I
use a dog for mobility
 |
My
Dog, George is a Lab and we trained him ourselves (more
on that later) George is a very laid-back lab with a wonderful
desire to help in any way that he can. He assists me in
getting up or sitting down. |
He helps
me up and down stairs one step at a time, and when walking
on the rough terrain of our ranch, he gives me needed stability
and balance. He has almost straightened out my gait, but best
of all he can detect freezing episodes and break them. I have
trained him to pick up anything that I drop and "hand"
it to me (including a
credit card, keys, plates, change, or even a hammer or other
tools that I drop).
He will
also bring me objects that I place a laser pointer light on
including full 2 liter bottles of pop (soda, for you easterners).
He goes everywhere that I do including commercial airliners,
VA hospital, etc., etc.
( no one can deny him access to any place that I go).
George
responds to hand signals, verbal commands, and he neck reins
like a roping horse for the days when I have trouble telling
him to halt, back-up, etc. Most of the time
he carries small back packs with my meds, inhalers, and a
hand held 2 way FM radio etc. but he can also manage quite
a load of groceries (with the handles of the plastic sacks
tied together he parades proudly out to the parking lot like
a pack horse). At the big WalMart he can take me to where
we have parked the truck. We are still working on the H/C
door opener buttons and helping me to pull jacket sleeves
and pants off. George is only 3 and has been working in public
since he was a year old.
We breed
large labs that are laid-back and have the correct temperament
for this type of work and even do some pre training. George
uses a support harness that came from Trainer's
Choice (approx. $60)
You cannot
use them to pull a wheel chair until after age 2 as their
backs are not fully developed and solidified yet.
I hope
that this has been the info that you need, but I would be
happy to provide more info on the dogs, training, etc. of
list if you would like.
Also an
organization in Pheonix
www.topdog.org
has two excellent books available that teach persons with
disabilities how to train their own service dogs ( about $32
US for both). senarios for even somone in a wheelchair to
train their own dog. Included is a crash course on dog psychology,
and scenarios for most situations.
Rob
The
above story "Training A Dog To Help", was given
to me through the courtesy of Rob at: Meadow Creek Ranch,
with my thanks.
