The United States Service Dog Registry has joined the Internet for Peace campaign

Only a few times in a lifetime does an invention or idea come along that transforms the world. The printing press, penicillin, waste management, the telescope, the calendar and clock, the industrial revolution — the list could go on and on. One of the greatest inventions of our time is unarguably the Internet. It has the power to change lives and disseminate information instantaneously to the entire world. It affects how we live and learn on the most basic of levels.

It also has the ability to connect people together as a powerful force for peace. That's why we're joining Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Umberto Veronesi, Georgio Armani, Ricardo Luna, David Luna, Wired Magazine, Citroen, Current TV, Google, Oglivy, Sony Ericson, UnendoEnergia, Vodafone, Fastweb, Fineco, Meet the Media Guru, Telecom Itallia, Tiscali and thousands of independent people just like you to recommend the nomination of the Internet for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“The internet can be considered the first weapon of mass construction, which we can deploy to destroy hate and conflict and to propagate peace and democracy,” said Riccardo Luna, editor-in-chief of the Italian edition of Wired magazine. “What happened in Iran after the latest election, and the role the web played in spreading information that would otherwise have been censored, are only the newest examples of how the internet can become a weapon of global hope.”



We invite you to join the Internet for Peace campaign today by signing their online petition. It costs absolutely nothing and will only take a moment of your time.

Study: number of people living with paralysis equal the populations of Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. combined

This article was originally published at the the Christopher & Dana Reeve Newsroom

According to a study initiated by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, there are nearly 1 in 50 people living with paralysis — approximately 6 million people. That's the same number of people as the combined populations of Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. And that number is nearly 33% higher than previous estimates showed.

What does this mean?
It means that we all know someone — a brother, sister, friend, neighbor, or colleague — living with paralysis. These aren't strangers. They are only one degree of separation from all of us. But their lives are different. They live with a condition that affects their family life, their ability to work, and their capacity to enjoy even the most routine everyday activities that others take for granted. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation wants to change that.

Identifying the need
In 2004, the Reeve Foundation convened more than 60 of the nation's preeminent scientists, scholars, health advocates, and experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the nation's top universities, policy centers, and nonprofit health care organizations to identify what was needed to improve the quality of life for people living with paralysis. This Paralysis Task Force quickly discovered that there was insufficient reliable information about the prevalence of paralysis. Without that information, it would be impossible to devise new or evaluate existing policies, programs, and services for people living with paralysis. As a result, the Task Force's first recommendation for advancing paralysis as a public issue was to build a more robust and comprehensive national knowledge base about it.

Gathering the data
Five years later, that knowledge base has been established, supported by data from a project led by researchers at the University of New Mexico's Center for Development and Disability (CDD) from 2006 to 2008. Researchers designed and conducted an exhaustive survey of more than 33,000 households across the country. More than 30 experts in paralysis and statistics, including those from the CDC and 14 leading universities and medical centers helped to develop and set the parameters for the study. Today, this study represents one of the largest population based samples of any disability ever conducted.

Download the complete 28 page report from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

What are the Minimum Training Standards for Service and Assistance Dogs?

While not required by law, having proof of completion of these or other similar Minimum Training Standards and a Public Access Test (explained below) for Service and Assistance Dogs in the form of a professional training certificate or video recording may be helpful if challenged on the validity of your Service or Assistance Dog.

Please remember that owning and using a Service or Assistance Dog is a privilege, covered under the law, for disabled individuals who use a dog to help them complete specific physical tasks they would otherwise have difficulty performing on their own. It also comes with great responsibility. Service and Assistance Dogs teams have been granted their rights based on their excellent behavior, politeness, public conduct and the necessary, beneficial and functional tasks the dogs perform for their disabled owners.

Certain types of Service Dogs, such as Psychiatric Service Dogs, will require a doctor’s prescription for airline travel and access to other public areas. Simply registering with us does not qualify an animal or an individual as a Service or Assistance Dog Team or provide any special rights, legal or otherwise. Registration is for personal identification purposes only, similar to an online resume or providing a vest for your dog. Under the ADA, Service and Assistance Dog teams are not required to provide identification materials of any type in most circumstances, including badges, ID cards, dog vests or capes. Registration or membership with any organization is also not required.

Please note that misrepresenting an animal as a Service or Assistance Dog for any reason is not only unethical, but illegal and may be punishable as a misdemeanor. It is also in direct violation of our Terms and Conditions.


Training

Training may be completed by yourself, a friend, family member or professional trainer or training organization. It takes about six months to a year (120+ hours) to properly train a Service or Assistance Dog. A full-time professional trainer may be able to train a dog more quickly. Be prepared to spend at least 30 hours of training in a controlled public setting so that the dog will learn to behave obediently and unobtrusively in public. Please remember that you are 100% responsible at all times for the behavior and control of your Service or Assistance Dog, even during training.

Our mantra is document, document, document. We highly suggest keeping a notebook or a blog as a log or record of your training dates and accomplishments. It will not only serve to help you during the training process but will also serve as a useful paper trail for your Service or Assistance Dog.

Note that all states do not grant the privileges of the ADA to Service or Assistance Dogs who are in training. Owners who have Service or Assistance Animals in training may register with us, but are personally responsible for obeying all applicable laws.


Basic Obedience

Your dog must obey basic verbal and/or hand signal obedience commands such as Sit, Stay, Come, Down and Heel. When off leash, your dog must come when called.

Your Dog's Behavior
Your dog must also display good behavior and social skills including:

• No aggressive behavior toward people or other animals; no biting, no snapping, no growling, no mounting, no lunging and/or barking;
• No begging for food or petting from other people;
• No sniffing merchandise or people who pass by;
• No urinating or defecating in public unless given a command/signal to eliminate in an appropriate place.

Physical Tasks Related to a Disability

Many disabled people have pets. A Service or Assistance Dog is distinguished from a pet by the specific physical tasks they have been trained to complete. A Service or Assistance Dog is individually trained to complete specific identifiable physical tasks that it's disabled owner has trouble completing for him or herself. In other words, simply having a disability is not enough to qualify a pet as a Service or Assistance Dog. While it is illegal for someone to ask about your disability, they may ask what physical tasks your dog has been trained to complete.

What does it mean to be individually trained?

Individual training is the process by which a dog is specifically taught a behavior or task through rewards, praise or corrections. Methods may include using treats, clicker training or praise. Natural dog behavior such as protectiveness, barking, licking or comforting an owner are not considered appropriate tasks under the ADA, even if those actions help the disabled owner.

What is a Physical Task?

A physical task is a chore or behavior that a Service or Assistance Animal performs, on command or cue, to help a disabled person with something that they can not easily do for themselves.

A physical task must also be quantifiable in some way, such as fetching a medicine bottle for someone who is having a seizure, opening doors or drawers for someone who has physical mobility issues or alerting on glucose levels for a diabetic.

Examples of some things that would not be an appropriate physical task would be simply providing companionship, emotional support, guarding, protecting or even tasks performed merely for convenience such as fetching the morning paper.

If you need more clarification, please seek a local Service Dog trainer for help.

Appearance

Your dog should appear clean and well groomed at all times. Some Service and Assistance Dog handlers feel that a vest or I.D. is very helpful, even though it is not required by law. It is extremely important to look professional at all times.

Your Behavior

Please remember to be confident, polite, courteous and respectful at all times, even if you encounter someone who is unfamiliar with the ADA. Be prepared to explain what tasks your dog is trained to complete to help manage your disability. You do not need to explain your disability. Keep in mind that the impression you leave with someone may be their only experience with a Service or Assistance Dog team.

Passing a Public Access Test

The best tool for evaluating a team's readiness to graduate or finish formal training is a Public Access Test like the one available at ADI. It may be administered by a friend or family member, but again, keeping a video recording of your animal passing the test may prove valuable in the future.

How to travel with your Assistance or Service Dog, a step-by-step guide

It's that time of year again that many of us begin to think about traveling to be with family and friends for the holidays. While traveling with your trained Assistance Animal is your privilege, there are some steps you need to take to make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible.

Know what to expect
The Department of Homeland Security's Transportation Security Administration has universal guidelines for traveling with your assistance animal. But each airline interprets them slightly differently. The key to success? Always call first!

International traveling
Are you flying out of the country or to an island like Hawaii? Service Animals may need to be quarantined depending on your destination. Check with the airline to find out what the current regulations are for your destination country. Confirm with your airline and ask if there are any quarantines happening that you need to be aware of.

Some people are uncomfortable flying, and so are some animals
Even the best trained Assistance Animal may have difficulty flying and you need to judge your own animals temperament before you consider flying. If you are at all concerned about how your assistance animal will react to flying consider driving, Amtrak or Greyhound. Please note that Psychiatric Service Animals may also require special documentation from your doctor in the form of a letter.

Contact your airline before you travel
The crew may need to make preparations for your boarding, so you must call to make them aware of what type of animal you use. The agent may also be able to help you select the most comfortable seat for you and your animal. Find a direct flight if possible because it will make for an easier experience for you and your animal.

We've provided some links to the major carriers to make your life easier. Carrying certificates of training or identification cards, such as the ones we provide will help speed things along.

• United Airlines/United Express/Ted
• American Airlines/American Eagle
• Delta Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Air Canada
• Continental Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• US Airways
• JetBlue Airlines
  
• Alaska Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Lufthansa Airlines

Before you arrive, limit water and exercise your assistance animal
Most likely, it will be a long time before you'll find a good place for your Service Animal to relieve themselves again. Note: If you need to leave the secure boarding area to relieve your animal, you must undergo the full screening process again. Inform the Security Officer upon your return to the security checkpoint and she/him will move you to the front of the screening line to expedite the screening process.

You and your Service Dog must remain courteous and professional at all times
The experience others may have with you and your Service Dog may be the first and only they will ever have. It is up to you to leave them with an excellent impression. While it is your privilege under the law to be accompanied by your Service or Assistance Dog, you still need to be respectful of others who may be uncomfortable around animals. Keep your Service Dog under control at all times to avoid becoming the center of attention. Do not play with or show off your Service Dog in the airport or during your flight. Remember, how you and your Service Dog act directly affects other Service and Assistance Dog teams.

Arrive at the airport early and let security know that your Service Dog is not a pet
Inform the Security Officer that the animal accompanying you is a Service Animal and not a pet. This will provide you with an opportunity to move to the front of the screening line since the Security Officer may need to spend more time with you. Again, carrying appropriate identification such as cards or documentation, presence of a harness or markings on the harness, or other credible assurance of the passenger using the animal for their disability is required. At no time during the screening process should you be required to be separated from your Service Animal.

What tasks does your animal perform to help you with your disability?
What makes a Service Dog different from a pet are the specific physical tasks the animal can perform to help someone manage their disability. While it is inappropriate for someone to ask you about your disability, they may ask what tasks your dog is trained to perform. If you have a Psychiatric Service Dog it helps to have letter from a physician in addition to any other identification materials you may have. Remember, misrepresenting an animal as a Service or Assistance Dog isn't only unethical, it's against the law.

Be polite and accommodating of the Security Officers
Being polite and friendly with the Security Officers will go a long way to making your admission quicker. Remember, they have a stressful job and treating them with respect will make things easier. Security Officers have been trained how to treat Assistance Animals and their handlers. They know not to communicate, distract, interact, play, feed, or pet Service Animals. They are also trained to handle

You must assist with the inspection process by controlling the Service Animal while the Security Officer conducts the inspection. You must maintain control of your animal in a manner that ensures the animal cannot harm the Security Officer.

Proceeding through Security
Advise the Security Officer how you and your dog can best achieve screening when going through the metal detector as a team (i.e., whether walking together or with the Service Dog walking in front of or behind you). If the walk through metal detector alarms in the situation where you and your Service Dog have walked together, both you and the dog must undergo additional screening.

If the walk through metal detector alarms on either you or your Service Dog individually (because you walked through separately), additional screening must be conducted on whoever alarmed the walk through metal detector. If your Service Dog alarms the walk through metal detector, the Security Officer will ask your permission and assistance before they touch you Service Dog and its belongings. The Security Officer will then perform a physical inspection of your dog and its belongings (collar, harness, leash, backpack, vest, etc.) The belongings will not be removed from your dog at any time.

Check in at the gate
After you've gone through security, check in at the counter at the gate. Let the flight attendants know that you have an Assistance Animal. If this is your first time flying with your Assistance Animal on this airline, ask them what you need to do. Most likely you will be allowed to board the aircraft first.

Boarding the airplane
Once you've passed through the skybridge to the aircraft, the flight attendants on board will guide you to your seat. Most airlines require your Assistance Animal to use the space at your feet. Small dry treats for your animal will help them feel more comfortable. Avoid bringing water onto the plane for your dog.

Consider using Pet Airways
Depending on your disability, you may not need your animal with you in the airport and airplane, though you will when you land at your destination. Some disabled individuals choose to book their Service Animals on a special flights with airlines like Pet Airways.

Happy Thanksgiving and safe traveling!
We want to wish all of you a warm and happy Thanksgiving holiday! You can always refer others to confirm your registration here with your 10 digit code. Safe traveling!

We're working on our massive update — and making a difference in people's lives

It's been a while since our last blog entry. We've been very busy — hard at work on the major update to our website, adding features and making things clearer based on the input we've received from our members. There's a lot of planning, meetings, programming, writing, artwork (and more meetings) involved with what we're doing! As we move further along we'll post screen captures and more information on Twitter so be sure to follow @servicedog!

From time to time we get short notes of thanks in the form of letters and photos in the regular mail, in e-mail and as direct messages on Twitter. It's always nice to hear from those who need our services and who have benefited from them. We have been putting some of them in the sidebar in this blog but we thought it would be nice to do something more. We're starting a new feature where we will publish some of the wonderful correspondence we get, with permission from the author, in the main part of our blog.

Below is a warm and eloquent letter we received over the weekend...

What an amazing difference this Registry has made in my life. When I became disabled nearly five years ago, I went through all of the grieving processes needed to come to terms with my new way of life. The last thing I care to do, at this juncture in my life, is to have to explain my need for my Service Dog to those questioning her by my side. It seems that if you do not have a "known" disability such as hearing or sight loss, then the general public is less than welcoming of a Service Animal.

Now, I only have to show her Registration number and give the web address of your site and I'm left to do as I may and as I choose and as I need with my Dog ... without the added humiliation of an argument as to whether or not my dog (which, of course means me as well) is allowed to enter places. A truly kind gesture on your part, to offer us this free service, and very much appreciated! Thank you doesn't seem to convey how grateful I am.

— A.M.J.B. Florida

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Mercy Medical Center hosts program about Service Dogs for children with diabetes

Want to learn more about how Service and Assistance Dogs can be trained to help kids with diabetes? Mercy Medical Center in Canton, OH will host a special program titled "Understanding Diabetes and the Role of an Alert Service Dog" from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the hospital's Ambulatory Care Center Auditorium.

Diabetes alert service dogs are trained to identify the onset of hypoglycemia in people with insulin-dependent diabetes.

Sandy Finlayson, her six-year-old son Curtis, and their yellow laborador Taulb will be the special guests.

Diabetes, a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, affects approximately 21 million children and adults in the United States, according to the American Diabetes Association. Mercy's Outpatient Diabetes Education Program offers free adult and pediatric support groups, individual instruction from a nurse and dietitian, group class education and community events including an annual diabetes awareness health fair. Diabetes support groups offer men, women and children living with diabetes and their family members a supportive environment to learn more about how to manage the disease and cope with everyday issues.

Mercy's Diabetes Support Groups are free, but reservations are required. For more information or reservations, please call Mercy's Healthcare Connection at 330-489-1333 or 1-800-223-8662.

For more information about Mercy Outpatient Diabetes Education, call Debra Shaw, RN, BSN, CDE, diabetes education coordinator, at 330-489-1484.

Mercy Medical Center, a nonprofit corporation of the Sisters of Charity Health System and University Hospitals Health System, operates a 476-bed hospital serving Stark, Carroll, Wayne, Holmes and Tuscarawas Counties and parts of Southeastern Ohio. It has 550 physicians on its Medical Staff and employs 2,500 people. Mercy operates outpatient health centers in Carrollton, Jackson Township, Lake Township, Louisville, North Canton, Plain Township and Tuscarawas County. A Catholic hospital, Mercy Medical Center upholds the mission and philosophy of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and continues to be responsive to the needs of the community, including the provision of care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.

You can also follow Mercy Medical Center on Twitter @SOCHealthSystem

Sen. Franken's "Service Dogs for Veterans Act" passes Senate

Excellent news! The United States Senate has officially passed Sen. Al Franken's bill "The Service Dogs for Veterans Act," during a late night session last week. The bill is aimed at providing more Service and Assistance Dogs to disabled veterans. The program will partner with existing non-profit groups which train Service and Assistance Dogs. The three-year pilot program aims to train dogs to assist up to 200 disabled veterans who have mental or physical disabilities. During the course of the program The National Academy of Sciences will conduct a study to measure its effectiveness.

The bill has been incorporated into the Defense Authorization bill (S.1390) for the 2010 fiscal year. Franken commented, "There is evidence to suggest that increasing the number of service dogs would reduce the alarming suicide rate among veterans, decrease the number of hospitalizations, and lower the cost of medications and human care."
The bill was co-sponsored by Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) along with others from both sides of the aisle including Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Mark Begich (D-AK), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and John Ensign (R-NV).

The bill still needs to go through the House but chances are high that it will pass and be signed by Obama. You can read more on the Talking Points Memo blog.

Minnesota Senator Al Franken is serious about Service and Assistance Dogs.

Yesterday Al Franken wrote an article for the Minneapolis Star Tribune about his first piece of legislation as senator of Minnesota. He could have written his first bill for anything, but he chose to write it to help disabled veterans get Service Dogs.

This is an issue that has long been on Franken's radar and now, as the Junior Senator from Minnesota, he has the ability to do something about it. In January he met retired intelligence officer Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan and Tuesday, his golden retriever Service Dog. Capt. Montalvan uses a cane, and worse, suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from serving in the Anbar Provence in Iraq where he was the target of an assassination attempt. His Service Dog Tuesday helps him get through life every day.

Franken hopes that his legislation will make it easier for disabled vets to obtain Service and Assistance Dogs, which can cost upwards of $20,000. We support Senator Franken in his mission. If you have questions or would like to help, you contact him at info@franken.senate.gov or by phone at 202-224-5641.

Queen's University Belfast study finds dogs can help diabetics

There is still a large prejudice in the general public over what exactly qualifies as a Service or Assistance Animal. Small animals especially are at risk for discrimination because of their size, but sometimes those animals are perfect for assisting with certain types of conditions such as hypoglycemic episodes in diabetics.

Reuters published a story today about how researchers at Queen's University Belfast found a whopping 65 percent of 212 people with insulin-dependent diabetes reported that when they had a hypoglycemic episode their pets naturally alerted them by whining, barking, licking or by some other means. Training can only further that ability.

At the Cancer and Bio-Detection Dogs research center in Aylesbury, southern England, animal trainers are putting that finding into practice and honing dogs' innate skills.

The charity has 17 rescue dogs at various stages of training that will be paired up with diabetic owners, many of them children.

"Dogs have been trained to detect certain odors down to parts per trillion, so we are talking tiny, tiny amounts. Their world is really very different to ours," Chief Executive Claire Guest told Reuters TV.

The center was started five years ago by orthopedic surgeon Dr John Hunt, who wanted to investigate curious anecdotes about dogs pestering their owners repeatedly on parts of their body that were later found to be cancerous.

At around the same time, the first hard evidence was being gathered by researchers down the road at Amersham Hospital that dogs could identify bladder cancer from chemicals in urine.

The move into diabetes followed the case of Paul Jackson, who told Guest and her team about his dog Tinker who warns him when his sugar levels get too low and he is in danger of collapsing.

"It's generally licking my face, panting beside me. It depends how far I have gone before he realizes," Jackson said.

Tinker has now been trained by the Aylesbury center and is a fully qualified Diabetic Hypo-Alert dog, complete with red jacket to announce himself as a working assistance animal.

Stray dog saves another dog in heavy traffic

This is by no means Service Dog news, but it is absolutely incredible nevertheless. A stray dog wanders into traffic on a highway in Chile and is hit by oncoming traffic. Another stray dog sees the injured dog and pulls it to safety with it's paws. The injured dog lives after being spotted by highway workers.

I'll leave this video to speak for itself.

One of our Service Dog Registry members is in the news!

We're proud to say one of our registrants is in the news! Darlene Guthrie, a retired Police Animal Control Officer uses her dog, Fancy, to help with her epileptic seizures. She's been featured on local television news and in the newspaper.




Elkhart County Service Dog Displays a Unique Talent

by Tom Moore
South Bend Tribune Staff Writer

ELKHART — A dog left in a drop box at the Elkhart County Humane Society is making the most of a second chance at life.

Fancy, a 3-year-old Kai Ken-shepherd mix, was adopted by Darlene Guthrie in 2005, when Fancy was just 5 weeks old and weighed less than 3 pounds.

Guthrie, Elkhart Police Department’s animal rescue officer at the time, saw Fancy while dropping off a couple of other neglected dogs. It was love at first sight.

“She was so small; she looked like a kitten,” Guthrie recalled. “She kept batting her foot out of the cage. I picked her up and fell in love.”

But that was only the beginning. It wasn’t long until Guthrie noticed Fancy had a special talent — the ability to sense seizures in other dogs before they happen.

When Guthrie’s old Labrador dog began having seizures, Fancy would come to Guthrie and her husband.

“She’d come and get us and sit with the dog and us until it was over,” Guthrie said. “We just thought she was smart.”

Guthrie researched procedures to have a dog become a certified work dog and has been working with Fancy for the past several years. Fancy is registered with the United States Service Dog Registry and is considered a service dog.

But Fancy really did have a special talent, apart from being intelligent, and it wasn’t just sensing seizures in other dogs. Guthrie found that out when she developed epilepsy and began having seizures herself in September.

“I knew it was coming when she’d come up to me,” said Guthrie, who owns other dogs. “All you can do is lie down. She would actually stand over me, so my other dogs wouldn’t step over me. She literally stands over me and pushes the dogs off.

“I know I can trust her. I know exactly what she’s trying to tell me. I take her everywhere, now.”

Fancy would alert her owner about 15 seconds before a seizure, come over to her and start shaking.

Because of medication, Guthrie rarely has seizures anymore, but her condition did force her to retire recently from the Police Department, a job she loved for the past 20 years — 12 serving as the animal rescue officer.

Fancy is now Guthrie’s full-time service dog.

“Most service dogs do not want you to pet them,” Guthrie said. “Not because they’re not social, but because they’re working. But I have a sign around her in public that says, ‘I’m friendly, please pet me.’ ”

Dogs for the Deaf leads the way with Autism Assistance Dog training

Dogs for the Deaf in Oregon has launched one of the first programs in the country to train Autism Assistance Dogs — and they were featured a few months ago on KDRV Channel 12 in Medford, Oregon. A news crew came to film Dogs for the Deaf President and CEO, Robin Dickson and Canine Instructor, Carrie Brooks in a local mall where they were introducing the program to the public.



The Dogs for the Deaf Autism Assistance Dog program has been created in response to a need for help in the growing number of autism cases across the world. Dogs for the Deaf is leading the way with this type of Service Dog training. And this new type of training is backed up by experience — Dogs for the Deaf is the nation's oldest hearing dog program and has trained over 3,000 Service Dogs since it's start over 30 years ago.

Autism is a difficult condition for children and their parents. Trained Autism Assistance Dogs provide extremely valuable to help parents with calming and controlling children, especially as they are transitioning from one activity or environment to another. The dogs can also help draw a child out of their shell, allowing them to be more interactive which can help them learn and grow.

For more information on Dogs for the Deaf, to take a tour of their facility or to make a donation please visit their website or call 541-826-9220. You can also follow @dogsforthedeaf on Twitter where you can find information about their upcoming events, news and other news.

Service Dog numbers likely to increase as population ages

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services came out with a report this morning with some not-so-surprising results. The number of adults in the United States reporting disabilities increased by by 3.4 million between 1999 and 2005,. The study, published in today′s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, finds an estimated 1 in 5 U.S. adults (47.5 million, or 21.8 percent) report a disability. The three most common causes of disability among adults in the United States are arthritis or rheumatism, back or spine problems, and heart disease.

“It is likely we will see more dramatic increases in the number of adults with a disability as the baby boomer population begins to enter higher risk, older age groups over the next 20 years,” said Chad Helmick, M.D., CDC medical epidemiologist and coauthor of the study. “CDC is working with state health departments and communities to expand the availability of self-management education programs and interventions, such as appropriate physical activity programs, that can reduce the impact of disability.”

Arthritis encompasses more than 100 diseases and conditions that affect joints and other connective tissue. Training Service and Assistance Dogs for arthritis, rheumatism and other mobility conditions will most likely increase as well. Dogs can be trained to open and close doors, retrieve medicines, tools or other objects.

The study of data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation found that women ( 24.4 percent ) have a higher prevalence of disability compared with men ( 19.9 percent ) at all ages. The study also found that disability prevalence doubled for each successive age group — 11.0 percent for ages 18-44, 23.9 percent for ages 45-64, and 51.8 percent for ages 65 or older.

For more information please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• Arthritis
• Disabilities
• Heart Disease

We've updated our Terms and Conditions!

We know it doesn't make for an interesting read, but we've just officially updated our Terms and Conditions as we're getting ready for our website update. We're posting them here so everyone can read through them. Don't worry, most of it is just common sense and standard legal verbiage that goes into any website. Of course, use of our website, your 10 Digit Identification Number, Archival Documentation Package and Patches are subject to these terms.

1. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The United States Service Dog Registry. ("US Service Dog Registry" or referred to here as “USSDR”) warmly welcomes you. The USSDR has been created as a benefit to Service and Assistance Dog owners or handlers living or residing in the United States. The USSDR provides Services (defined below) to you subject to the following Terms and Conditions or Terms of Service ("TOS"), which may be updated by us from time to time without notice to you. By accessing and using this Website or Services you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of the TOS. In addition, if you choose to use Identification Materials with references to the USSDR (regardless of their source. i.e.. either made by you or purchased from a third party), use any of Materials we sell or provide on our website (including, but not limited to Identification Cards, Certificates, Patches, Animal Tags, etc.), refer to the USSDR in any way online or offline, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of the TOS. All such terms, guidelines or rules (including but not limited to our Privacy Policy) are hereby incorporated by reference into the TOS. All information in the USSDR, including but not limited to, data and information provided by users and registrants, information provided by the USSDR both in online form and offline form, shall hereby referred to as Content.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE USSDR SERVICES

Our Responsibility and Rules of Conduct:
Our purpose is to create a powerful tool for all Service and Assistance Dog handlers regardless of certification levels, training methods or other affiliations. At the core of that is our deep commitment to do the right thing in all aspects of our business including how we treat the environment, our customers and the Service Dog community as a whole. Our intention is to create a friendly and open Registry.

Participant's Responsibility and Rules of Conduct:
We expect and hope that you will use this Registry as intended and in a responsible and respectful manner. Registration is conducted under the honor system and any individual found to violate these rules will be expelled from the Registry. All Owners, Handlers (Registrants) and Animals must qualify under the United States Department of Justice's Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please visit http://www.ada.gov for more information if you need clarification. The Registry is not intended to be a certification process and we do not judge the proficiency of our registrants in any way, and nor would that be necessary under the law. Of course, we can not be responsible or liable for the actions of dog owners or their dogs either online or offline.

The USSDR provides Services only to Registrants who conform to the United States Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Our services provide no protection above or beyond the law. We are a tool, similar to an online resume or other online profile service. All data that is used is based solely on the assertions of the provider or Registrant themselves.

You understand and agree that the USSDR Services are provided "AS-IS" and that the USSDR assumes no responsibility for the timeliness, deletion, mis-delivery or failure to store any user communications or personalization settings. You are responsible for obtaining access to the USSDR Services, and that access may involve third-party fees (such as Internet service provider or airtime charges). You are responsible for those fees, including those fees associated with the display or delivery of advertisements. In addition, you must provide and are responsible for all equipment (ie. your computer, laptop or other wireless device) necessary to access the USSDR Services.

3. YOUR REGISTRATION OBLIGATIONS

In consideration of your use of the USSDR Services, you represent that you are of legal age to form a binding contract and are not a person barred from receiving the USSDR Services under the laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdiction. That means all USSDR registrants must conform fully to the current ADA law, meaning that you or the Registrant are the legal and rightful owner and user of a Service or Assistance Animal as described by the United States Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA). It is the responsibility of the registrants and users to understand and obey the ADA law online and offline. Other types of pets and working dogs including, but not limited to Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs and Agility Dogs are strictly forbidden from registration and using the USSDR Services or Website. This is true unless an animal meets the ADA requirements but is also dually trained to act as both a Service or Assistance Animal as well as to fulfill other duties such as that of a Therapy Dog. You also agree to: (a) provide true, accurate, current and complete information about yourself as prompted by the USSDR Service's registration form (the "Registration Data") and (b) maintain and promptly update the Registration Data to keep it true, accurate, current and complete. If you provide any information that is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, or the USSDR has reasonable grounds to suspect that such information is untrue, inaccurate, not current or incomplete, the USSDR has the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the USSDR Services (or any portion thereof).

4. USSDR PRIVACY POLICY

Registration and Profile Data and certain other information about you are subject to our applicable Privacy Policy. For more information, see the full USSDR Privacy Policy at http://www.usservicedogregistry.org/privacy.php. You understand that through your use of the USSDR Services you consent to the collection and use (as set forth in the applicable privacy policy) of this information.

5. MEMBER ACCOUNT, PASSWORD AND SECURITY

You will create a password and account designation upon completing the USSDR Service's registration process. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account and are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your password or account. You agree to (a) immediately notify the USSDR of any unauthorized use of your password or account or any other breach of security, and (b) ensure that you exit from your account at the end of each session. The USSDR cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to comply with this Section 5.

6. MEMBER CONDUCT

You understand that all information, data, text, photographs, graphics, messages or other materials ("Content"), whether publicly posted or privately transmitted, are the sole responsibility of the person from whom such Content originated. This means that you, and not the USSDR, are entirely responsible for all Content that you upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available via the USSDR Services. USSDR does not control the Content posted to areas such as, but not limited to, Profile Pages and Blog comments via the USSDR Services and, as such, does not guarantee the accuracy, integrity or quality of such Content. The registry is constantly updated with new Content from users, so although we hope it does not happen, you understand that by using the USSDR Services, you may be exposed to Content that is offensive, indecent or objectionable. We will make a reasonable effort to remove such content. Under no circumstances will the USSDR be liable in any way for any Content, including, but not limited to objectionable or offensive Content in Profile Pages, any errors or omissions in any Content, or any loss or damage of any kind incurred as a result of the use of any Content posted, e-mailed, transmitted or otherwise made available either online or offline.

You agree to not use the USSDR Services to:

1. misrepresent any animal as a Service or Assistance Animal for any reason whatsoever, whether personal, public or private, online or offline. Misrepresenting an animal as a Service or Assistance animal may be punishable by incarceration, fines including, but not limited to, other local or federal laws;
2. intentionally or unintentionally violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, including, but not limited to, the United States Department of Justice Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA);
3. upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another's privacy, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable;
4. harm any individual, company, entity or animal in any way;
5. impersonate any person or entity, including, but not limited to, a USSDR official, employee, volunteer or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
6. forge headers or otherwise manipulate identifiers in order to disguise the origin of any Content transmitted through the USSDR Service;
7. upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that you do not have a right to make available under any law or under contractual or fiduciary relationships (such as inside information, proprietary and confidential information learned or disclosed as part of employment relationships or under nondisclosure agreements);
8. upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any Content that infringes any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other proprietary rights ("Rights") of any party;
9. upload, post, email, transmit or otherwise make available any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
10. intentionally or unintentionally violate any applicable local, state, national or international law, including, but not limited to, regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Justice, or any other entities or agencies having the force of law;
11. collect or store personal data about other users in connection with the prohibited conduct and activities set forth in paragraphs 1 through 10 above.

You acknowledge that the USSDR may or may not pre-screen Registrations or Content, but that the USSDR shall have the right (but not the obligation) in their sole discretion to pre-screen, refuse, or remove any Registrations or Content that are available via the USSDR Services. Without limiting the foregoing, the USSDR shall have the right to remove any Content that violates the TOS or is otherwise objectionable. You agree that you must evaluate, and bear all risks associated with, the use or viewing of any Content, including any reliance on the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of such Content.

You acknowledge, consent and agree that USSDR may access, preserve and disclose your account information and Content if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such access preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to: (i) comply with legal process; (ii) enforce the TOS; (iii) respond to claims that any Content violates the rights of third parties; (iv) respond to your requests for customer service; or (v) protect the rights, property or personal safety of the USSDR, its users and the public.


7. CONTENT SUBMITTED OR MADE AVAILABLE FOR INCLUSION ON THE USSDR WEBSITE AND SERVICES

The USSDR does not claim ownership of your Registration or Content you submit or make available for inclusion on the USSDR Service. We will never share or distribute your personal information for any reason. However, please note that certain portions of the USSDR Website and Services Publicly Accessible, including a registrant’s Profile Page, which may be accessed via the 10 Digit Lookup Feature, Advanced Search or by direct URL link.

8. CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE USSDR

The USSDR has been founded and created from the ideas, suggestions, documents, and/or proposals ("Contributions") of Service and Assistance Dog owners and others who care about them. By submitting Contributions to the USSDR through e-mail or survey pages, you acknowledge and agree that: (a) your Contributions do not contain confidential or proprietary information; (b) the USSDR is not under any obligation of confidentiality, express or implied, with respect to the Contributions; (c) the USSDR shall be entitled to use or disclose (or choose not to use or disclose) such Contributions for any purpose, in any way, in any media worldwide; (d) the USSDR may have something similar to the Contributions already under consideration or in development; (e) your Contributions automatically become the property of the USSDR without any obligation of the USSDR to you; and (f) you are not entitled to any compensation or reimbursement of any kind from the USSDR under any circumstances.

9. INDEMNITY

You agree to indemnify and hold the USSDR, EBC Partners, LLC. and affiliates, volunteers, employees and partners harmless from any claim or demand, including reasonable attorneys' fees, made by any third party due to or arising out of Content you submit, post, transmit, modify or otherwise make available through the USSDR Services, your use of the USSDR Services, your connection to the USSDR Services, your use of any and all USSDR branded merchandise including but not limited to Patches, Identification Cards, Certificates, Animal Tags or other materials, your violation of the TOS, or your violation of any rights of another.

10. NO COMMERCIAL REUSE OF THE USSDR SERVICES, WEBSITE OR MATERIALS

You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, trade, resell or exploit for any commercial purposes, personal gain (including, but not limited to, access to public or private buildings or transportation) any portion or use of, or access to, the USSDR Services (including, but not limited to, the USSDR Logo, the names “United States Service Dog Registy”, “US Service Dog Registry”, or the USSDR URL, “usservicedogregistry.org”, “usservicedogregistry.com”, Content, Patches, Identification Cards, Certificates, Animal Tags, or 10 Digit Identification Number).

11. GENERAL PRACTICES REGARDING USE AND STORAGE

You acknowledge that the USSDR may establish general practices and limits concerning use of the USSDR Services, including without limitation a maximum about of time, months or years your data or other uploaded Content will be retained by the USSDR Services or Websites, the maximum disk space that will be allotted on the USSDR’s servers on your behalf. You agree that the USSDR, EBC Partners, LLC. and affiliates, volunteers, employees and partners has no responsibility or liability for the deletion or failure to store any data or other Content maintained or transmitted to the USSDR Services. You acknowledge that the USSDR reserves the right to inactivate or delete accounts that are inactive for an extended period of time. You further acknowledge that the USSDR reserves the right to modify these general practices and limits from time to time.

You also understand and agree that the USSDR may include advertisements and that these advertisements are necessary for the USSDR to provide Services. You also understand and agree that the USSDR Services may include certain important communications from the USSDR, such as service announcements, administrative messages and other informational updates, and that these communications are considered part of the USSDR membership and you will not be able to opt out of receiving them. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any new features that augment or enhance the current USSDR Services, including the release of new products, shall be subject to the TOS.

12. MODIFICATIONS TO THE USSDR SERVICES

The USSDR reserves the right at any time and from time to time to modify or discontinue, temporarily or permanently, the USSDR Services (or any part thereof) with or without notice. You agree that the USSDR shall not be liable to you or to any third party for any modification, suspension or discontinuance of the USSDR Services (or any part thereof).

13. TERMINATION

You may terminate your USSDR account, associated 10 Digit Identification Number and access to the USSDR Services by deleting your registrations from within the Registry using the tools we provide.

You agree that the USSDR may, without prior notice, immediately terminate, limit your access to or suspend your USSDR account, associated 10 Digit Identification Number, and access to the USSDR Services. Cause for such termination, limitation of access or suspension shall include, but not be limited to, (a) breaches or violations of the TOS or other incorporated agreements or guidelines, (b)requests by law enforcement or other government agencies, (c) discontinuance or material modification to the USSDR Services (or any part thereof), (d) unexpected technical or security issues or problems, (e) extended periods of inactivity, (f) engagement by you in fraudulent or illegal activities including, but not limited to, misrepresentation of an animal as described in Section XX. Further, you agree that all terminations, limitations of access and suspensions for cause shall be made in the USSDR's sole discretion and that USSDR shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your account, associated 10 Digit Identification Number or access to the USSDR Services.

Termination of your USSDR account includes any or all of the following: (a) removal of access to all or part of the offerings within the USSDR Services, (b) deletion of your password and all related information, files and content associated with or inside your account (or any part thereof), and (c) barring of further use of all or part of the USSDR Services.

14. DEALINGS WITH ADVERTISERS AND RESOURCES

Part of our mission is to help connect Service and Assistance Dog users with Trainers, Breeders or other Companies that may provide education or other benefit. Your correspondence or business dealings with, or participation in promotions of, advertisers or resources found on or through the USSDR Services, including payment and delivery of related goods or services, and any other terms, conditions, warranties or representations associated with such dealings, are solely between you and such advertiser or resource. You agree that the USSDR shall not be responsible or liable for any loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of any such dealings or as the result of the presence of such advertisers or resources found on the USSDR Services.

15. LINKS

The USSDR Services may provide, or third parties may provide, links to other World Wide Web sites or resources. You acknowledge and agree that the USSDR is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources, and does not endorse and is not responsible or liable for any Content, advertising, products or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. You further acknowledge and agree that the USSDR shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such

16. THE USSDR’S PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

You acknowledge and agree that the USSDR Services and any necessary software or database programming used in connection with the USSDR Services ("Software") contain proprietary and confidential information that is protected by applicable intellectual property and other laws. You further acknowledge and agree that Content contained in advertisements or resources or information presented to you through the USSDR Services or by advertisers and resources is protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patents or other proprietary rights and laws. Except as expressly permitted by applicable law or as authorized by the USSDR or the applicable licensor (such as an advertiser or resource), you agree not to modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, distribute, transmit, broadcast, publicly perform or create derivative works based on the USSDR Services, such Content or the Software, in whole or in part.

17. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES

A. YOUR USE OF THE USSDR SERVICES AND MATERIALS ARE AT YOUR SOLE RISK. THE USSDR SERVICES AND MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. THE USSDR, EBC PARTNERS, LLC. AND AFFILIATES, VOLUNTEERS, EMPLOYEES AND PARTNERS EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

B. USSDR, EBC PARTNERS, LLC. AND AFFILIATES, VOLUNTEERS, EMPLOYEES AND PARTNERS MAKE NO WARRANTY THAT (i) THE USSDR SERVICES OR PRODUCTS WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS; (ii) THE USSDR SERVICES OR PRODUCTS WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, TIMELY, SECURE OR ERROR-FREE; (iii) THE RESULTS THAT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE USE OF THE USSDR SERVICES OR MATERIALS WILL BE ACCURATE OR RELIABLE; (iv) THE QUALITY OF ANY PRODUCTS, SERVICES, INFORMATION OR OTHER MATERIAL PURCHASED OR OBTAINED BY YOU THROUGH THE USSDR SERVICES WILL MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS; AND (v) ANY ERRORS IN THE SERVICES OR MATERIALS WILL BE CORRECTED.

C. ANY MATERIAL DOWNLOADED, E-MAILED, SENT VIA TRADITIONAL MAIL OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED THROUGH THE USE OF THE USSDR SERVICES IS ACCESSED AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION AND RISK, AND YOU WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HEREBY WAIVE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AND CAUSES OF ACTION WITH RESPECT TO ANY DAMAGE THAT RESULTS FROM THE RECIEPT OF ANY SUCH MATERIAL.

D. NO ADVICE OR INFORMATION, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, OBTAINED BY YOU FROM THE USSDR OR THROUGH OR FROM THE USSDR SERVICES OR MATERIALS SHALL CREATE ANY WARRANTY NOT EXPRESSLY STATED IN THE TOS.

18. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

YOU EXPRESSLY UNDERSTAND AND AGREE THAT THE USSDR, EBC PARTNERS, LLC. AND AFFILIATES, VOLUNTEERS, EMPLOYEES AND PARTNERS SHALL NOT BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR ANY PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, EMPLOYMENT, PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY HOUSING, GOODWILL, USE, DATA OR OTHER INTANGIBLE LOSSES (EVEN IF THE USSDR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES), RESULTING FROM: (a) THE USE OR THE INABILITY TO USE THE USSDR SERVICE; (b) THE COST OF PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS AND SERVICES; (c) UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO OR ALTERATION OF YOUR TRANSMISSIONS OR DATA; (d) STATEMENTS OR CONDUCT OF ANY THIRD PARTY ONLINE OR OFFLINE; OR (e) ANY OTHER MATTER RELATING TO THE USSDR SERVICE.

19. NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES

You agree that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this TOS, there shall be no third-party beneficiaries to this agreement.

20. NOTICE

The USSDR may provide you with notices, including those regarding changes to the TOS, including, but not limited to e-mail, traditional mail, Twitter and Blog postings on the USSDR Services, or other reasonable means now known or hereafter developed. Such notices may not be received if you violate this TOS by accessing the USSDR Services in an unauthorized manner. Your agreement to this TOS constitutes your agreement that you are deemed to have received any and all notices that would have been delivered had you accessed the USSDR Services in an authorized manner.

21. TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION

You agree that all of the USSDR’s trademarks, trade names, service marks and other USSDR logos and brand features, including the Mascot “Reggie the Service Dog”, Access Icons and product and service names are trademarks and the property of EBC Partners, LLC. (the "USSDR Marks"). Without USSDR's prior permission, you agree not to display or use in any manner the USSDR Marks.

21a. HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN IDENTIFICATON

We do allow our members to create their own identification, either at their own home, at a local copy shop or online. All forms of ID are acceptable under the ADA. You may only use our name, your 10 digit ID code and a link to our website. You may not us any of the USSDR logos, Mascots or Access Icons.

22. GENERAL INFORMATION

Entire Agreement. The TOS constitutes the entire agreement between you and the USSDR and governs your use of the USSDR Services, superseding any prior version of this TOS between you and USSDR with respect to the USSDR Services. You also may be subject to additional terms and conditions that may apply when you use affiliate services, third-party content or third-party products, including, but not limited to, Flickr, Twitter or PayPal.

Choice of Law and Forum. You agree that the USSDR will have first choice of forum regardless of your location.

Waiver and Severability of Terms. The failure of the USSDR to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the TOS shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. If any provision of the TOS is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the parties nevertheless agree that the court should endeavor to give effect to the parties' intentions as reflected in the provision, and the other provisions of the TOS remain in full force and effect.

No Right of Survivorship and Non-Transferability. You agree that your USSDR Account and Registration is non-transferable and any rights to your USSDR 10 Digit ID Number or Profile Contents within your Account and Registration terminate upon your death. Upon receipt of a copy of a death certificate, your account may be terminated and all contents therein permanently deleted.

Statute of Limitations. You agree that regardless of any statute or law to the contrary, any claim or cause of action arising out of or related to use of the USSDR Services or the TOS must be filed within one (1) year after such claim or cause of action arose or be forever barred.

The section titles in the TOS are for convenience only and have no legal or contractual effect.

Please report any violations of the TOS privately to our Customer Service Department.

-Alert- We need your help; would-be Service Dog needs home

Sometimes some dogs just don't work out as Service Dogs. Despite everyone's best intentions either the training doesn't take, a dog won't alert when needed on a seizure or the owner can't handle the animal any longer.

We were recently contacted by the The City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center in Virginia because they received a female one-year-old white German Shepherd Dog wearing one of our United States Service Dog Registry tags. We immediately checked our registry and found that the animal was not turned in by the original owner. As per our policy, we forwarded the information to the owner of record in case there was a mistake; giving the original owner the opportunity to respond if they so wished. The original owner can't take care of the animal any longer.

We want to help find a good home for this dog and we are reaching out to our community to spread the word about this animal. In addition to this blog we will be sending out alerts on Twitter and posting these pictures in our Flickr account. If you're on Twitter, please retweet us.

If you know of anyone who may be able to claim this dog, please contact The City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center as soon as possible. According to the Animal Adoption Center, if this dog is not claimed she may be put down.

The City of Manassas Animal Adoption Center
10039 Dean Drive, Manassas, VA 20110
Phone: (703) 257-2420 or E-Mail

HOURS:
Mon, Tues & Fri: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm; 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Wed : 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Thurs: CLOSED
Sat : 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Sun & Holidays: CLOSED

The United States Service Dog Registry is on Superman's resource list

We've been recommended by a lot of organizations, but this one makes us the happiest. We just found out today we're included on the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center List. The foundation promotes the health and well-being of people living with a spinal cord injury, mobility impairment and paralysis by providing comprehensive information, resources and referral services.

You can download a copy of the PDF from christopherreeve.org here.

Get a free eye exam for your service dog

Here's some great news. The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is going to be giving free eye exams to documented working dogs durring the week of May 3-9, 2009. Over 180 board certified veterinary ophthalmologists are going to donate their time and services.

The program is sponsored by Hills Pet Nutrition, KONG Veterinary Products (yep, KONG, you know, the rubber things you fill with peanut butter) and OptiGen, a company that helps provide genetic DNA based diagnoses and information about inherited diseases of dogs.

Note: Yes, we know that they are using the term "Service Dogs" incorrectly and we've notified the ACVO. We're also thrilled that they are offering this generous and amazing service. Please pass this information along!

Tweet! The United States Service Dog Registry is now on Twitter

We're happy to announce that the United States Service Dog Registry is on Twitter! We're going to be Tweeting service and assistance dog news from around the world as well as information about ourselves. We hope you add us to your mobile device or your computer.

New to Twitter? We recommend using Firefox and the Twitterfox addon (just visit Firefox and search for Twitterfox). We like it because it adds a small "t" to the bottom of your browser and displays Tweets in an easy and out-of-the way place.

The United States Service Dog Registry helps find lost Service Dog

-For Immediate Release-

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The United States Service Dog Registry helps reunite a lost autism Service Dog with the two children she is trained to serve. The reunion occurred just days before the children's mother left for Iraq where she is a Clinical Psychologist assisting units dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as part of the Behavioral Sciences division of the Medical Service Corps.

Because of the Registry's strict privacy policy no names may be used, but for ease of explanation we will refer to the family as the "Smiths."

In December the Smiths moved to Michigan with their two autistic children. While still in the process of moving in to their new home, one of the children let the dog out and she became lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. The dog was wearing tags, but the contact information had not been changed for the new address. Luckily, one of the tags the Service Dog was wearing was a United States Service Dog Registry tag.

The dog was found by a teacher who works at a special education center. The teacher contacted us via e-mail requesting the owner's information. Due to our privacy policy we do not give out private information for any reason, but we were able to quickly identify the owner via the number printed on the tag. Adding to the difficulty of the situation was the fact that the contact information listed in the Registry was also for the family's old address. Fortunately, we had a current e-mail that we were able to use to reach the family.

"Thank you!" said Dr. Jane Smith. "It was beginning to snow here and I'm leaving for Iraq and we were getting a bit anxious about having her home. My kids didn't sleep last night." After the Service Dog was home safe and sound, Dr. Smith updated her Registry information. Even though this isn't the main purpose of the Registry, we were very happy to have been able to help this family.

About the The United States Service Dog Registry: With the input from over 100 Service Dog handlers in America, the United States Service Dog Registry (USSDR) represents the most democratic realization of an assistance animal registry to-date. The results are a Registry with free online registration conducted by an independent, non-governmental, secure and privacy-conscious service. Service Dog teams may register online at http://www.usservicedogregistry.org

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The 133rd Westminster Dog Show begins Monday in New York

Sure, it's not a Service Dog event but it's still fun. And if you're looking for someone to root for, we suggest D'Artagnan, one of the top five Bouviers des Flandres in the nation — and also a certified Service Dog who helps his handler, Tracy Turner.

The Westminster Kennel Club 133rd Annual Dog Show is this Monday and Tuesday in New York. Tickets are still available for the Madison Square Garden event, and if you can't make it you can watch it on TV. The Hound, Terrier, Non-Sporting, and Herding group competition will be televised live Monday on USA Network from 8-9PM ET and continuing on CNBC from 9-11PM ET. The Sporting, Working, Toy, and Best In Show competition will be televised live Tuesday on USA Network from 8-11PM ET.

Breed judging highlight videos are available throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday on the Westminster Web site. These highlights will be available after the show, as well.

In New York everybody seems to get into the show in a big way. The Empire State Building has put on the dog with Westminster’s official gold and purple colors. Macy’s and Saks 5th Avenue have put up doggy window displays. Even New York's pet-friendly restaurants bone-up with special canine menus. It's part of history — Madison Square Garden has been the home of the dog show since the 1800s. After all, the Westminster Dog Show is one of the top 10 events in the city.

Events surrounding the show carry on all week. For more information check out Metromix New York.

Please don't buy your pet from a puppy mill

The United States Service Dog Registry is a proud supporter of the Humane Society of the United States. One of their focuses is their campaign to Stop Puppy Mills. This Saturday, January 10th, they are hosting rallies across the country to educate people about the problems with buying your dog from a puppy mill.

1. Puppy mill dogs often have health and behavior problems.
   
2. Consider adopting from a local shelter instead of buying a puppy from a pet store or an internet ad.
   
3. Puppy mill dogs are raised in poor conditions and lack social interaction.

What are puppy mills?
Puppy mills are breeding facilities that house dogs in poor conditions where they are bred and sold for profit. Many of these dogs are caged for years, bred continuously, and lack social skills because they receive no human companionship.

Once puppy mill dogs are no longer fertile, they are commonly killed, abandoned, or sold to another puppy mill. The result of puppy mills is hundreds of thousands of puppies, many with behavior or health problems, and many with little hope of ever being adopted.

Puppy mills exist because unsuspecting consumers keep buying dogs from pet stores, classifieds, or over the internet. It is up to us to spread the word and educate our friends and family about the reality of puppy mills.

What can you do?
The Humane Society has a whole page of tips, including materials you can use to help stage a grassroots campaign.