Young Cancer Patient Loses Service Dog

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Today I read an article about a nine year old child battling brain cancer in NJ.  She had a german shepherd trained as a service dog that was with her to help stabilize her during periods of dizziness and weakness.  In March, the service dog bit the six year old girl next door in the face requiring 100 stitches.  Below I posted the article regarding the incident and one detailing the fate of the service dog now.

http://www.examiner.com/pet-rescue-in-national/service-dog-s-fate-t...

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/04/27/young-brain-cancer-patient-i...

 

This situation is heartbreaking and I can understand and sympathize with both families.  What do you think?  Was this a poorly trained service dog that should not have been given to such a young handler?  What should happen to a dog like this?

[Carol Brand]

It seems like anyone these days can hang out a shingle and claim to either train or breed service dogs.  I think there should be more oversight of this industry.  In many cases these organizations get donated puppies and then turn around and charge unsuspecting families more than $10,000 for a dog that may or may not be suitable for the job. 

 

I was approached by two women in the Denver area about donating a puppy to their service dog organization that was going to train dogs for Autistic children.  When I looked into their credentials, I found that they had no background in dog training and no background in working with Special Needs children.  One had been a groomer and the other had worked as kennel help in a commercial boarding facility.  I declined their request to donate a dog.  I shudder to think that some family might actually pay them for their services.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think that the dog being rehomed was a reasonable option. I agree with everyone that there was something odd about the story. The discord between the two family's accounts made it apparent that there was something missing.

 

I find it odd that the owners said the dog went to lick the girl's face and the dog's pinch collar "made" the dog's jaw snap shut. Really? And the dog's jaw closing caused 100 stitch damage?  That doesn't seem right at all to me. Damage like seems much more likely to have been caused by a bite. I don't appreciate people thinking the bitten girl's family is bratty or rude because the dog that bit her is a service dog. Bottom line, if the dog bit her it is dangerous. I don't care if it's a service dog. Obviously it wasn't well trained, and I also agree with everyone that "service dog" is a very wide statement and could be from any organization, with or without credentials.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

The whole thing is a shame. I am just happy that the dog wasn't put down, but I'm sure he's feeling the loss also. Whatever provoked it could happen anywhere to anyone so it is a real sad story.

[Lorraine Bromley]

The service dog training that I am aware of in Canada does not wait until the dog is a certain age. They breed for their services and start training immediately.