Cruising With A Service Dog....everything You Ever Wanted To Know!

[S.S. Cruisers]

Fly with the Angels Barb.  You will be with your sweet Valentine now.  

[springredheadsdd]

Bella is now a full Service Dog instead of a SDiT!!! My mom watched our training yesterday and Bella had everything perfect. She knows all the basics, the more advanced basics and is task trained. I saw a video yesterday from a SD trainer that went over what all a SD should be able to do before they are considered fully trained and Bella checked every box. I am so excited. She is my first SD and I did almost all of her training myself with a little bit of help from a trainer at Petco. Bella was born mid July so is still very young but is very mature. I am just so excited. I have her new patches for her vest on order from Etsy. 

[wizard-of-roz]

6 hours ago, springredheadsdd said:

Bella is now a full Service Dog instead of a SDiT!!! My mom watched our training yesterday and Bella had everything perfect. She knows all the basics, the more advanced basics and is task trained. I saw a video yesterday from a SD trainer that went over what all a SD should be able to do before they are considered fully trained and Bella checked every box. I am so excited. She is my first SD and I did almost all of her training myself with a little bit of help from a trainer at Petco. Bella was born mid July so is still very young but is very mature. I am just so excited. I have her new patches for her vest on order from Etsy. 

I know how important it is to have a Service Dog in my daily life and I congratulate you and Bella on all your efforts in becoming a team and going out into society with a positive and adventurous attitude.

 

I don't like to encourage anyone in buying any Service Dog supplies online, and with that being said I do know that "self-trained" dogs are an important partnership and know that it is necessary to have the proper I.D. and equipment that you need to go forward with Bella, and buying supplies online can be your only choice.  I wish you all the best in your future as a Service Dog team. 

 

I encourage you to keep up Bella's training on a daily basis by challenging her to stay sharp, behave well in public and keep practicing good manners daily.

[springredheadsdd]

Places can not legally ask for ID's for service dogs. I know that some program dogs come with them but restaurants, stores and other places are breaking the law if they ask for ID. There are only 2 questions they can legally ask and those are: 

1. Is this a service dog?

2. What tasks does the service dog preform?

 

If I get asked all I have to say is 1. Yes, 2. psychiatric support. That is it. I can be as vague as I want.

 

They can not:

ask for identification

ask about the persons disability

charge additional fees for the animal

treat the person less favorably in any way

 

I like to carry ada service dog information cards with me. I have not run into any issues with Bella and I have been taking her everywhere with me for a while. 

[wizard-of-roz]

Happy weekend everyone! 

 

My application has been mailed for a Successor Dog.......It's either going to be a very simple process or very complicated because of all of our new circumstances.  We'll see......when I know you'll know!

 

Thank you all for being there for me, through it all!

[Mavis and Me]

On 4/30/2020 at 8:37 AM, springredheadsdd said:

Bella is now a full Service Dog instead of a SDiT!!!

Hooray!!  Congratulations to you and Bella!!  My girl did her Public Access test back in Oct 2017.  You can see it on her YouTube channel Mavis & Me.  I post all sorts of adventures that she and I take on there ... as well as some silly things that I want to share with my family and friends!  It feels so validating to have that acknowledgement that your dog has been 'approved' by someone, doesn't it?  I know that for me, I had this niggling feeling that I wasn't legit because I owner-trained Mavis and I have an invisible disability.  Once I had a third party evaluator 'certify' her, it helped me to feel more 'official'.  Which really is stupid - she makes my life better every single day whether she is official or not!  I can't wait to hear about the exciting adventures that you and Bella go on together!

[kmg365suzyq]

I know how you feel Mavis.  I self-trained Miss Tish and I have PTSD.  Sometimes in my really down times, I worry that she isn't legit.  The worst is when someone looks at her and winks at me oh, yeah, what us a service dog, ha ha.  I know it is because of her size. 

 

Well, we now have 3 cruises scheduled.  One this Nov., 1 next April, and my big 65th birthday cruise next Nov.  It gives me something to look forward to.

[S.S. Cruisers]

21 hours ago, wizard-of-roz said:

Happy weekend everyone! 

 

My application has been mailed for a Successor Dog.......It's either going to be a very simple process or very complicated because of all of our new circumstances.  We'll see......when I know you'll know!

 

Thank you all for being there for me, through it all!

😥 Wow how time flys.  It makes me sad and glad all at once.  I love that tall legged, dark, handsome Horty! I just can't believe that he is that old!  We have been around here a loooooonngg time! ❤️

[wizard-of-roz]

8 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

😥 Wow how time flys.  It makes me sad and glad all at once.  I love that tall legged, dark, handsome Horty! I just can't believe that he is that old!  We have been around here a loooooonngg time! ❤️

I'm so grateful that you have been around a long time.  We've seen and done a lot together.  And, I hope that we can have fun on board another cruise or two again!  

 

Soon your life will take on a whole new priority list.  You all must be getting very excited for the arrival of your first Grandbaby!

 

I pray that Horton lives many, many more healthy and happy years.  He still wants to go with me daily but he just can't do that "jump" into my car and it's really getting harder and harder for me to deal with his ramp.  I will continue to do the best I can as long as Horty is willing to walk out the door with me.

 

Who knows when CCI will be out of the "pause" state.

 

On the application they asked for a picture of Horton and me......I sent them a copy of the picture we all took on one formal night, so I hope you don't mind but you, John and Oakland are in my portfolio for a Successor Dog.

[Mavis and Me]

On 5/1/2020 at 2:56 PM, kmg365suzyq said:

I know it is because of her size. 

Oh for SURE.  The small service dogs totally get picked on (not only by the public, but by other service dog teams too!).  Half of my educational efforts are spent convincing people that a small breed like a Chihuahua can make a fantastic service dog.  Maybe not for mobility or guide work, but they are excellent at medical alert and many tasks related to PTSD!  I hear all the time silly comments like, "Oh, I can tell YOUR dog is a real service dog ... not like those little ankle biters I see in the grocery store!"  It drives me nuts!

[Caribbean Chris]

6 hours ago, Mavis and Me said:

Oh for SURE.  The small service dogs totally get picked on (not only by the public, but by other service dog teams too!).  Half of my educational efforts are spent convincing people that a small breed like a Chihuahua can make a fantastic service dog.  Maybe not for mobility or guide work, but they are excellent at medical alert and many tasks related to PTSD!  I hear all the time silly comments like, "Oh, I can tell YOUR dog is a real service dog ... not like those little ankle biters I see in the grocery store!"  It drives me nuts!

Yes, it really is unfair to the small dogs and so inaccurate. Many Hearing Dogs for Deaf or Hard of Hearing people are quite small. They are just fine at getting your attention with an alert and leading you to the source of the sound, where they sit. My dog just happens to be a big Lab, which I was provided for free, but many of us in the Deaf/HoH world have little dogs rescued from shelters and trained by very longtime, skilled nonprofits like Dogs for Better Lives (formerly known as Dogs for the Deaf).

[Caribbean Chris]

On 5/1/2020 at 4:45 PM, wizard-of-roz said:

Happy weekend everyone! 

 

My application has been mailed for a Successor Dog.......It's either going to be a very simple process or very complicated because of all of our new circumstances.  We'll see......when I know you'll know!

 

Thank you all for being there for me, through it all!

It hope CCI will be able to get back into full swing. Successor dog applications have priority over new requests, right? That’s the way Dogs for Better Lives operates, I think. I hope Mr. Horty will have a happy retirement when the day comes.

 

At 8, Raylene is graying, slowing down just a bit, but still doing her job and still able to get into the back seat of the SUV. (Although she started hesitating so I had to teach her to do it in two steps - floor/seat - instead of trying to jump up from outside onto the seat.)
 

She had a limp a few months ago whenever she got off her bed, and after an exam, with the vet’s approval, I stepped up her supplements. I give her another Cosequin tab now (3 a day), more Nupro powder, another fish oil capsule (3 a day, 1200 mg each). We also started giving her one Turmeric capsule a day. After a couple of weeks, the limp stopped completely, and no digestive issues from the additions.

 

We have a Christmas cruise booked for this December which is a big question mark...and one next spring out of Tampa, both to the Caribbean. But I wonder when we’ll actually cruise again and whether she’ll be able to go. It’s a journey, isn’t it?
 

 

Edited May 3, 2020 by Caribbean Chris

[wizard-of-roz]

9 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

It hope CCI will be able to get back into full swing. Successor dog applications have priority over new requests, right? That’s the way Dogs for Better Lives operates, I think. I hope Mr. Horty will have a happy retirement when the day comes.

 

At 8, Raylene is graying, slowing down just a bit, but still doing her job and still able to get into the back seat of the SUV. (Although she started hesitating so I had to teach her to do it in two steps - floor/seat - instead of trying to jump up from outside onto the seat.)
 

She had a limp a few months ago whenever she got off her bed, and after an exam, with the vet’s approval, I stepped up her supplements. I give her another Cosequin tab now (3 a day), more Nupro powder, another fish oil capsule (3 a day, 1200 mg each). We also started giving her one Turmeric capsule a day. After a couple of weeks, the limp stopped completely, and no digestive issues from the additions.

 

We have a Christmas cruise booked for this December which is a big question mark...and one next spring out of Tampa, both to the Caribbean. But I wonder when we’ll actually cruise again and whether she’ll be able to go. It’s a journey, isn’t it?
 

 

Yes, Successor Dogs go to the top of the waiting list but with the "pause" that they've been forced to take, I'm sure they're re-thinking all of their processes now.  And, although I'm well aware of Horton's age and his need for more rest than normal, I want him to continue to walk and travel with me as long he doesn't appear to be in any pain, for as long as he can.

 

Horton is also on all the supplements that Raylene is.  For an 11 year old he looks so good and does really well.    I tried to get him to go onto the floor first in my car and then step up on the seat, it didn't go well and I didn't want to push it too much, I didn't want to take the risk of making him shy of going into my car at all!  He such a great traveler.

 

I'm so ready to book another cruise but there's nothing much leaving out of L.A. that entices me to spend thousands of dollars.  I'm so curious what changes they will make and still keep our cruising experience special.

 

 

[wizard-of-roz]

10 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Yes, it really is unfair to the small dogs and so inaccurate. Many Hearing Dogs for Deaf or Hard of Hearing people are quite small. They are just fine at getting your attention with an alert and leading you to the source of the sound, where they sit. My dog just happens to be a big Lab, which I was provided for free, but many of us in the Deaf/HoH world have little dogs rescued from shelters and trained by very longtime, skilled nonprofits like Dogs for Better Lives (formerly known as Dogs for the Deaf).

When I first interviewed at CCI in 2000 they had Corgi's as Hearing Dogs and we were given a demonstration of how these little geniuses do their jobs.  It was amazing to watch this little dog push open doors and alert his handler to sounds in his environment.

 

CCI stopped raising and training Corgi's because most men did not want this adorable little dog, they wanted a "big manly looking dog!"  

[Caribbean Chris]

1 hour ago, wizard-of-roz said:

When I first interviewed at CCI in 2000 they had Corgi's as Hearing Dogs and we were given a demonstration of how these little geniuses do their jobs.  It was amazing to watch this little dog push open doors and alert his handler to sounds in his environment.

 

CCI stopped raising and training Corgi's because most men did not want this adorable little dog, they wanted a "big manly looking dog!"  

That’s so interesting about the Corgis! Never heard about that. I Love Corgis.

[wizard-of-roz]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

That’s so interesting about the Corgis! Never heard about that. I Love Corgis.

My daughter has one named "Daisy", she's quite a little character.  She can't do the stairs in her home without rubbing her belly on the edges.   She manages to bounce on each step to keep herself from getting a rash.  She's young, it's going to be interesting to see her do the stairs when she's a little old woman [the dog, not my daughter!] 🤭

[wizard-of-roz]

So much going on: 

 

First:  I've been doing video's of Horton for Re-Certification purposes and will have an "in-person" interview with a Graduate trainer next week via phone.  I've been showing some of what Horton does for me, his ability to be re-called, his body structure and, of course, his trimmed nails.  CCI will then give re-certs for one year, and then we'll see how things open up.

 

There will be a Town Hall Meeting next week via the internet for Graduate Teams to learn what CCI is doing, at this time, and how Breeding, Training, Team Training and Graduations are being handled now and in the future.  My questions about a Successor Dog will be answered then.

 

Second:  I re-booked my cruise to Alaska onboard the Sun Princess for July 3, 2021.  The Sun is an older ship and it's very small.  Not my favorite.  It's going to be very interesting to see how the lines, elevators, lounges, dining rooms and theaters will be dealt with onboard a cruise.

 

It just feels so good to have a cruise booked.

 

Happy weekend everyone.   💕 HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY 💕

 

 

[S.S. Cruisers]

Good mornin all.  Jezzy Lou has been having some rear end problems.  I am taking her to a specialist on Tuesday.  It's an hour from home but would rather take her there than the Vet here every 2 weeks to have her glands expressed.  

I hope everyone has a nice mothers day!  😻💖🌺🐾

[Caribbean Chris]

Happy Mothers Day to Roz and all the other mothers on this thread! 

[wizard-of-roz]

16 hours ago, S.S. Cruisers said:

Good mornin all.  Jezzy Lou has been having some rear end problems.  I am taking her to a specialist on Tuesday.  It's an hour from home but would rather take her there than the Vet here every 2 weeks to have her glands expressed.  

I hope everyone has a nice mothers day!  😻💖🌺🐾

Wishing you well Jezzy Lou.  I'm sending you lots and lots of love and good wishes sweet little girl!

[wizard-of-roz]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Happy Mothers Day to Roz and all the other mothers on this thread! 

Thank you so much Chris.  I hope your day is filled with lots of love! 🌺  

 

My children have been sending me toilet paper, paper towels, noodles, tuna, chocolate chip cookies, tangerines and lotion.  It's been so much fun to open the boxes and see what they sent their dear old Mom.

 

People must be making lots of tuna casseroles these days! 😃

[wizard-of-roz]

On 5/2/2020 at 7:46 PM, wizard-of-roz said:

I'm so grateful that you have been around a long time.  We've seen and done a lot together.  And, I hope that we can have fun on board another cruise or two again!  

 

Soon your life will take on a whole new priority list.  You all must be getting very excited for the arrival of your first Grandbaby!

 

I pray that Horton lives many, many more healthy and happy years.  He still wants to go with me daily but he just can't do that "jump" into my car and it's really getting harder and harder for me to deal with his ramp.  I will continue to do the best I can as long as Horty is willing to walk out the door with me.

 

Who knows when CCI will be out of the "pause" state.

 

On the application they asked for a picture of Horton and me......I sent them a copy of the picture we all took on one formal night, so I hope you don't mind but you, John and Oakland are in my portfolio for a Successor Dog.

Nancy, I sent this to you when I should have sent it to Cindy.........I'm sure you knew what I did.......You're so nice, you never said anything!!!!!

[wizard-of-roz]

Just now, wizard-of-roz said:

Nancy, I sent this to you when I should have sent it to Cindy.........I'm sure you knew what I did.......You're so nice, you never said anything!!!!!

How's Jezzy Lou doing?

[wizard-of-roz]

Cindy, did you see my message to Nancy?  It was meant for you.

 

It's tough getting older and social distancing doesn't help either!!!!!!!  🤪

[wizard-of-roz]

Well, is anybody else booked in 2021 on a cruise?  I bit the bullet and booked my cruise to Alaska on board the Sun Princess, July 3, 2021.

 

I'm hoping that Horty will be able to cruise with me......we'll see how the waiting process goes with CCI.  Horton will be 12 years old on that cruise.

Edited May 11, 2020 by wizard-of-roz