Comfy Critters Service dog Coaching

Service Dogs are defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act as dogs that are specifically trained to help people with disabilities.  Did you know that Service dogs are not just dogs that assist those with vision impairments called Guide dogs? There are Service dogs that are trained to perform specific behaviors to help people with disabilities and these behaviors are referred to as tasks.  For Example, a dog may be taught to pick up a dropped object for a person with a mobility impairment, they can be taught to alert a person who is deaf to a sound like a ringing phone, or help a person dealing with a panic attack find the nearest exit. A service dog coach helps people with disabilities train their own dog to assist them as a service dog.  

Mobility Assistance Dog

Psychiatric Service Dog

Hearing Dogs

Requirements for the Owner:

* Have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act

* 18 or older unless assisted with guardian

* Able to commit time to practicing with your dog regularly between appointments.

* Aware that you may end up with a dog that can only help at home or in places pets are allowed. Up to 50% of Service dog candidates in programs are not able to complete training and work in places pets are not permitted.

* Willing to wait until we evaluate your dog's suitability and help you train your dog foundation skills before putting service dog identification on your dog and before taking your dog to places pets are not permitted.

* Have support from your licensed healthcare provider for use of a service dog.

Requirements for the Dog:

* No history of aggression towards dogs, people or other animals

* Easily trained.  A breed or mix likely to have characteristics suitable for service work such as Labradors and Golden retrievers, although each dog will be assessed as an individual I do find some breeds are more likely to exhibit characteristics suitable for service work than others.

* No history of any serious behavior problems like fear or separation anxiety

* Under age of 4, physically healthy

* Friendly with all kinds of people

* Non-confrontational with dogs and other animals

* No predatory behavior

* Confident in different environments

* Calm, not too excitable

* Easy to live with

Service dog training requires specific knowledge, skills and education that most pet dog trainers don't have. Partnering with the right dog training professional is essential to your success.

Service Dog Coaches  (SDCs) are uniquely qualified to work with people with disabilities training their own service dogs.

• SDCs are accomplished professional trainers with a formal education in canine training and behavior, experience and a track record of success.
• SDCs have completed an advanced, one- of- a- kind program that focuses on every facet of service dog training, including service dog laws, temperament selection, assistance task training, public-access training and working with people with disabilities.
• SDCs understand that your dog is so much more than a "tool." SDCs follow a code of ethics and are committed to using science-based, positive training methods as recommended by the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior.

 SDC Code of Ethics

 Client Protections

1. SDCs provide professional services to clients without discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or national origin.  
2. SDCs respect the boundaries of their expertise. SDCs consult with healthcare providers (e.g., doctors, therapists, and rehabilitation professionals) when appropriate, for example, in the selection of service dog tasks.

Dog Protections

1. SDCs use dog training methods that emphasize rewarding desired behaviors and management to prevent unwanted behavior. They do not use or recommend aversive training tools or techniques, including, but not limited to, electronic (shock) collars, choke chains, prong collars, nor other pet correction tools.
2. SDCs consider and provide for the behavioral, emotional, and physical needs of dogs in their work. They consider dogs’ welfare in all aspects of training and in selecting service dog tasks that are appropriate for the dog.
3. SDCs educate clients on indications of stress in dogs and the importance of daily environmental enrichment, play, quiet rest, and unstructured downtime for service dogs.  
4. SDCs respect the boundaries of their expertise. SDCs consult with and refer to veterinarians, veterinary behaviorists, and other qualified experts when appropriate. 

Public Protections

1. SDCs respect the rights of business owners and the public. SDCs consider the needs of the public and business owners in selecting and preparing service dogs and their handlers for public-access work. 

Professionalism

1. SDCs exhibit professional conduct in their work. SDCs respect client confidentiality at all times. SDCs are cordial to colleagues in all forms of communication, including social media. 
2. SDCs remain knowledgeable of and abide by laws that relate to their work. This includes federal and state laws pertaining to service dogs and service dogs in training.
3. SDCs take reasonable measures for the safety of clients, dogs, and the public.
4. SDCs avoid making claims about service dogs’ abilities, benefits, and training that are not been supported nor substantiated by scientific research. 
5. SDCs show integrity in their business practices. They provide clients with accurate information on fees and do not guarantee training outcomes. 

 Service dog training and evaluation. 

1. SDCs recognize that most pet dogs are not suited for public-access work.  Some dogs who are not appropriate for public-access work may be trained to perform tasks to help people with disabilities in their homes. SDCs recognize that for some people with disabilities an “at home only” service dog may provide invaluable support.  
2. SDCs recognize that service dogs performing public-access work must be behaviorally and physically sound. SDCs carefully evaluate dogs selected for this rigorous work and refer to meaningful standards, including those delineated in the SDC program.
3. SDCs recognize that service dogs must not exhibit aggressive, threatening, nor other potentially unsafe behavior. SDCs will not train a dog for service work if they are aware that the dog has also been trained for protection work. 
4. SDCs acknowledge that service dogs must be adequately and appropriately trained and they carefully prepare dogs for this work. SDCs recognize that the initial service dog training process typically takes approximately 24 months.  Thereafter, regular and frequent maintenance training is required for the duration of the dog’s career.
5. While SDCs may offer some education, consultation and training services online or remotely, SDCs recognize the limitations of this type of work. When working with service dog teams or teams in training, SDCs provide the vast majority of their training services in person. All evaluations/assessments and public access training are conducted in person.

An ESA describes animals that provide comfort just by being with a person.  Because they are not trained to perform a specific job or task, they do not qualify as service animals under ADA.  Therapy dogs have owners take their dogs to places they have been requested to help other people. For example, therapy dogs may be invited to a hospital to visit patients. Public access for therapy dogs is not protected by the ADA.  Service dogs is a dog trained to assist a person with a disability.