"Where do I start?"
Making a choice to get a service dog is one thing. Figuring out where to start is another. It can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start or what questions to ask, first. I can help answer that question.
What I can do for you
Ease of Reference
When you don’t have time to read — or reread — the book, it can be a relief to have a single sheet to refer back to — whether it’s a printed piece of paper, or an electronic document.
It Feels Like I‘m Alone in This; I Can’t Take it
Feeling like you’re trying to break a path on your own only makes a hard journey harder.
There’s a simple help in sitting down with someone who has been where you are and can commiserate. Let’s schedule a video call and reinvigorate you on this path. Take the energy bar that’ll help you get to the next campsite on this journey.
The path can feel long, but distances become shorter when you’re travelling with others.
I Just Have Questions About Service Dogs in General
There are so many people out there that just have questions about service dogs. When you don’t know someone with a service dog, where do you go to get those questions answered? Right here!
Sign up for a fifteen minute video call with a service dog handler that is willing to answer all the questions you might have.
Direction
There are several big decisions a service dog handler has to make even before they start training the dog. Most don’t know how to best make these decisions — I know I didn’t.
Find out some red and green flags for trainers, systems, and what kind of assistance dog you need.
Road Map
With every adventure, there are twists, turns, and obstacles. What if you knew several of those ahead of time?
Six Feet to Independence talks about six key areas most first-time service dog handlers don’t think about until they’ve started that could go on to cause problems.
Furthermore…
My service dog and I (pictured) really sort of struggled on our journey through this. Not the least reason being that he was my third try — I had had my heart broken so many times before that I was hesitant to let him into my heart.
I’ve been there before. I know the emotional turmoil this adventure can cause. It’s not easy. Having someone who has gone through it with you walking beside you throughout the journey makes it more manageable.
I’m here for you — I understand that this is hard, and I’m willing to work on your mindset and heart stance with you in that hard. Because without those two things, you’re fighting an uphill battle.
You should know…
More service dogs in training wash than people think.
Most of the time, if a first-time service dog handler is owner-training, the first dog will wash.
Also…
I assumed, when I started my service dog journey, that the dog I was going to get was going to somehow be special — not just a dog, but somehow behaviorally set apart as a service dog.
That is not what I got. What I got, was what I intended to get — the dog before training. Not a service dog. Not yet, anyway.
What this means is that you’re going to be dealing with a puppy’s behaviors and quirks and training on top of what you commonly deal with, so as to need a service dog.
This can very easily become frustrating and overwhelming.