Service Dog

DogOwner101

Are there any programs in Ireland that allow your dog to become a certified trained service dog? Or are service dogs only acquired through organizations i.e Dogs for the disabled?

DBB

The only way a service dog can become certified in Ireland is via a training charity that itself is accredited by the European certifying body, Assistance Dogs Europe: https://assistancedogseurope.org/members/accredited-members/
If I remember correctly, it is only charities that ADE will accredit, not individuals or companies.
In other words, officially it's not really possible for an individual owner to get their own dog properly certified in Ireland. Seems the rules around this are a fair bit softer in the States (I'm not sure it's such a good idea that they're as soft as they are there, it has led to a lot of people taking the mick, thus watering down the importance and special status of "real" service/assistance animals).
Of course, there was quite the scandal here a few years ago when an organisation was set up that sold allegedly certified dogs (none of them were certified. They weren't even trained to any sort of acceptable standard) to vulnerable owners, on the supposition that many places are not going to refuse access to a dog that's wearing an official-looking vest, due to (a) ignorance of the actual certification system, and/or (b) bad publicity.

tk123

What do you need the dog to do OP? You could potentially train any dog to do service dog tasks... but it won't have public access.. which may or may not be a problem.

B-D-P--

haha, a great way to bring your dog anywhere with you, put a high vis on the dog and pretend you need them to help you...

I'm not sayin your doing this OP, but its anb ingenious idea to bring my huskies to work. I am joking of course, it'd never work.

DogOwner101

DBB wrote: »

The only way a service dog can become certified in Ireland is via a training charity that itself is accredited by the European certifying body, Assistance Dogs Europe: https://assistancedogseurope.org/members/accredited-members/
If I remember correctly, it is only charities that ADE will accredit, not individuals or companies.
In other words, officially it's not really possible for an individual owner to get their own dog properly certified in Ireland. Seems the rules around this are a fair bit softer in the States (I'm not sure it's such a good idea that they're as soft as they are there, it has led to a lot of people taking the mick, thus watering down the importance and special status of "real" service/assistance animals).
Of course, there was quite the scandal here a few years ago when an organisation was set up that sold allegedly certified dogs (none of them were certified. They weren't even trained to any sort of acceptable standard) to vulnerable owners, on the supposition that many places are not going to refuse access to a dog that's wearing an official-looking vest, due to (a) ignorance of the actual certification system, and/or (b) bad publicity.

Interesting! Thank you for the response! I often see people (mainly in America/ Canada) sharing how their own pet underwent training to become a service dog, so I was wondering what the requirements here were.

I would rather apply for a service dog. My current dog wouldn't be good service dog material! I've seen a lot of people have been abusing the system of registering their dogs (the scam registries) and it makes me worry for genuine disabled people who do need dogs in public etc..

DogOwner101

tk123 wrote: »

What do you need the dog to do OP? You could potentially train any dog to do service dog tasks... but it won't have public access.. which may or may not be a problem.

I have Cerebral Palsy, I would need a mobility support dog. My current dog is a bit small for that and overly energetic, but I would be interested in training her some tasks in the home for fun!

Choc Chip

DogOwner101 wrote: »

I have Cerebral Palsy, I would need a mobility support dog. My current dog is a bit small for that and overly energetic, but I would be interested in training her some tasks in the home for fun!

It's great fun training your dog to do tasks around the house! I've been training one of mine to fill the washing machine recently. Just need to get her on the vacuuming and I can really sit back and relax.

Best of luck with getting a mobility support dog - I hadn't heard of them before but they look like an incredible help (judging from my quick google ).

em_cat

DogOwner101 wrote: »

I have Cerebral Palsy, I would need a mobility support dog. My current dog is a bit small for that and overly energetic, but I would be interested in training her some tasks in the home for fun!

We have a rescue terrier mix that I have target trained to help with front loading washer dryer. He's pretty spot on with it.

tk123

I did an assistance dog training course and part of our grade was teaching our own dog to do a task - it was great seeing all the dogs doing their different tasks - ours was picking up dropped items which was a huge achievement for my golden retriever robber lol!!
Definitely practice with your own dog OP as the experience in training her will stand to you when you get the assistance dog and you're practicing with it and reinforcing what they know. One of my ambitions is to take a puppy on for dogs for the disabled but we're short on space as it is with 2 big bum retrievers in the house so can't add a third atm