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by SweetCountryDreamin on 20 December 2013 - 20:12
I agree with GSDNewbie. My Service Animal was also purchased OUT OF POCKET, I didn't ask for handouts. A good service animal isn't free, it's priceless!
Mine doubles as my medical alert (blood pressure) and PTSD service animal, and it would be utter hell without her. I didn't go through an organization but rather am doing private work with an individual and am very happy with the results. just because someone doesn't go about it in a way you expect does NOT make it scam.
I informed my girl's breeder why I needed her, and he matched me with her perfectly. He was crucial in this and not once did I ever think to ask him for a discount or freebee. We aren't ALL like that.
Mine doubles as my medical alert (blood pressure) and PTSD service animal, and it would be utter hell without her. I didn't go through an organization but rather am doing private work with an individual and am very happy with the results. just because someone doesn't go about it in a way you expect does NOT make it scam.
I informed my girl's breeder why I needed her, and he matched me with her perfectly. He was crucial in this and not once did I ever think to ask him for a discount or freebee. We aren't ALL like that.
by starrchar on 20 December 2013 - 23:12
My sister is deaf and we originally tried going through an organization (Canine Companions for Independence) and it was a very trying process, not to mention my sister had to wait for three and they sure dont make it easy for the applicant. That is when I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I was involved in training my GSD at a Schutzhund club at the time and lucked out meeting soneone who could help me. A very kind and generous trainer who had experience training service dogs selected a lab mix for my sister from the local humane society and taught me how to train her. It took 6 months of intensive training. She was awesome and after being with my sister for 8 years, she died suddenly from an aneurysm in 2003. My mom and I bought her next dog and I trained her.
People with special needs and disabilities face many obstacles and many times they need an advocate. My sister sure did. She never couldve done it on her own. It is a shame that the few imposters ruin it for those truly in need.
People with special needs and disabilities face many obstacles and many times they need an advocate. My sister sure did. She never couldve done it on her own. It is a shame that the few imposters ruin it for those truly in need.
by Jenni78 on 21 December 2013 - 00:12
I've also had a lot of people with all sorts of rare ailments telling me if I was reputable, I'd give them a puppy for free. How dare I want money for a service dog! They all seem to be able to train them all by themselves, too, though they can't seem to spell "Shepard" correctly. LOL
As far as color, if anyone told me they wanted a cheap or free service dog and then bitched about color...they'd get a door slammed in their faces. Dead giveaway that someone's a fraud.
I recently had a wonderful family needing an REAL service & PP dog for a child and lo and behold...people who really need the dog to do something understand what they're asking and understand that these animals don't come cheap! They're providing a valuable (priceless, really, esp. when it's your child!!!) service and they expect to pay for it. Now, I did give them a substantial discount on this young male in exchange for breeding rights, but what really impressed me was that the father said he was a little short on my asking price and would I hold the dog a little longer until he could come up with the difference? Now THAT is a serious buyer who appreciates an animal who can do what he's asking, not a bargain-hunter trying to guilt someone out of a dog. Most people would've asked me to take less. The fact that he didn't is what made me offer 1/3 off the price and breeding rights.
As far as color, if anyone told me they wanted a cheap or free service dog and then bitched about color...they'd get a door slammed in their faces. Dead giveaway that someone's a fraud.
I recently had a wonderful family needing an REAL service & PP dog for a child and lo and behold...people who really need the dog to do something understand what they're asking and understand that these animals don't come cheap! They're providing a valuable (priceless, really, esp. when it's your child!!!) service and they expect to pay for it. Now, I did give them a substantial discount on this young male in exchange for breeding rights, but what really impressed me was that the father said he was a little short on my asking price and would I hold the dog a little longer until he could come up with the difference? Now THAT is a serious buyer who appreciates an animal who can do what he's asking, not a bargain-hunter trying to guilt someone out of a dog. Most people would've asked me to take less. The fact that he didn't is what made me offer 1/3 off the price and breeding rights.
by SitasMom on 21 December 2013 - 00:12
I'm not judging anyone.
by hexe on 21 December 2013 - 00:12
For heaven's sake. people, take an f'in chill-pill, would ya? marjorie's bona fides are far better documented than most of the people who are bitching about her post. For the clueless among you, marjorie does a LOT of networking for rescue dogs, arranging for transports and putting a fair amount of her own money out for it at times--and there's not a damn thing wrong with her letting folks here know that she has a placement for a rescue that might be a good service dog candidate. There's also not a damn thing wrong with anyone preferring to see if they can provide a forever home for an adult rescue dog that can be trained as their service dog, rather than seeking out a dog from a breeder. The number of dogs which clearly have good, solid breeding behind them [from both show and working lines] that end up being dumped in shelters or posted on craig's list 'free to good home' because they're too 'busy' for the type of owner who was really seeking a Golden Retriever wearing a GSD costume is a crying shame, and if one of those dogs can find a job to do where his or her work ethic is viewed as desirable, we should be encouraging it, not slamming someone for being open to it.
Oh, and BTW, there ISN'T any official certification for service or assistance dogs--anyone can buy a vest or a harness or some patches from one of the gazillion pet supply places that carry them, slap it on their dog and call it a service dog. Most people with service or assistance dogs either train their dogs completely on their own, or enlist the help of a private trainer. The number of organizations that do such training are few and far between. Just because someone contacts a breeder and indicates that they are seeking a dog to train up as an assistance or service dog doesn't automatically mean they're looking for a discount or a free dog--they're telling the breeder what they need in a dog, in hopes that if the breeder doesn't have any dogs that would be good candidates for the work they'll be honest enough to tell the potential buyer. And if some of them are asking for a discounted price, so what? A lot of the folks who need a service dog are on a fixed disability income, so the amount of funds they have available to purchase one can be quite limited, and health insurance typically doesn't cover such a 'service aid'. Just because someone asks doesn't mean the breeder has to grant that request. While admittedly, I'm not a breeder, if I were I would honestly prefer to see a dog I bred go to a forever home as a service dog than to someone who is seeking a show, breeding or sport prospect, and then see that dog change hands repeatedly because it doesn't place high enough, or they've produced enough litters for that kennel, or the dog doesn't get them to the podium....
Oh, and BTW, there ISN'T any official certification for service or assistance dogs--anyone can buy a vest or a harness or some patches from one of the gazillion pet supply places that carry them, slap it on their dog and call it a service dog. Most people with service or assistance dogs either train their dogs completely on their own, or enlist the help of a private trainer. The number of organizations that do such training are few and far between. Just because someone contacts a breeder and indicates that they are seeking a dog to train up as an assistance or service dog doesn't automatically mean they're looking for a discount or a free dog--they're telling the breeder what they need in a dog, in hopes that if the breeder doesn't have any dogs that would be good candidates for the work they'll be honest enough to tell the potential buyer. And if some of them are asking for a discounted price, so what? A lot of the folks who need a service dog are on a fixed disability income, so the amount of funds they have available to purchase one can be quite limited, and health insurance typically doesn't cover such a 'service aid'. Just because someone asks doesn't mean the breeder has to grant that request. While admittedly, I'm not a breeder, if I were I would honestly prefer to see a dog I bred go to a forever home as a service dog than to someone who is seeking a show, breeding or sport prospect, and then see that dog change hands repeatedly because it doesn't place high enough, or they've produced enough litters for that kennel, or the dog doesn't get them to the podium....
by kitkat3478 on 21 December 2013 - 01:12
Exactly hexe, I mean c'mon here. This is marjorie here...
I HIGHLY doubt that she is trying to get a pet foor free!
Have you any idea how much money Marjorie has taken out of her own pocket to rescue dogs?
She is more than likely looking for a dog someone wants to rehome that she can know the back ground and the history of the dog.
She probably needs someone dependable .
I would give Marjorie a puppy anyday she is ready for one....FREE of Charge...
She is a real trooper for the breed.
I don't get rid of my older dogs,ever, for nothing.
So many dogs geet thrown away eveery day. I would rather see someone post "looking for", and "need to rehome" prior to dogs getting dumped in rescues and the dog pound!
I HIGHLY doubt that she is trying to get a pet foor free!
Have you any idea how much money Marjorie has taken out of her own pocket to rescue dogs?
She is more than likely looking for a dog someone wants to rehome that she can know the back ground and the history of the dog.
She probably needs someone dependable .
I would give Marjorie a puppy anyday she is ready for one....FREE of Charge...
She is a real trooper for the breed.
I don't get rid of my older dogs,ever, for nothing.
So many dogs geet thrown away eveery day. I would rather see someone post "looking for", and "need to rehome" prior to dogs getting dumped in rescues and the dog pound!
by hexe on 21 December 2013 - 01:12
Oh, and as far as marjorie's friend not wanting a sable or a white, so what? Where is it written that just because someone needs a service dog, they aren't allowed to have preferences regarding the dog's coat color? It's not like bi-colors or black & tans/reds are some rare entity among dogs in rescue channels.
by SitasMom on 21 December 2013 - 03:12
im not sure who was bitching about the post, it wasn't me.
paws for people, freedom service dogs, paws and stripes, service dogs of florida...........are just a few.
paws for people, freedom service dogs, paws and stripes, service dogs of florida...........are just a few.
by hexe on 21 December 2013 - 04:12
Just to be clear, "Paws for People" is a group that trains therapy dogs, not service or assistance dogs. Big difference between the two. And "Paws and Stripes" provides service dogs only to wounded veterans, not civilians. [Not throwing shade at either group--both do good, albeit different kinds of, work.] A friend of mine is one of the founders of Service Dogs 4 Servicemen, which works with retired racing greyhounds and places them at no charge with service men and women--so yes, I am familiar with the fact that there are groups that train service dogs, but many of them are dedicated to providing dogs to veterans, others works exclusively with dogs from their own breeding program, still others require the person needing the service dog to pay a fee that's beyond the budget of many of those who live on disability payments...
So it's not unreasonable for someone to seek out their own service dog candidate, either directly from a breeder, or through networking with breed rescues and friends who are involved in the world of dogs. That was my point.
So it's not unreasonable for someone to seek out their own service dog candidate, either directly from a breeder, or through networking with breed rescues and friends who are involved in the world of dogs. That was my point.
by starrchar on 21 December 2013 - 09:12
Great posts Hexe and Kitkat.
Many of the people needing a service dog face multiple challenges in life, so the kindness and generosity from others is usually greatly appreciated and if a person does not ask for help it is likely they will never get it. I do know of breeders who donate a pup every so often to be trained as a service dog and I applaud them. I do understand that it would be foolish to just give anyone a pup who claims they need a service dog and surely there are imposters and deceitful people out there. A very thorough screening would be essential.
Marjorie, I sure do hope you are able to find the right dog for your friend. You are a good friend! I'm so sorry about what you and Casey James have been through, but glad to hear he is on the mend.
Many of the people needing a service dog face multiple challenges in life, so the kindness and generosity from others is usually greatly appreciated and if a person does not ask for help it is likely they will never get it. I do know of breeders who donate a pup every so often to be trained as a service dog and I applaud them. I do understand that it would be foolish to just give anyone a pup who claims they need a service dog and surely there are imposters and deceitful people out there. A very thorough screening would be essential.
Marjorie, I sure do hope you are able to find the right dog for your friend. You are a good friend! I'm so sorry about what you and Casey James have been through, but glad to hear he is on the mend.
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