Animal Welfare Professionals

Hi Everyone, 

My 12 year old niece, who uses a wheelchair full-time, is starting her search for a service dog.  In their search, they are running into all sorts of road blocks, including finding a place that will give a child a dog (under 18) and the cost. The dog would be with her at home and in school. They are located in New Jersey. If you have any recommendations for places that help kids and places them with a dog, please share them.

Much appreciated

Jen

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Jennifer Evans
CARE
Baltimore MD
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Since children are not capable of signing contracts (strangers would take advantage of that), have her parents or you adopt the dog for her. 

As far as cost, I would do a fundraiser on social media.  I would donate if you put a link here. 

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Frances Alford
Director
Big Bend TNR Cat Rescue
Tallahassee FL
8507569776
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Hi Jen . . . what kind of tasks would your niece like to have help with? Feel free to take this to email. :)

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Julie Levy, DVM
Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida
Maddie's Million Pet Challenge
https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu
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Hi Dr. Levy. Main things are to pick up dropped items, retrieve items that are out of reach, open cabinets, carry light weight things and companionship.

Feel free to email me if you have any suggestions. Thanks for writing!

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Jennifer Evans
CARE
Baltimore MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2023 06:54 AM
From: Julie Levy
Subject: Service Dog for Children

Hi Jen . . . what kind of tasks would your niece like to have help with? Feel free to take this to email. :)

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Julie Levy, DVM
Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida
Maddie's Million Pet Challenge
https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu
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We had a local child (teen) who was in need of a diabetes assistance dog. The family was trying to do fundraisers to raise the money. Our shelter found out about it. We do have a small fund (about $2000) for helping people with personal animals in cases of emergency. I believe the family needed to raise about $8,000 to complete payment on the dog. We posted his story as a fundraiser on our Facebook page and within 4 hours, we had raised the $8,000. We contributed a bit of our PET (Providing Emergency TLC) fund. We may have lost a bit of money that would have normally gone to our shelter, but the PR for our effort was a great thing too. And we helped a child in need with a dog that he truly loves and depends on. Maybe a local rescue or shelter would help spread the word about her need or help you set up a fundraiser with their supporters?

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Cameo Skager
Communications/Development Director
Central Dakota Humane Society
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I'm not sure how far away this non-profit group in Ohio works with families, but check out this: W.A.G.S. 4 Kids (wags4kids.org)

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Donna Miller
Happy Stripes, cat rescue in Ohio
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Is she only looking for a pre-trained dog? I'm wondering if there might be any dog trainers in her area with experience training service dogs. It might be less expensive to hire an experienced trainer to work with her to find a dog with a suitable personality and help her family do the training themselves under the trainer's guidance. (Or at least be spreading the expense out, instead of all at once!) Of course, that also means that they will have a longer period of owning a dog who is not fully ready for public-facing service work, and I don't know if that is a deal-breaker for them.

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Emme Hones
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I believe they are open to any option.

They already had their dog evaluated it and looks like he doesn't have the right temperament per this trainer. They have been looking for years but surgeries and other expenses come up that can cause a pause in the progress.  The parents are also purposely involving my niece in the search so it's an all family effort. I think finding the best fit is the priority, not so much timing. 

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Jennifer Evans
CARE
Baltimore MD
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-18-2023 01:01 PM
From: Emme Hones
Subject: Service Dog for Children

Is she only looking for a pre-trained dog? I'm wondering if there might be any dog trainers in her area with experience training service dogs. It might be less expensive to hire an experienced trainer to work with her to find a dog with a suitable personality and help her family do the training themselves under the trainer's guidance. (Or at least be spreading the expense out, instead of all at once!) Of course, that also means that they will have a longer period of owning a dog who is not fully ready for public-facing service work, and I don't know if that is a deal-breaker for them.

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Emme Hones
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Hi Jennifer,

Try contacting Canine Companions, they have a great program and all of the service dogs are provided for free !  They probably have a long waiting list but they may be able to give you a list of other organizations that may help and/or resources.   To learn more about them they have many great videos on their website.     https://canine.org/

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Michele Maitland
none
Austin TX
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I love Canine Companions.  I second this.

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Laura McKelvey
Shelter Manager
PAWS Atlanta
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-21-2023 09:34 AM
From: Michele Maitland
Subject: Service Dog for Children

Hi Jennifer,

Try contacting Canine Companions, they have a great program and all of the service dogs are provided for free !  They probably have a long waiting list but they may be able to give you a list of other organizations that may help and/or resources.   To learn more about them they have many great videos on their website.     https://canine.org/

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Michele Maitland
none
Austin TX
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This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

I recommend checking out the following organization in Xenia, Ohio - 4pawsforability.org - they have 11 different types of service dogs that they place. Best of luck to you and your niece, I hope she's able to find the assistance she needs.