AKC Canine Partners

[Stephanie and Ragley]

As Ragley and I move forward in our journey towards therapy dog certification, I have dug further into our options as far as titles and organizations. Something I have stumbled across is the AKC Therapy Dog Title. This is open to all breeds- pure or mixed- but the dog has to be registered with AKC. For our darling doodles this would be made possible through the AKC Canine Partners registry. AKC Canine Partners also allows mixed breed dogs to compete in select Agility, Rally, and Obedience competitions.

Ragley's CGC test is this coming Thursday and, if I was to register her, it would be nice to be able to have her AKC number to place on her CGC certificate.

Has anyone had experience with this or registered their doodle through this route? Thanks!

Read more about AKC Canine Partners here

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Yup. I mean a true service dog. (: Reason being is because unfortunately, we won't have the time at this point in my life to go work in therapy (even though I think it would be fun). 

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Excellent distinction to make, Ro.

Please excuse my ignorance, but can just anyone have a service dog and use him/her as such? I haven't heard of anyone getting/having a service dog just so that the dog can go everywhere with them (as much as I would love that). 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

No...it must be prescribed by a Dr.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ok, thanks! I just truly didn't know.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

As Ro said, it has to be prescribed by a doctor. I have anxiety, so I can get the okay to have him with me. While I admit that I could get away without him, he would still ease my social anxiety as he is already doing. 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

You will have to double check, but I believe ESCs ( Emotional Support Canines) are NOT considered full Service Dogs. Which means he would not be allowed full access to public places. It does allow a dog to live in housing where animals are not usually allowed.
I did just find this article : http://www.anythingpawsable.com/thats-service-dog-working-dog/#.VIU...

[Kaitee and Orwell]

:( I heard that too, but I thought it was just my university. 

Oh well...

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Excellent article. It further validates service dogs, but highlights the merits of the "not a service dog" dogs at the same time. I believe Ro is correct, however. The Service Dog representative commented below the article in response to someone's questions:

"§ 35.104 Definitions. Service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability . . . The effects of an animal’s presence and the provision of emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship do not constitute work or tasks for the purposes of this definition.

Service Animals are animals which are specially trained to perform tasks or work that a disabled person can not complete on their own. Having a disability isn’t enough — your dog must be trained in specific tasks (our guidelines state you must have at least two tasks) that you would otherwise have difficulty completing on your own. Under the law it’s permissible for people to ask you what tasks your dog performs, so you should be prepared to explain."

I obviously do not know your full situation, Kaitee, nor should you feel the need to fully divulge, but this is just something to think about as you create a vision in your head of what you can expect Orwell to become :)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

As with anything, people are always trying to beat the system....which makes it difficult for those who truely need the services of a well trained dog. As noted in the article, a ESC dog needs no special training.
About 2 years ago, my daughter was in a Costco finishing up training on a Service Dog. Just happened to be a very large German Shepherd. My daughter was in a wheelchair, having the dog remove a article from the backpack on the chair. She said she had seen a man with a Dashund, wearing a Service Dog jacket in the store. The dog was on a retractable and all over the place, obviously a " fake". The man came down the same aisle as Chris, which, in Chris' mind, was a great training aid and added distraction for the Service Dog. Good news...bad news... The dog attacked the Shepherd! Good news is the Shepherd held steady and did not even flinch at the yapping Dashund. The man said the dog wanted to "play" and had not a clue to Service Dog etiquette. He was escorted out of the store and told not to return with the dog.
Recently a woman with a EMotional Support Pig was asked to leave a plane just before departure ( ESA are permitted to fly), because the pig started acting up and causing trouble. Even tried to bite the flight attendant!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I'm just wondering... what tasks could a dachshund complete in the first place? 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

According to Chris, she wasn't even sure if the dog knew the command "sit".  We're guessing either the man just purchased the jacket somewhere or, the dog could have been a ESC for the gentleman.  Either way, the dog should have never been allowed into the store.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Wow.