Service Dog Experiences

[Deq33]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could tell me their experiences with having a service dog. Do you think it helped a lot in public situations? Was it worth the expense and training? Thank you!

 

[Gerald Wilgus]

I have only been exposed to guide dogs. One winter I guided a blind nordic skier in Ski For Light. At the facility we were at there were innumerable guide dogs. I have never seen such well disciplined dogs, focused on their owners. Intently. Nothing disturbed that focus.

 

[Luca]

Hi!
I have a service dog (in training) and I post a lot about her on here!

We are currently taking classes with a professional trainer in order for me to make her job “official.” I wouldn’t feel comfortable calling her a service dog unless she had gone through an advanced obedience certificate program with an professional trainer, which we are.
I also participate in competitive obedience with all of my dogs.

I have had some really bad experiences with people in public but the majority of our outings to public spaces are positive or neutral (most people ignore her, as they should. Occasionally we are hassled but usually by random people, not business owners.)

She is training as a medical service dog and performs a wide variety of tasks which I do find really helpful. She is actually not for autism though so I’m not sure how helpful my experience would be for you, if you are looking for an autism service dog.

I purchased her from a breeder at 7 weeks old for about $2500 USD. She came from outside of the US.
I pay about $400 a month for professional obedience training and task-specific service dog training.
For me, the expenses are worth it! And my family also helps financially (I live independently.)

I’d be happy to discuss things in more detail if you’d like.
- Luca

*edited for clarity because my initial post didn’t answer some of the questions.

 

[Zhantera]

I have two and have trained both of mine, with the help of a training program.
It helps in certain ways. Like, my bigger sd does directional help because I dissociate. he can find exits, my car, or find help. He does dpt and self harm interrupts. He also helps when I elope. my smaller sd handles meltdowns. They both help around the house as well.
There are certain things that may be a consideration with having a sd, though. Like, particularly, if a person happens to have a lot of social anxiety, it could actually make it worse- people will approach, ask questions. I've been followed, stared at, had pictures taken.
Another thing is training time. Most sd are around 2 by the time they are fully considered sd. My lab just turned 3 and he just finished his two years a few months ago. So it's not a quick solution. And then, you have to figure in when he/she will retire. it's super common to see people with one sd and one in training. I have that right now, and it is super hard.
And yes, expenses. My lab cost me 7k the first year, and about 5k each year after that. And that's just my sd. My sdit is another several thousand. my entire income pretty much goes into my dog's training.
I'm not meaning to sound negative, I do love my dogs very much and they have made so much possible for me. They keep me safe. But if I had been given any other way of handling my issues, I probably would opt for it.

 

[tree]

I figured out:
sd = service dog
sdit = service dog in training

dpt, I had to look up.
Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT)

 

[Zhantera]

oh whoops. My apologies. I spew out acronyms like a machine