#and 2. that is pet friendly as I am considering getting an emotional support/service dog once I get my feet under me | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

queerautism · 4 years

Text

Am I exploiting my dog?

Yesterday I asked @severelynerdysheep if I'm exploiting my dog by having him as an assistance dog in training (assistance dog is the legal UK term for service dog), and they linked me to this article.

It's an incredibly bad piece. Let's go through it.

"Firstly, it should be obvious to most observers that many service animals are being harmed. Police canine units and military animals are often intentionally cruelly treated as part of the training process"

'Service animal' is not a term interchangeable with 'working dog'. These are not service animals and irrelevant to the discussion. Though, for the record, police and military dogs just shouldn't be a thing and their training is garbage.

"The question of exploitation and harm is more nuanced when it comes to service animals used to assist those with disabilities, such as emotional support animals or guide dogs for the blind."

Really, those are the two examples you're going for? Emotional support animals are NOT service animals, and do not need to have any kind of special training that a pet wouldn't have, or perform any tasks outside of their presence being a comfort. Lumping them together does a huge disservice to disabled people, and it's an extremely common misconception by people who know very little about actual service work.

Only mentioning guide dogs for the blind also isn't great, because it's the only kind a lot of ableist people know about and recognise, which means a lot of handlers get told we don't really need our dogs, because we aren't blind. You had an opportunity to actually bring up the amazing diversity of service dogs here (autism dogs, psychiatric service dogs, Medical alert dogs, etc) and educate people, but instead reinforced misconceptions and stereotypes.

"These animals are not usually subjected to stressors which any ordinary companion animal wouldn’t be"

This is not exactly true. Service dogs deal with many situations and environments ordinary pets don't, of course. But you cannot define for a dog what they should perceive as a 'stressor', anymore than you can decide what a dog should or shouldn't find aversive. Many dogs find loud noises stressful and aversive. Mine, as a service dog in training, does not, and hasn't ever, since he comes from a line of working dogs bred to be very 'gunsteady', which means hunting dogs who wouldn't be scared of the loud sound of a gunshot.

If a service dog finds these things stressful, they'll wash out and not be one anymore.

"these animals are still being exploited for human gain, they are bred, raised and trained solely for human benefit."

And we come back to the central idea of exploitation. I just don't get it. It's like these people can't imagine building a mutualistic relationship with a dog, based on trust, where you work as a team. Where the dog also benefits.

What do they think our day to day looks like? What exactly is exploitative about it?

"As for whether or not these animals would be better off were they not service animals, this is something of a moot point, since these animals are bred specifically for the purpose of being service animals."

Actually mostly they are not! Program breeding, where the whole litter is bred for a specific organization and all puppies are expected to be service dog prospects, is quite rare and very much not how most disabled people get their prospects.

It's a lot more common for good breeders with breeds and lines suitable for service work to place some puppies from each litter as prospects, if they seem to have the temperament for it.

As an example, my dog's breeder does not breed exclusively service dogs at all. They are working line poodles, and in my dog's litter there was a lot of variety! - Another one of them also went to service work, I believe two went into dog sport homes, another one into a dog conformation home, and the rest went to pet homes, all depending on their individual traits and what they would be happiest as.

"Service animals are currently very rarely drawn from rescue populations, but this seems like an obvious way to solve a lot of the ethical issues involved with using service animals."

Fun fact, I tried talking to a few rescues, including breed specific rescues, for a few months after I decided I needed a service dog myself. It was my first option.

They all ended up turning me away, saying the same thing. Their dogs had their own difficulties to work through, and the chances of being successful with this training are extremely low. 99% of them simply aren't suitable.

Proper service dog training takes about 3 years. Here you're asking disabled people to adopt dogs with unknown genetics and spend incredible amounts of money and time for a huge chance of failure. It's cruel and dismissive.

Even in the cases where rescue dogs have successfully become service dogs (which of course still happens), they often have a very short working life, because they haven't been bred responsibly and with all the proper health clearances, which leaves them at risk of serious health issues and early death.

"There are groups mounting pressure to only train rescued animals, contrary to popular belief, many breeds of animals are capable of being guide dogs or emotional support animals, and since many dogs in shelters are still young there is little reason to resort to irresponsible breeding practices to fulfil the demand for service animals."

If you want rescue only service animals, you literally don't give a shit about disabled people. We are acceptable casualties to you. What we actually need from our partnership with our dogs is secondary to your ideology here.

Rescue dogs can be excellent emotional support animals, I'll agree there. Because as I said, they aren't service dogs and they don't need any especial training. They are still pets.

They most often cannot be service dogs. Even if they are young, temperament in dogs has a huge genetic component. Dogs that end up in rescues are not responsibly bred (a responsible good breeder will take any dog they produced back at any time, and stays as a secondary contact in the dog's microchip in case they do end up in a rescue somehow), and their unknown genetics not only can cause issues with their temperament and health that makes them unsuitable for work, but also often mean they are not a representative example of the breed and do not show the usual traits that make that breed successful at service work when bred reputably.

Adult temperament does not fully develop until a dog is +3 years old. This means you could do everything right with a young rescue dog, only for them to develop dog reactivity or aggression once they fully grow up.

It is simply not fair to ask every disabled person who needs a service dog to put years of their life into this process while stacking the cards against them like this.

Actual good responsible breeders absolutely exist. They do right by their dogs and work their asses off to bring healthy, sound dogs into this world. No one is talking about irresponsible breeders here.

All of their arguments recap into this:

"1) The animal was not specifically bred for purpose and is a rescued animal.

2) The animal must be treated as a companion rather than a worker, and as such must be properly retired with a loving family once they can no longer work.

3) Animals should not be placed under any stress or put in danger.

4) There should be no viable alternative for the use of service animals."

1) Again, they usually aren't specifically bred, certain lines have a few puppies from each litter that have service work as the best fit for them.

2) Of course they are companions. We're a team. Of course they deserve a happy loving retirement.

3) You cannot avoid all stressors, that's life. Low levels of stress to be overcome actually help dogs build their confidence. Obviously none of us want our dogs in any danger.

4) if you think the stipulations you've presented for service dogs are sufficient to fullfil disable people's needs, I'd love to know what you consider to be a 'viable alternative', because something tells me it ain't gonna be good either.

"An example of this might be a therapy dog who has come from a rescue center as a young dog, and would probably otherwise have been killed."

Most places do not have an overpopulation problem so big they're killing young dogs at rescues. The UK sure doesn't. Young dogs get adopted extremely fast.

Also, a therapy dog is NOT a service dog. You cannot keep using these terms interchangeably and expect me to take your opinion on service dogs seriously.

A therapy dog is simply a pet as well, with a general calm and friendly temperament, that volunteers with their owner to meet and cheer up people. It's a completely different thing with different standards. Many rescue dogs can indeed be excellent therapy dogs!

"We do not have to deny that animal use is exploitation in order to justify service animals in some scenarios. Yes, service animals are being taken advantage of"

Still would love to hear how exactly I'm taking advantage of my dog, or what the alternative 'living with a dog without taking advantage of them' looks like.

"We are seeing some advancements in robotics which look promising as a replacement for service animals, so this may become a non-issue in the not too distance future."

Imagine complaining we're the ones not treating service dogs as living individuals but thinking they can be fully replaced by robots. Amazing.

"Regardless of your viewpoint on this, no negative judgement should ever be placed upon the people who require the use of service animals in order to function, it is not their fault that this is the option that has been given to them, and no one who relies on a service animal should be made to feel bad because of it."

You can say this as much as you want, but it's absurd. You're 100% being extremely ableist and asking disabled people to do things in the most costly, effort and time consuming way to fit in with a morality position which is clearly been developed with no real accurate knowledge of service dog work or training.

Plenty of us have chosen this option with full understanding of what it means, it hasn't been 'given to us'. Don't go 'oh the poor disableds don't know any better tho' like it absolves you of all the shitty things you've just said about us and our dogs.

Anyway I said my piece. Have a cute pic of my dog Kovacs, assistance dog in training for my Autism and CPTSD, currently almost two years old and living his best puppy life. I had to stop writing this for a little while many times because he demanded pets.

#animal welfare #animal rights #service dogs #dogblr #assistance dog

68 notes · View notes

deathcomesinallcolors · 7 years

Text

PSA: the ADA disallows hotels from asking for papers for service animals.

And any able-bodied assholes who complain about this are trash.

Let me explain: I work for a major hotel as a front desk clerk. Lately, the hurricanes stirring things up in the Pacific have had people flocking to our town in panic, looking for safe shelter.

There is no law that requires hotels to accept pets during a natural disaster. (FEMA does, however, have federal funding to find pet owners shelter in facilities that provide for pets, including pet-friendly hotels.) Due to this, people have been fairly worried about finding shelter with their pets. Most have been understanding, but some just have a rat up their ass about their right to bare poodles.

Let me make one thing very clear: the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects the rights of the disabled, because they have less rights than you. I am not giving disabled people more rights than you have, nor am I treating them better than I'm treating you. These guests--these people--require their service animals in order to function in their everyday lives. You do not require your Yorkie in order to live the same as everyone else. I'm sure your Yorkie is lovely, but it is not allowed in my hotel. And if you think this is unfair, the problem is with you, not with the law that grants people rights.

I say this because I just had this exchange with a guest. An older woman, maybe fifty. White, graying, brown frizzy hair. A smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes.

"I have a question for you," she said as she firmly placed her palms on my counter, ready to fight. I knew she'd be trouble immediately. "When people bring their service animals in, do you ask for their certification?"

"No," I said, smiling sheepishly. "Legally, according to the ADA, we can only ask what they're trained for. We can't demand papers or documentation."

"Oh, that's great. That's wonderful. I've been waiting ten months for a friend to take my dog," she said 'dog' like it is indeed a small yorkshire terrier, "so I can finally get a hotel, not at comfort inn. And these past few weeks, hotels all over have just been lousy with service animals! And you just--you just take their word for it?"

"It's all we can do, ma'am. We have to treat them the same as everyone else."

"That's great. Good to know. So they come in here and you ask what they're trained for-- And they say, 'Oh, comfort and love.'" Here, she laughed passive-aggressively, shrill and fake.

"Well, I don't know if therapy dogs--"

"So next time I just bring my dog and you take my word for it. Good to know." She walked away, scoffing that I was respecting the rights of differently abled people who require an animal in order to go about their day. Irritated that she, a white able-bodied woman, couldn't bring her pet to a hotel that doesn't allow pets. How dare all these disabled people have needs????

So, in light of this woman's bitchiness, a PSA: laws that protect people's rights do not take away from your own. To borrow a metaphor, if you have 5 toys and Mary has 3, and I give Mary 2 more toys, you cannot demand, "You gave Mary 2 toys! That means I deserve 2 toys too!!!!"

You sound like a child.

Do not try to take advantage of a law that protects the rights of a large subordinate group that has been long overdue for it. We still have a long way to go.

Also, just for education's sake: emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are (unfortunately) not considered service animals under Title II and III of the ADA. Species that are not dogs are not considered service animals either, but "entities" (that's me, this hotel) "must make reasonable modifications in policies to allow individuals with disabilities to use miniature horses if they have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities." (Source.)

In conclusion, don't be an ass. This has been an unnecessary public service announcement.

#ada #disabled #service animals #hotels #hotel policy #i hate assholes

0 notes

animalfactsus · 7 years

Text

PTSD Service Dogs Top Service Dog Breeds for People with PTSD

youtube

Top Service Dog Breeds For People with PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

While many of us equate Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with military service, according to the US National Institute of Health, at any given time 24.4 million people or approximately 8% of the US population have PTSD. To put that into perspective, that’s equal to the entire population of Texas. And, it can develop at any age, including childhood.

Our canine companions are not new to helping us with our needs and have once again stepped up, helping us to cope with the feelings of fear and lack of control brought on by PTSD.

“Gumbo realizes that Eric is upset, even before Eric realizes it. Amazing instinct and the power to stop panic attacks and tackle PTSD.”

Today, we’re going to get to know these PTSD Service Dog breeds.

Hi, I’m Leroy and I’m Rosie and this is Animal Facts.

Let’s get started. But, before we start, take a moment to like and subscribe for more fun, fauna facts.

We’ll get to the top dog breeds in a bit, but first, let’s look at Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how these service dogs help us to cope with a world of uncertainty.

PTSD is recognized as a psychobiological mental disorder than can affect survivors not only of combat experience, but also terrorist attacks, natural disasters, serious accidents, assault or abuse, or even sudden and major emotional losses.

“His whole nervous system gets highjacked and he is no longer here psychologically. He’s back someplace else where there’s danger.”

After the event, you may feel scared, confused, or angry. In PTSD, these symptoms don’t just simply go away. They may disrupt your life, making it hard to continue with your daily activities. Some cases may be delayed, with only subtle symptoms showing up initially and more severe symptoms emerging months after the traumatic event.

According to Canines for Hope, A Specially Trained PTSD Dog can provide a sense of security, calming effects, and physical exercise that can make a positive difference in the lives of those that suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Like all assistance dogs, a psychiatric service dog is individually trained to do work or perform tasks that mitigate his handler’s disability.

“Kisses from Frankie bring Allen back to the present.”

“Good kisses, good kisses.”

A trained PTSD Service Dogs can help adjust serotonin levels, help lower blood pressure, help with episodes of depression, help with feeling loved, provide companionship, calm his handler, and prevent people from crowding around or rushing up on his handler.

“A year ago, I couldn’t even walk to a 7-11 and get a pack of gum.”

Combine these with the other proven benefits to mental health of owning a dog and you’ll see why many are turning to our best friend for help.

So what are we looking for in a PTSD service dog candidate? According to thisableveteran.org, “Temperament is key. Our dogs must be steady in every situation, must never display aggression, must have a high level of self-control, and be physically able to perform the duties we ask of them. And, each PTSD service dogs must be seen as approachable to the general public.”

In the psychiatric dog field, there are two types of dog. One is the service dog and the other is the emotional support dog. While emotional support dogs are pets who do not need training other than perhaps basic obedience, service dogs are professionally trained to do specific tasks that help their handlers cope with a disability.

So which breeds are we turning to? Let’s find out. If you’ve watched our other videos about service dogs, you’ll see a few familiar faces in this list, but you’ll find a few new ones as well.

“He calls Axel a prescription on two legs.”

1. Labrador Retriever

Once again, we’re starting off with the Labrador Retriever. The Lab is going to lead most lists of service dogs, and for good reason.

“Joe is 5 years old. He’s a black and tan lab.”

Due to his superior intelligence and gentle disposition, this easy-to-train pooch is the perfect candidate to be a service dog of any type, especially Psychiatric Service Dog, as a Lab is well-known known for his friendliness, sociability, and loving nature.

“The amazing thing about training service dogs for veterans is the ability to affect the way that these people live on a day to day basis. To be able to change the life of another human being.”

2. Golden Retriever

Likewise, the Golden Retriever will also always rise to the top of service dog candidates. He has the superior intelligence of the Labrador, as well as the disposition and trainability, required for a service dog, as well as a docile, safe and adaptable personality. And, he possesses an innate intuition as to the emotional state of his handler.

These two breeds are often mixed for service dog work, combining the distinct qualities that make the breeds superior service dogs. This mix, called a Goldador in most circles, is intelligent, highly trainable, and combines the tolerance of the Lab with the intuition of the Golden.

“No matter how you may feel about yourself, your dog loves you anyway.”

3. Standard Poodle

The brightest of the bright, this showy dog is easily trainable given his exceptional level of intelligence and eager-to-please personality. Affectionate and good natured, he excels in obedience training and makes for a wonderful, loyal companion and psychiatric service dog.

He easily excels in the job of a service dog and is widely noted for being low shedding and hypoallergenic. An added advantage is that his coat allows for some really cool hairdos.

4. Doberman Pinscher

Known as an exceptional guardian, military and service dog, the Dobie is also a trustworthy and affectionate breed whose commanding presence makes him a great fit for those suffering from PTSD and related panic attacks. When simple tasks such as a walk to the corner store are too daunting, the presence of this loyal friend can help deliver a sense of safety and security.

“They want to go to grocery stores. They wanna go to their daughter or son’s school and watch ‘em in a play.”

5. Border Collie

Easily one of the most intelligent breeds around, this working dog is devoted, friendly and intelligent, and his sole focus in life is to please his owner. Because Psychiatric Service dogs are intended to ground their owner during panic attacks by providing physical comfort, this pooch’s highly intuitive personality makes him a great fit for those prone to panic attacks. It might be noted that he is a high-energy dog and should likely be paired with an active handler.

Should you get a dog for your PTSD? Well, that’s beyond the scope of this video and should be discussed with both your doctor and family. But, I’ll provide a link to a good article from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as any resources I find below.

Want more fun, fauna facts? Go ahead and smash that subscribe button and hit the notification icon to not miss a single fact. If you like THIS video, go ahead and push the like button, or that other button also works. If you’d like to help us grow, consider becoming a patron on Patreon or clicking the Paypal link on AnimalFacts.us. And as always catch ya next time.

GET TWO FREE AUDIO BOOKS

Article on PTSD Service Dogs from US Department of Veterans Affairs

This Able Veteran – http://ift.tt/10X2uEe

PTSD Service Dogs Top Service Dog Breeds for People with PTSD was first posted on July 1, 2017 at 11:35 am. ©2017 "Animal Facts". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at [email protected] from PTSD Service Dogs Top Service Dog Breeds for People with PTSD

#PTSD Service Dogs Top Service Dog Breeds for People with PTSD

0 notes

animalfactsus · 7 years

Text

Top 5 Service Dog Breeds for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

youtube

Top 5 Service Dog Breeds for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

http://ift.tt/1k6ZInT

A 2013 study suggests that 1 in 45 children aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and in 2014 the US Center for Disease Control estimated that 3.5 million Americans live with an ASD. Most likely due to better diagnosis techniques, the prevalence of ASD in US children increased nearly 120 percent over the 10-year span from 2000 to 2010. And, as always, man has turned to his best friend for assistance and the dog has unique qualities that make him great for new his role.

Let’s get started. But, before we start, take a moment to like and subscribe for more fun, fauna facts.

According to Project Chance, “autism assistance dogs are unique to the world of dogs helping people. Unlike the guide dog who helps with physical tasks, the autism assistance dog is there more for emotional support.”

We’re going to list the top 5 candidates for autism service dogs in just a moment, but let’s look at some of the ways a service dog can help a child with ASD.

A service dog can work wonders for a child with autism, helping to soothe an autistic child who is having an emotional outburst due to environmental stimuli or feeling overwhelmed. The therapy dog can reduce some of the repetitive behaviors seen in autistic children, such as rocking back and forth for hours. He can calm a child helping him fall asleep at night and give a child the self-confidence needed to interact socially. Some therapy dogs can even be trained to prevent an autistic child from wandering off by circling the child and barking to alert caregivers or can be harnessed to the child.

So what are we looking for in a dog for an autistic child? According to Danielle Foster, Executive Director of National Service Dogs, “When you’re dealing with autism, you need dogs that are very, very calm, very quiet, very laid back.“ [0:54 What Happened When Autistic Boy Got A Dog?] Dogs who are loyal, friendly, forgiving of a child’s mistakes, understanding and in tune with the child’s needs are ideal.

While almost any dog, with proper training, can become a service dog, we’ve chosen to exclude breeds with traits that may make them less adept at being autism service dogs. For example, herding dogs, although highly intelligent and make great companions have a tendency to nip as part of their herding behavior. Extra large breeds may intimidate a child and the smaller breeds may not be robust enough for the child or the child may disagree with yapping.

But you may find a few surprises on this list.

Now we present the Top 5 service dog breeds for children with autism.

1. Labrador Retriever

Labrador Retriever

Yes, we’re starting this list with number one, because well, it was just way too obvious. Over the past several decades, the Labrador Retriever has proven himself among the highest qualified breeds as a service dog companion. As a breed, he’s a natural companion and meets all the requirements for the task.

Among the many benefits he can bring to the life of an autistic child is the way he builds the child’s confidence, helps the child to reduce anxiety attacks, stimulates his imagination and desire to communicate, encourages his self-control and – as he is a very sociable and loving dog- he is great at integrating a child into his environment.

2. Golden Retriever

Golden Retriever

Like his cousin the Labrador, the Golden Retriever is the quintessential family dog. He is the first breed that most parents think of when choosing a family dog for their child. This is because he has all the right characteristics to be a fantastic companion. He is also one of the special breeds that can become an amazing assistance dog owing to his docile, safe and adaptable personality.

He is very affectionate with children and is great at reading emotions. For example, if one day the child is more active and happy, the dog will encourage him to play and have lots of fun together. If on the other hand, the child feels a bit subdued, the Golden Retriever will stay by his side and maintain a very quiet position, almost saying “I’m here when you need me” while at the same time transmitting all his love to the child.

It might be noted that many service dog organizations often use a Golden Retriever / Labrador Retriever Mix as their preferred service dog. This hybrid breed does have a name, it’s called a Goldador and combines the sensitivity of the Golden with the tolerance of the Lab.

3. Labradoodle or Goldendoodle

Labradoodle

The Labradoodle or Goldendoodle take the qualities of either breed above and mix that with the intelligence and hypoallergenic nature of the Poodle. You get a breed that makes the perfect service dog for the autistic child that suffers from allergies. Yes, we’re combining two different breeds, but the similarities are so close that we are including them as one. Like their pure-bred counterparts, the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle exhibit all the friendly, nurturing behaviors needed for an autism service dog, without all the sneezing and watery eyes. You may also find a Golden Retriever Labrador Retriever-Poodle mix in use, but you’re on your own on what to call the breed. A Goldadoradoodle?

4. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Staffordshire Bullterrier

Yes, he is a Pit Bull (not to be confused with the also awesome American Pit Bull Terrier and American Staffordshire Terrier both of which are excellent family dogs). The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a dog that makes an impression because of his muscular and robust frame. However, behind its strong physical appearance lies a very docile dog that is considered one of the best breeds to accompany an autistic child. In fact, he is known to be excellent with children.

The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is loyal, trustworthy and has a phenomenal character. And, he loves to be together with his family. You’ll see him accompany the child to wherever the child wants to go, even when it’s time to go to bed. He is truly affectionate and obedient, and if trained properly, this dog will provide the best care for the child. Another plus is that he has absolutely no problem chilling on the couch all day if that’s what the child wants to do.

5. A Mutt

Yes, a mutt. And while we can’t specifically call him a breed, on average, your standard run of the mill mongrel has very stable mental and physical attributes and is not “bred” for extremes like many purebred dogs. These characteristics, or lack thereof, can make a mix breed a competent family pet as well as a service dog. While we highly recommend professional counseling on the selection of a dog for an autistic child, for a high functioning autistic child, a trip to a local animal rescue organization may be beneficial. Keep in mind that most animal shelters also house many purebred dogs as well. Many shelters also have foster programs that aim at socializing the dog before adopting him to a permanent home or “forever home”. There’s a high likelihood that he has been fostered with children, but it never hurts to ask a lot of questions before adopting a pet for any child.

This video is for edutainment purposes only and I am not qualified as a child psychologist or a professional dog trainer. When making a choice for your child, we encourage you to seek professional advice and will provide links to professional assistance dog organizations in the description of the video.

Top 5 Service Dog Breeds for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder was first posted on June 27, 2017 at 11:02 am. ©2017 "Animal Facts". Use of this feed is for personal non-commercial use only. If you are not reading this article in your feed reader, then the site is guilty of copyright infringement. Please contact me at [email protected] from Top 5 Service Dog Breeds for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

#Top 5 Service Dog Breeds for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

0 notes