Service Dog Fund
As my current service dog begins her way to full retirement, I find myself in need of another to take up the reigns. Having a full time working service dog enabled me to remain involved in my community, go to difficult doctor appointments without a human aide, function safely inside of my home alone, be independent when relying on a wheelchair or other mobility equipment, and transfer from laying and seated positions without the assistance of another human.
I have found a service dog prospect for myself from a breeder near Raleigh, NC. He is a started Labrador puppy with basic housebreaking and crate training completed. He is confident, curious, and unperturbed by new experiences. His energy level is a good fit for my needs and he is very responsive to shaping (a training technique) to lay the necessary foundation for good service dog behavior. His parents are clear of all common Labrador diseases and are OFA normal/good. Based on his parents, he should reach an appropriate size for the tasks in which I will need to train him. It is very important that I have at least a started puppy to work from as my disabilities make it unfeasible for me to potty train a younger puppy.
Although I am confident in my ability to task train another dog for my disabilities (also known as "owner training") without the assistance of another trainer, I will be seeking trainer support in order to help this puppy through its developing/growth stages and achieve a Canine Good Citizenship title. In order to do this, we will need to attend and pass at least 3 separate 7 week courses. His most ideal training path will require 6 separate 7 week courses as this will also get him to a point where he could obtain the additional CGC Urban title and begin work in skills such as scent training and formalized training for handling environments such as hospitals and rehab centers. As my service dog, these are skills that he will be using regularly in order to help me mitigate my disabilities while in public and when I am undergoing medical treatments or care.
Service dog training from puppyhood takes approximately 18-24 months to complete and to allow the dog to mature enough physically and emotionally to handle the work. By the time he is 24 months of age, he will need a series of X-rays performed called OFA to officially clear his joints for mobility service dog work. This is crucial for both the safety of the dog and myself, the handler. The training and veterinary care associated with raising a service dog is not cheap and the only way I can make this need a reality is with your financial support. You can support with as little as $10 or you can view some of the costs listed below and choose one to support in full. All financial support is deeply appreciated. Help Hope Live is a 501c3 non-profit and, as a result, all contributions that you make will be tax deductible.
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