DOGS on DUTY is a SUPPORT GROUP for SERVICE DOGS and SDITs (in Training). However, due to the need to EDUCATE the Public about Service Dog Protocol and ASSIST Owners with Training and Socialization, we have become a Community Service Network. We are supporting and under-girding a SERVICE DOG ONLY group locally, Randolph County NC Service Dog Support Group (FB). This group does require that members
have legitimate SDs or SDITs. We do meet for group sessions to discuss and work on issues we experience or just to encourage one another. However, we also have a group of Dogs in Training whose Owners are SERIOUS about Training and making a serious effort to SOCIALIZE and TRAIN their potential Therapy Dog, Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog or Working Dog. Some of these are SERVICE DOGS or SDITs who just need the extra assistance with problems they face with Public Access or Specific tasks. We work as a PACK, in a casual setting- at public events or dog-friendly places. WE DO ASK THAT ANY DOG WEARING A VEST OR PATCH HAVE THEIR AKC CGC evaluation. UTILIZATION OF A SERVICE DOG IS A LIFESTYLE. Many do not know that we log in a MINIMUM of 250 hours of training time. It is not uncommon for a professionally trained SD to have 1-1/12 years of training! (Especially for disabilities such as diabetes and seizure disorders.) That is why it is essential for the general public to understand that most SERVICE DOGS are not to be distracted while they are ON DUTY. IN REFERENCE TO BEING ON DUTY- many of our SDs are ON DUTY almost all the Time! A SD may appear to be sleeping or resting while the handler is hanging out but our dogs are totally aware of our presence. A SERVICE DOG does not necessarily look just like a Lab or retriever, although these breeds are often used because of their adaptability and work ethic. ALL BREEDS could be a working dog but not ALL DOGS are capable of being a SERVICE DOG. It takes a SPECIAL & UNIQUE canine to meet the high demands of a SD. You will find that legislation, regulation and SD mandates vary from state to state, which adds to confusion regarding Service Dog Access and Policy. For the most part, you should be able to discern if a dog had been appropriately trained because the Handler and the Dog are working as a Team. These two have trained on Basic - Advanced Obedience, Socialization & Distraction/Environments; our dogs are supposed to be current in all vaccinations, spayed/neutered and micro-chipped. We must maintain high grooming standards and hopefully handlers take extra-precautions when their dogs are in high-traffic places by cleaning paws.etc. We are supposed to provide our dogs with a safety zone and watch if they are getting stressed or tired, and need adequate breaks. There are three easily accessed training references (besides ADA standards) that Owner-Trained SDs can access and even get evaluated & tested for through the AKC. The website www.akc.org provides information on CANINE GOOD CITIZEN, COMMUNITY CANINE and URBAN CANINE. Local evaluators are registered with the AKC and local trainers can be found to provide Group Obedience Classes to provide some foundational skills. REGISTERING YOUR DOG AND BUYING A VEST ONLINE DOES NOT MAKE YOUR DOG A SERVICE DOG. It makes YOU a POSER and there are now laws that make this illegal. This is not stated to condemn you but for you to understand that there are some of us who NEED a Service Dog and go through Great Lengths INVESTING in TRAINING, etc. PLEASE DO NOT COMPROMISE THE MISSION just because you want a Doggie Date for Dinner.
Our Page = An Information Exchange for those in our area training with Service Dogs. We meet in Randolph County & we are Casual, yet Committed.
