front of other patrons in these establishments. As a Guide Dog user, it is our responsibility and duty to try and educate the offending person. If that falls, we are instructed to contact the local police. It is then the responsibility of the police to determine the next step.

Each and every day, there are thousands of people around the world, who are denied access. For what- ever reason, some of these people have decided to escalate their case to a civil court case. Unfortunately, many of these legal cases have been dismissed by the courts on technicalities (mine included), while others have resulted in levying severe fines, participation in community service and even jail time for the person who has denied access.

I truly believe, if we start educating the general public as part of the educational curriculum, people with disabilities will have a better chance at living their live to the fullest. I also believe, we could minimize that amount of denied access cases, by asking our governments to institute a law that would make it mandatory for new immigrants and/or people working in the service industry to take a course surrounding people with disabilities and Service Dogs/animals.

Together, we can break down the many barriers that still exist in our society by changing cultural and personal attitudes, as well as educating and clarifying misinformation that contributes to the misunderstanding about people who travel and live in our communities with the assistance of a Service Dog/animal.

The Reality Of Independence

2008-11-07T12:29:00.026-05:00

For most people, going to the corner store is as simple as getting in to the family car and taking a short trip to get what you need. However, for many it’s not that simple. Whether a person is born with a disability, became disabled from an illness or an unexpected accident or by getting older, independence can be taken away in an instant.

For me, I thought my independence ended in 1984. Sometime during 1976, I noticed my vision started to change. I had difficulty seeing at night-time and my peripheral vision began to narrow. I went to a number of specialists and was told I had everything from cancer of the eye to a simple virus. Finally, in 1978 I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa and Macular Degeneration. The fact that one day I would become totally blind did not deter me from maintaining most of my independence. I was registered legally blind but continued to drive until I was involved in an accident and that was the day I decided my driving days were over.

From 1984 to 1989, maintaining my independence was very difficult. I had to rely on family and friends when I needed to go anywhere. I hated (and still do) asking people for their help. So, my only solution was to either ride public transit or take the shoe leather express. It was in the fall of 1990 when my independence took an about face. After waiting patiently for almost a year, I was finally introduced to my first guide dog “Paser”. For over ten years he was not only my eyes, he was my faithful companion and life saver. No longer did I feel the need to have to rely on family and friends for taking me places. I would simply put Paser’s harness on and away we went. With the help of Paser and now my new guide dog “Cosmo”, I have seen life in a different perspective. Nothing stands in my way of accomplishing my hopes and dreams. I have been very fortunate to have a supportive circle of family and friends and I have been blessed with a wife and soul-mate that has the same passion as I do about many important issues in our society.

Through all of this, I have learned many valuable lessons. But there is one that is always on my mind and that is; no matter what we face in our life, we cannot change the past. Cherish the special moments you may have in your life and look for ways how you CAN do things rather than why you Can’t do things. Try to find ways to maintain what little independence you may have. Don’t miss out on the important things in life because of your lack of independence.

You are in control of your own destiny !

A Couple Of Tuttle's Launch New Blog

2008-11-06T10:32:00.001-05:00

Well, here we are ! The Tuttle's are now officially bloggers. It is our intention to make this NEW blog informative, entertaining and FUN. The theme of course will be related to Service Dogs and the people who use these magnificant animals. I (Wayne) have been blessed with two different Guide Dogs since 1990. My first Guide Dog "Paser" was the ultimate when it comes to Guide Dogs and a faithful companion. After working for ten years, it was time to retire Paser because his health began to fail. Three years later, I had to make the agonizing decision to have Paser put down. Paser was our inspiration to open our first on-line store to help others find Unique and useful pet products. More than once, Paser saved my life. I will write more about that at a later date.

Over the next few days and months, Tina and I will be writing and posting useful articles related to working dogs as well as interesting articles for pet parents. We hope you will come back often to see what's new.