 Service Dogs: Medically Impaired
Working
Like Dogs: The Service Dog Guidebook (2007)
Written by Marcie Davis and Melissa Bunnell, this an absolutely FABULOUS
addition to the service dog literature. The authors define it as an A to Z
resource book, and it certainly lives up to the promise. Honestly, we have not
seen another book like it and can say from all the questions that come our way,
that is is desperately needed. We are hoping that it does fill a void out there
for the many people who are interested in obtaining a service dog. It is truly a
must-read for … anyone considering a service dog; a person who has a service
dog; a person who is responsible for the care of a service dog; or, anyone who
wants to learn more about the service dog partnership.
Great resource listings included the following:
50+ Service Dog Commands; Important Questions to Ask a Potential
Service Dog Agency; Basic Service Dog Travel Tips; Planning for Separation; The
Veterinarian’s Service Dog Checklist; Safety Tips; Service Dog Emergency Kit;
Service Dog First Aid Kit; Important Questions about your Service Dog’s
Retirement; Strategies for An Impending Retirement; The Euthanasia Plan;
Questions to Ask When Considering Euthanasia / Process of Euthanasia; Creative
Healing (18 creative activities); and, Explaining Loss to Others.
Clicker
Train your own Assistance Dog DVD/CD SET
This set was produced by Barbara Handelman in 2004. These DVDs empower people with
disabilities to train their own dogs basic skills like targeting as well as more advanced
skills such as retrieving, scent discrimination, and assisting with tasks of daily living.
Clear instructions on the training of various skills are relevant to animal assisted
therapy handlers as well as assistance dog handlers. The series is invaluable for people
with disabilities seeking to train their pet dog or an assistance dog, and is equally
important for the professional pet dog trainer who would like to more effectively work
with clients with disabilities. Includes the following:
1) Ready Aim Touch: Basic Target Training and Advanced Applications (approx 45 min) How to
train nose targeting and foot targeting behaviors. Using targeting to work with light
switches, drawers and cabinet doors, and handicapped access doors. 2) You Want Me To Do
What?!? (approx. 45 min) Teaching position changes including: backing, turning in place,
moving under, around and behind. Helping with tasks of daily living such as taking off
socks and jackets, brace and fall prevention and recovery from falls. 3) A Tale of Two
Skills: The Marriage of Target and Retrieve: (approx 45 min) All phases of training the
basic retrieve PLUS: Demonstrations of Sue Ailsby’s “Two Grab Method;”
Proofing the “HOLD” with Debi Davis. Scent Discrimination using Kay
Laurence’s Methods. Using Scent Searching to find keys, phones and other personal
items. 4) Part 1: Of Dogs, Doors and Self Control (approx 25 min) Opening and closing
interior and exterior doors, loading and unloading from vans and cars; Teaching
self-control techniques. Line Farr’s method of training: “Wait at
Doorways”. Part 2: Preview of the DVD Series: Temperament Assessments With Dee
Ganley, CPDT, CABC/CDBC (approx 30 min) Evaluating temperament when selecting Assistance
Dog and Therapy Dog Candidates. Demonstrations and discussion of temperament assessments
with puppies and older dogs.
The
Angel by My Side
By Mike Lingenfelter & David Frei. Won the Dog Writer's Association of America's
Award, Best General Interest Book of 2003! Mike Lingenfelter was ready for his life to be
over. Two serious heart attacks and open-heart surgery had taken away most of the good
things that he had in his life. He just didn't care anymore. His doctors still held out
hope for him, however, and they kept trying to find ways to motivate him to get out of the
house and exercise. Their vision was that an energetic dog on a leash might do that for
Mike. And so it was that this Golden Retriever named Dakota, who had been rescued himself,
came to help Mike with his therapy. Their relationship wasn't supposed to be anything too
profound or metaphysical or scientific, but as it turns out, at the other end of the leash
was much more than a dog. Dakota gave Mike back his dignity, his pride, and his life.
Early on it became evident to Mike that this wonderful 98 pound, red-haired, 4-legged
angel had a special gift: Dakota was a spirit guide, and it was Mike's duty to share him
and the power of the human-animal bond. Dakota continually helped make miracles happen,
for Mike and for others. But ultimately, as part of that journey, one more miracle was
needed, as Dakota fought a courageous and dignified battle for his own life.
With Alex by My
Side (2000)
Written by Joel Davis. When Joel first acquired Alex as a pet, he didn't even know that
seizure-alert dogs existed. But when Joel had his first seizure out of doors, while
walking with his wife Nancy and Alex, Davis fell unconscious and dropped Alex's leash.
Alex could have run away, or been hit by a car. Instead, Alex came back and began licking
Davis' face until he was conscious again. It was then that Davis realized Alex was more
than a pet. The training took several months but, at its end, Alex had become a fully
trained seizure-alert dog, one of only a hundred or so such assistance dogs in the world.
And now, after several years, he has never once failed to alert Davis to an on-coming
seizure in time for Davis to get to safety. The book chronicles how Joel Davis dealt with
epilepsy, before and after Alex, and the fight for recognition of such a tiny assistance
dog for a seemingly "invisible" disability.
The Golden
Bridge: A Guide to Assistance Dogs for Children Challenged By Autism or Other
Developmental Disabilities (December 2005)
Patty Dobbs Gross provides
both personal and professional advice on how specially bred and trained dogs help to
facilitate communication for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
This important information is a guide for parents dealing with the social emotional
and educational issues related to raising children with challenges. Myths and labels
concerning autism are explored, examined, and redefined. While focused on children, the
advice that Gross shares will be immensely helpful for anyone involved in breeding,
raising, and training dogs to mitigate any type of disability at any age. "The Golden
Bridge" provides advice about living with autism, animal-assisted therapy and autism,
training an assistance dog to work with a child with autism or a developmental disability,
and using an assistance dog to deal with a child's grief. This impressive volume also
contains a vast list of resources—including Web sites—for follow-up information,
a section on books about autism, and a directory of assistance dog providers. Patty Dobbs
Gross is the executive director of a nonprofit organization that places assistance dogs
with children who face special challenges.
A
Friend Like Henry (2007) 
Written by Nuala Gardner. This is the inspiring account of a family’s struggle
to break into their son's autistic world, and how a dog made the real
difference. Dale was still a baby when his parents realized that something
wasn't right. Worried, his mother Nuala took him to see several doctors, before
finally hearing the word ‘autism’ for the first time in a specialist’s office.
Scared but determined that Dale should live a fulfilling life, Nuala describes
her despair at her son's condition, her struggle to prevent Dale being excluded
from a ‘normal’ education and her sense of hopeless isolation. Dale's autism was
severe and violent and family life was a daily battleground.But the Gardner's
lives were transformed when they welcomed a gorgeous Golden Retriever into the
family. The special bond between Dale and his dog Henry helped them to produce
the breakthrough in Dale they had long sought. From taking a bath to saying 'I
love you', Henry helped introduce Dale to all the normal activities most parents
take for granted, and set him on the road to being the charming and
well-adjusted young man he is today.
Please... Don't
Eat the Crayons, Harry! Moving Beyond Attention Deficit (A.D.D./A.D.H.D.) with Help from a
Service Dog Named Harr (2002)
Written by Rita E Kirsch. For ages 9-12. Harry is an adorable, frolicking Bichon Frise who
assists in the Rhinecliff Non-Drug A.D.D./A.D.H.D Program to help kids and adults
effectively and successfully move beyond Attention Deficit Disorder. The Bichon Frise is
known for its loving, frolicking, happy personality. If laughter is good therapy, Harry
provides the best. He moves any person from an uptight "fight or flight"
personality to a connected, calmer, "alpha" state of being. This is an important
first step for moving beyond Attention Deficit Disorder. Includes interactive exercises
for kids and adults as well as a flip book of Harry doing the Bichon buzz. Dr. Rita Kirsch
Debroitner is a certified Social Worker, PhD and Holistic Psychotherapist.
Legal Rights of Guide Dogs,
Hearing Dogs and Service Dogs, 8th Edition
By Michael Roche. New 8th Edition! A guide and reference to the legal rights, by state, of
people with disabilities who use assistance dogs, and for trainers of assistance dogs.
Lists state statutes and Federal regulations regarding assistance dogs.
Hunkback of
Notre Dame & Impawssible Dream (2pc)
By Anders Hallgren. A Swedish animal behaviorist introduces a new,
revolutionary training technique that could save your life! Any dog, small or
large, can be taught to alarm its family for smoke or fire in the home, whether
they live in a house or an apartment. Simple step-by-step program and
illustrative pictures show how dog owners can have a smoke alarm trained dog in
just a few weeks. *This is the first thing of its kind available and should be
part of any dog owner's emergency kit. Back to
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