FedExMan
Weslaco, Texas
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Does anyone here travel with a service dog? I have bilateral meniere's disease and basically have no balance. I look like a drunk even walking with my cane. I have found out that service dogs called balance dogs are available for disabled folks with these types of issues. Just wondering how difficult it would be to travel with one.
dennise
Paul and Dennise Ziaja
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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From the service dogs that I have seen, it would be easy to travel with them. These dogs are trained to focus on your commands and what you need. They don't get distracted -- that is my understanding.
Have you had a chance to ask your doctor for the local service dog groups in your area? This group may be able to answer lots of questions.
My sister had a co-worker who was in a wheelchair and her service dog was amazing! I hope you can find an expert in your city to you give you the details.
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
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dllfo
Sacramento, CA
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Define traveling. RV traveling? Pretty simple. Flights? Cruises?
More complicated. Also, it would sound like you need a "bracing type" service dog, a larger dog. Not as easy to travel with on a flight, etc.
We thought about taking ours on a cruise, but need to feed her. She is "raw fed" at home. A quarter chicken daily (uncooked). Bones are soft when uncooked. Dog food is easier to carry, but our dog does not like it as well.
So traveling with a lab or retriever is harder unless you are doing it in an RV and even then it takes forethought for us.
* This post was
edited 07/18/08 09:19pm by dllfo *
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kalynzoo
Los Angeles , California
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We travel with a small companion dog. When she has her vest on we have never had a problem. We do not take her places where she might not be wanted. I find no reason to take her to a restaurant as my wife and I are together. But the vest does make State and National parks accessible, along with trams and shuttles. Example, the FMCA convention is not real pet friendly, although pets are allowed in the campgrounds, but not the exhibit areas. A marked companion dog was welcome in all venues, and made the convention accessible for us.
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dllfo
Sacramento, CA
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I take my Service Dog to a restaurant 3 times a week to keep her used to public dining places. She is always the biggest hit there and I have to keep her under the table.
With me eating, as well as others, I don't want her to forget her manners. She wears her vest and no one ever says a word. I do have to watch for crayons, etc. under the tables.
Same with the hospital. She is usually the center of attention after a few minutes.
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Hiker3
Florida
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Joined: 01/21/2007
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dllfo wrote:I take my Service Dog to a restaurant 3 times a week to keep her used to public dining places. She is always the biggest hit there.
Yes, I think folks are always amazed at how well-trained and polite service dogs are in public. It is incredible to watch them work.
And is it true that service dogs know when they are "off duty" (when the vest comes off at home?)
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T_Bone
Arizona
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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I wish my Lab was as well mannored as a service dog. He minds me but takes liberty's with my wife commands.
I'm in the hospital for a halo brace on my right leg, three 1/4" lag bolts screwed into the bone, three 3/32" SS wires running under the skin for stability, then some nice 3/8" SS solid external bars keeping everything rigid and the nurse over hear's our conversastion about how much my Lab is missing me and suggests my wife bring him into hospital for a visit.
He's a big puppy, 118lbs, and the first thing he would do is hike his leg, so that's out of the question. So we're thinking of how to handle the first visit home in week. He likes to welcome us when we wake up or have been gone to the store. This takes anywhere from a couple minutes to 5min, every day, every time, even for a nap.
So I use my crutchs to get to the RV, open the door and position my broken leg inside the door on the floor then set down on the floor in the open door way. This way he could "see" me and if he didn't jump over me, he couldn't hurt my leg. About a 15min greeting 
We've been taking our puppy in the RV for the past 10yrs without any problems. And no, I swear I bought my crew cab for the Grandchildern
T_Bone
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dllfo
Sacramento, CA
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My service dog KNOWS when work is over because the vest comes off and I tell her "Free Puppy".
My wife takes her to Lend-A-Heart Therapy sessions at retirement homes.
After a few hours there, she (Tolly, our dog) gets home, is told "Free Puppy" and she jumps straight up in the air, then runs in circles for awhile. If I tease her a little she will run laps through the house, using the couch for a "berm" or "bank shot". As fast as she runs, she has NEVER hit one of the grandsons yet. Our youngest just started walking. He will even step in front of her and she goes around him or over him. Which he thinks is wonderful. He (19 months old) laughs and claps his hands.
So yes, my service dog "lets her hair down" after a strenuous session.
Our Ham Operator group has been having breakfast in the same restaurant, the same booth, for 21 years. She goes there the 3 mornings a week. The people who eat there mostly know her, but only say hi. If they want to pet her, I make her sit next to them and they can pet her. My wife told me to do this so the dog understands there is work and this is different I guess. Like most husbands, I do as I am told. It has worked great so far.
EDIT: I am trying to talk my wife into doing dog training over the internet/telephone. If you have a 115 pound lab that does not listen well, she might be able to tell a person how to deal with it. Or not.
Not every dog can be a service dog. Even Labs (as precious as they are) have some who might not be a good Service dog.
* This post was
edited 07/19/08 11:13am by dllfo *
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CanineCaravan
Headin West!
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Joined: 07/22/2008
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Hi, guys; Brand new neebie here. ;-) I've traveled extensively with my service dogs over the past ten years... though most of the time was spent in my conversion van and hotels.
I'm looking into getting a small motorhome and fulfilling my 13 year dream of heading West to TN. Hoping to be "on the road" next year ;-)
I have a traumatic brain injury and MS. Convential canes don't work well for me, and I've used my dogs for balance (in addition to many other tasks). Traveling with a well trained service dog is simply an extension of yourself. No issues to speak of.
Hope this helps ;-) I do have a lot more information about service dogs, what they do, how to go about obtaining one, ect... on my website, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post it here?
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djncas
Waynesboro Pa.
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FedExman, I have the same type problem as you but mine is due to a spine injury. I have a German Rottweiler Service dog. He helps me to steady myself if I have to go down on one knee. If there is no furniture close enough to use to get back up. Also he helps me to steady myself if I need to pick something off the floor. Because of his strength and size he has been a life saver. As far as camping with him we did have to get a larger TT with a slide this year, our old TT was a 19 ft without a slide, in it we always had to tell him to move. Anyway when I Take him to campgrounds so far there has been no issues. I do carry a Service dog ID from the ADA and also have a perscription from my doctor for a Service Dog as well as as his vest that he wears. So know one can deny me of having him. He also is 7 years old and I did not get him from a agency. I have had him for 4yrs now,and after the first month with him he began to notice my disability and would stay close to me. So I began to train him for my needs. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to email me.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.
Carl and "D"
Drago the Rotten Rotty (Service Dog)
2007 4x4 Quad Cab Hemi Ram/ 2008 Keystone Hornet 26 RBS
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