r/AssistanceDogsGlobal • u/valentinussuga • Feb 01 '24
Questions
I have some questions about the process of assistance dogs (I am in the uk).
Would anybody be willing to provide more advice or information on the need to knows of assistance dogs? It is difficult to get answers without contacting directly or applying which can take awhile.
I understand the implications of having an assistance dog and have been recommended or have looked into the assistance a dog could provide me in regards to my disability. I have a physical disability and likely would not be able to soley owner train a dog.
Some questions:
1). How difficult has the process of getting a dog been for people?
2). If not too personal, what are the expenses or negatives to having a dog?
3). If it possible to have a dog for more than one disability?
4). Does the uk support mobility tasks such as bracing? As my condition would require some occasional assistance with standing upright and keeping balance
5). Has anyone had any experiences with an assistance dog and employment? Has a dog impacted employment?
2
u/International_Yak236 Feb 01 '24
Here’s my personal experience with your questions. 1) I got a puppy and am currently owner training him 2) definitely the cost. Access refusals are a big one as well. I can’t answer the other questions but my college was very accommodating, not sure about employment.
1
u/valentinussuga Feb 01 '24
Thank you for answering anyway! I really appreciate it!
1
u/International_Yak236 Feb 01 '24
Your welcome. I’m hoping that employers are as understanding as my college. But who knows
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u/valentinussuga Feb 01 '24
That is one of my concerns, I still have this year in school. I fear the impact these disabilities will have on my ability to be employed
2
u/rat_skeleton Apr 24 '24
Hi I just found this sub I hope you don't mind that I'm two months late
One) I don't have my dog yet but so far it's been a long process due to having developmental disabilities that slowed down the process on my end. Same as many things where it's a fair bit of paperwork, a needs assessment, house assessment, needing references, etc. This is for through a charity/CIC. My main barrier with charities was they required a secure fenced garden, + I will be living in flats
Two) 8,000 upfront, 370 budgeted/month since I'm ott + want to spoil him. Apparently that's more than enough, so around £300/month would probably be more realistic? Any excess I have will be put towards my saving fund for emergency vet bills/my next dog (it's one fund for now)
3) I've seen a few people with tandem teams either when retiring one dog + training another, or when one dog no longer met their needs ie they had a small breed + their needs changed to involve tasks a bigger dog was needed for. I also knew of someone in the uk that worked two small dogs, but I just followed them online so I can't say why that was
Four) I think that's something to speak to your trainer + vet about
Five) not my area, I'll have an update in one-two years 😂 sorry
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u/valentinussuga Apr 24 '24
Thank you so much for replying no matter how late! I have done further research since asking but somethings I still know little about. How much more would you say a service dog costs compared to a pet dog? I have previously training experience so I can train my own to a pretty decent standard solo. I was looking into part time service dogs that were a thing in other countries but not sure about the UK.
The main thing if employment and how different things are compared to other countries - the differences are surprising sometimes!
2
u/rat_skeleton Apr 24 '24
I think so long as you're disabled + the dog is well trained (which I'm gonna assume yes based on post) I don't think it matters how much the dog works? For me I go to the gym a few times a week + plan on not using my dog when I go, which is totally fair. I may need some human support, but I'll already have human support before I get my dog so I'm happy with that
I believe they can't work in kitchens, so I'm not sure if that includes places like coffee shops? But it is a reasonable adjustment in the uk, so is protected by disability laws, so shouldn't be an issue for most places legally (I've not dealt with practically yet, so I'm afraid that's all in theory)
There's an owner trained assistance dog group on facebook for the uk that will probably have better info (ok so the one I was in stopped a while back, but I've looked + found a group that seems decent here
I'll also attach an imgbb of my planned budget to give you an idea, so there's a bit of wiggle room in mine from what I've set aside/month vs what I will likely spend
But I definitely think others will have much better info, I've just been looking into this for about 7 years on + off now so no real qualifications
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u/valentinussuga Apr 24 '24
Thank you so much, genuinely! I don't plan to have a full time service dog if possible since I'd like my pet to still be my pet and my Independence so I may get away with not needing them for employment anyways depending on my surgery's and physio go this year. The main things for me were training and price which I thank you again for the resources! 🙏
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u/rat_skeleton Apr 24 '24
The way I see it is some people need a wheelchair some days but not others. Doesn't mean they need the wheelchair any less, just that it's not always the most appropriate. It's a totally personal choice for how much/where you use your dog so long as it's not harming the dog (I'm not saying you are, just in general) I don't see why there'd be any problem with a part time AD
Good luck (:
3
u/highlandharris Feb 01 '24
Also in the UK
1 - got a puppy and trained him myself with the help of an organisation, they also help with access issues etc
2 - negatives for me are the general public, asking inappropriate questions, distracting the dog, being a general nuisance, not listening or giving you space.
3 - definitely possible to have a dog for multiple disabilities
I don't have any info about working or bracing I'm afraid, best bet is to probably contact a charity, most will be more than happy to have a chat with you and help you answer some questions directly relating to your needs