Well, it’s that time of year, again. The one with the long list of people to find gifts for. Whatever holiday you celebrate, chances are good you’re buying presents come winter.
It can be hard to think of what to get someone for the holidays. This can be especially if they’re a cousin some number of times removed. That has a service dog. That you have to constantly tell yourself not to pet, because they’re working. So you don’t know the cousin, because the closer you get to those eyes and that grinning face, the more you want to pet it.
Or you’re on the opposite side of the spectrum. Dogs kinda gross you out, but how can you tell that to someone whose medical equipment is a dog? So you tend to keep your distance.
Or, you have no idea what to get this person in general, but they have a dog, and that’s kinda interesting. Maybe something around that would be cool? The answer, most of the time, is yes. We’ll be incredibly thankful if you get us something helpful for the dog. And I do mean incredibly. A lot of the good dog stuff is rather expensive, so we appreciate any help we can get. And the fact that someone went out of the way to get some of the good things as gifts? Dude, that’s a huge win.
So what are some of the good things? Here’s a list to start you off.
A Washable Dog Bed That Won’t Start Smelling Like Dog
I can’t speak to the service dog handler in your life. If they’re anything like me, though, the majority of floor space in their room (or house) is taken up by various dog beds. Because heaven forbid the service dog has to sleep on the floor. What are they, an animal?
I have one of the fluffy, furry, rather expensive ones, and a couple of blankets spread around for Cor. These… they can start to smell like dog. The nice thing with the blankets is that you’re able to throw them in the washer to get rid of the smell. The furry one… yeah, it’s washable, but it’s big. It’s a packed load all on its own. And then you have to set it in the sun to dry for at least a couple of days to make sure you get it completely dry.
My favorite dog bed for Cor is this one. When I made the first bed, I really wasn’t expecting him to like it this much, and I wasn’t expecting to like it as much as I do. I figured it’d use up some old sheets and pillows, but Y’ALL. This thing is INSANE. Apparently comfortable, this is the only bed (including mine) Cor will spend a full night on. It’s also durable and machine-washable.
It’s two crocheted sides with pillows between them. Two small-ish pillows, so it can fold up for transportation. Unlace the sides, throw all the pieces in the wash, and then in the dryer, and it’s done. (I still like to leave it out in the sun for a few hours or throw it through the dryer more than once to make sure it’s fully dry. When you’ve had to abandon a house infested with black mold, you become a bit paranoid about things like that.)
When I tell you I like this bed, I mean it’s the one that can go the longest without smelling like a dog AT ALL. Also didn’t expect that.
This dog bed serves as giving two gifts in one. You’ll be able to give your service dog handler the bed, and all proceeds get donated to support a service dog team. (Not mine–like, actually donated. lol) Bonus: The pillows and sheets are both recycled! Use the code DOULA for 10% off!
Six Feet to Independence
…I may be a bit biased on this suggestion, too, given that I wrote it–full disclosure.
When I was starting on my service dog journey, I had NO IDEA the amount of iceberg under the surface I didn’t see or expect. It hit me like a Mack truck. Picture jumping into a pool you think is four feet deep. You realize, three seconds down, that you underestimated the depth. The pool you jumped into? A twelve-foot-deep diving well.
This is the book I wish I’d found before I started. The information I tried to find before I started, and wasn’t able to.
Guess what? The internet does end, and it ends with the questions ‘what should I expect to change in my life when I get a service dog?’ and ‘how do I find the right people to work with on my service dog journey?’
This gift works two ways. You can give the service dog handler in your life the book for them to read and enjoy. (Sometimes it’s therapeutic to see others’ dogs aren’t any more perfect than yours is. Sometimes it’s therapeutic to see areas they struggle with. Ask anyone trying to raise a dependent. “We all fail; this is normal”? Strangely comforting).
Another option when it comes to giving this gift is to buy a few copies of this book for people that aren’t the handler. Help family members and friends understand what the handler’s going through. This will take the stress of doing so off the handler’s shoulders. And less stress something we’re all grateful for around the holidays. (In this case, you can check off a few of the gifts on your list!)
You could also sign them up to get a free ebook copy–handy and accessible for them, and less of a cost for you!
Treats. Like, the Bougie Ones
These treats can get expensive. The hard thing about it is that just about every handler needs treats. The treats alone can nearly wipe out your budget. So if you want to make your handler relation ecstatic without blowing too much money? Treats as gifts is a very good way to do that.
Granted, it’ll still be more than you think it’ll be, but chances are it won’t blow your budget because you’re not buying them regularly.
If you want to find out what separates bougie treats from ones that are good or okay, I have an article on that here. Be sure to check with the handler you’re buying for (or one of their family members) that their dog doesn’t have allergies or health conditions. Some do and that can make getting food or treats trickier.
High-quality Equipment
If you have a service or show dog, you’re using a leash and collar a lot. And there are some leashes and collars that you can use some times that you can’t use others. (I found that out at my first dog show–not a pretty sight, let me tell you.)
If you are looking to get a gift for a service dog handler, chances are they’ve also had their eyes on some equipment. This may be a vest or some patches for their canine sidekick. These can often be luxury items for dog handlers. They’re things we may not have the money for, no matter how much we want it. Sort of like a second formal outfit–it may look really nice, but you already have one at home, and that price tag… yikes.
Is this the gift you’re looking to get for the dog handler in your life? If so, this’ll be something you want to ask them what they’ve had their eye on. You may not see a difference in collars, leashes, vests, or patches, but that doesn’t mean they won’t. And some dog handlers like to have all their gear a matching or coordinating color or theme.
Don’t want to ask them what they’re looking for? Ask one of their family members or service dog handler friends. We tend to geek out over the gear we love to those who know what we’re talking about. 🙂
Gift Cards
This is a pretty good stand-by. Especially if the gift card is to some bougie pet boutique. Don’t let yourself be limited by PetSmart or Petco, either. Check out places like Raw Rations and Hollywood Feed. Do a quick search to find specialty pet stores and pet boutiques in your area.
Dog Toys
Speaking of another ‘luxury item’…
I don’t know any dog handler that would turn down some more toys or games. If the service dog is a tough chewer, the toys will be even more expensive than they normally are. If the dog isn’t a tough chewer, they may still be a seam ripper like Cor. Little hint, here? NO toy is indestructible, no matter what the tag says.
One of the reasons service dogs are able to be service dogs is that they’re smart–insanely smart. For this reason, brain games would be a good addition to your list.
It can be difficult to come up with gifts for all the people on your list. For someone with a service dog–or even a pet dog–these are sure to be wins, though, and make you the favorite cousin. Plus, they’ll save you enough time to find gifts for the others on your list.
