Meet Sandy Sandberg and Her Service Dog from Doggie Do Good: Dog Mom News LIVE! – EP. 4
Introduction
Welcome to Dog Mom News LIVE! In this episode, we are excited to introduce you to Sandy Sandberg and her service dog from Doggie Do Good. Sandy is a content writer very proficient in SEO writing, and today she’s going to share her journey of living with a service dog.
Who is Sandy Sandberg
Sandy is a content writer who has been in the writing industry for over ten years. She specializes in SEO writing and has helped businesses rank high on search engines. Sandy has always been a dog lover, but she never thought she would need a service dog until she was diagnosed with a chronic illness, specifically Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which can cause unpredictable dislocations and fainting spells.
The Role of Service Dog
A service dog is more than just a pet. These furry friends are trained to assist people with disabilities, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disabilities. Service dogs help with tasks such as opening doors, retrieving dropped items like keys or a phone, alerting for medical emergencies such as an impending seizure or a drop in blood sugar, and providing deep pressure therapy for anxiety or emotional support. Sandy’s service dog, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever named Joey, has been trained by Doggie Do Good, a non-profit organization that specializes in training service dogs for those in need. Joey weighs approximately 65 lbs (29.5 kg), an ideal size for tasks requiring some strength and stability.
The Benefits of Having a Service Dog
Sandy shares that having a service dog has been life-changing for her. Not only does Joey assist her with daily tasks, such as bracing her when she feels dizzy or retrieving her medication, but he also provides emotional support, which is essential in managing her chronic illness. For example, Joey is trained to nudge her hand or lie across her lap when he senses her anxiety levels rising, a form of deep pressure therapy. Sandy can now go out in public with confidence, knowing that Joey is there to assist her. She also mentions that having a service dog has opened up many opportunities for her, including traveling and attending events like conferences or family gatherings that she couldn’t have done before due to the unpredictable nature of her condition. For more on understanding canine behavior, you might find our Dog Behavior Analysis tool helpful.
Training and Certification
Service dogs go through extensive training before they can be certified. Doggie Do Good provides custom training to suit the individual’s needs, and only dogs that pass the rigorous training program are certified. Sandy mentions that Joey’s training began when he was a 10-week-old puppy, focusing on foundational obedience like "sit," "stay," and "come," before progressing to specialized tasks. The entire process took nearly 18 months. She was also trained alongside Joey for several weeks to ensure they both work as a team, learning cues like "brace" for stability or "retrieve" for specific objects. Certification ensures that the dog is well-behaved in public, maintains a calm demeanor even in busy environments, and is trained to perform specific tasks, such as guiding a visually impaired person or alerting to medical changes. A dog's temperament is crucial for this role; breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds are often chosen for their intelligence and calm nature, but even a small breed like a Chihuahua could be trained for specific tasks if it has the right disposition, though they might not be suitable for bracing tasks. For a fun way to assess your dog's inherent traits, consider our Dog Personality Test.
The Role of Doggie Do Good
Doggie Do Good is a non-profit organization that specializes in training service dogs for those in need. They provide custom training to suit the individual’s needs, and only dogs that pass the rigorous training program are certified. Their rigorous program involves over 1,000 hours of training, starting from puppyhood at around 8-10 weeks of age, covering everything from basic obedience to advanced task work and public access manners. The organization operates solely on donations and volunteers, making it accessible to those who cannot afford to buy their service dogs, which can cost upwards of $25,000 from private trainers. Their commitment to matching the right dog with the right person is paramount, ensuring a successful partnership.
Conclusion
Sandy and Joey’s story is a reminder of the positive impact that service dogs can have on people’s lives. Having a service dog not only provides assistance with daily tasks but can also provide emotional support, leading to a better quality of life. Doggie Do Good’s dedication to training and providing service dogs to those in need is commendable. We hope Sandy’s story inspires others to consider the benefits of having a service dog. If you're curious about different breeds and their suitability for various roles, our Breed Selector Quiz can offer insights.
FAQs:
- What tasks can a service dog assist with?
A service dog can assist with a wide range of tasks, such as opening doors, retrieving dropped items like keys or a phone, alerting for medical emergencies (e.g., an impending seizure, high/low blood sugar, or a panic attack), guiding individuals with visual impairments, providing stability for those with mobility issues by acting as a brace, and offering deep pressure therapy for anxiety or PTSD. They can also remind owners to take medication or find help in an emergency. - How long does it take to train a service dog?
The training process for a service dog is extensive and can take anywhere from 1.5 to 2 years, sometimes even longer, depending on the individual’s specific needs and the complexity of the tasks required. This includes foundational obedience, public access training, and specialized task training. - Can any dog be trained as a service dog?
Not all dogs are suited for service dog work. Ideal service dog candidates, often identified as puppies around 8-12 weeks old, must have a calm, stable temperament, be highly intelligent, possess a strong desire to please, and be unfazed by novel environments or loud noises. While breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and German Shepherds are common, a dog's individual personality and health are more critical than its breed. For example, a tiny dog like a Chihuahua, while not suitable for bracing, could be trained to alert to blood sugar changes or retrieve small items. - Do you need a prescription to get a service dog?
No, you do not need a "prescription" in the traditional sense from a doctor to get a service dog. However, you will need to have a qualifying disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and your need for a service dog should be documented by a healthcare professional. This documentation helps establish that the dog performs tasks directly related to your disability. - Are service dogs allowed in all public places?
Yes, under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are allowed in all public places where the general public is permitted, including restaurants, stores, hospitals, hotels, and public transportation. This right applies even if a business has a "no pets" policy. The only exceptions are if the dog poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others, or if its presence would fundamentally alter the nature of a service or program.
Written and reviewed by the Doggie General editorial team. This article is general information for dog owners, not veterinary advice. If your dog is unwell or you are worried about its health or behavior, contact your veterinarian. When you buy through links on this site we may earn a commission.