[nagdu] My short answer lol Was differences between service dogsand pets

[Applebutter Hill]

Dailyah,
Well stated. I feel bad for those overlooked pets who would really like to
participate more in their familes' lives.
Donna


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dailyah via nagdu
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 8:53 PM
To: Julie J.; NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] My short answer lol Was differences between service dogsand
pets

A service dog needs to be considered a furry, lovable, piece of durable
medical equipment.  Unlike a walker, this medical equipment has a
personality and so will have specific needs in order for the team to
continue working well enough to meet handler expectations. How those needs -
and the subsequent requirements of the handler - differ from those of
someone who cares for and lives with a pet seem like they entirely depend on
what that same person would expect of a pet!
Personally, I'll confess that I don't actually like "pets".  If I'm going to
care for it and everything, that animal needs to DO something.  This means
that I have a working cat.  He still does work with clients now and then and
regularly for me at home.  He's not allowed in the general public with me
now, but knowing myself I worked hard to find a candidate I could socialize
and train.  I DO now let others give him treats and let him have visits at
other houses, but historically I've held him to the same standards as my
dog(s).  (Which, incidentally, are similar to what I expect of people at my
home once they've reached a certain age!!!)  We wait to eat. No scratching,
biting, etc. Loose leash walking. Come when called.  Let me mess with teeth,
ears, paws. Don't eat off the floor.  All that stuff - which includes
practicing and performing the disability-related tasks when called upon.
Yes, it's work!  As we all know, though, the amount of work we put in the
keep them behaving well and doing their jobs is more than made up for by how
how much care they take of us.  I don't think it's a "pet"/"service animal"
question.  It's one of expectations...and hopefully people have both
reasonable and high expectations for their dogs.  The problem I see is Joe
Public not giving the family dog enough credit and so NOT giving the dog a
job and holding them responsible!  Dogs need - and want - jobs!  (Some cats,
too!) Dailyah with Riley the dog and Pogo-kitty



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