Most Asked Questions

Hi. It's Spring Break and kids are off school. I'm posting these again because they are so informative. All of these answers are in the book also. Maybe it's a good time to get and read the book. Reading is important.



What does the dog do for me?

Gets the phone for me, picks up dropped objects like socks, clothing, utensils, pens, eye glasses, keys. The dog walks next to me on a leash without pulling me over. When I’m on the ground, the dog stands still so I can grab his back and dog and use him as a bench.

How long training period?

18 months for full duty, the dog needs their strong bones mature to not hurt them.

When can the dog get pets?

When I take the “Off duty.

When I say the word, “Release” the dog knows they are on a break and I’m not depending on them for support.

How can they get a service dog?

Go to a large group like Canines for Independence or other groups that offer adult service dogs or pick out a calm pup and pay for a dog trainer that specialized in service dogs. The problem with starting with pup is very difficult, you are the puppy raiser and with a disability that is challenging and you won’t know until the dog is going to be a good service dog until well into the second year.

When does the dog get too old to work? What happens then?

That depends on what the dog’s job is. For example Jetta can still come with me to appointments. She walks next to me but not do any of my weight bearing like helping me stand up.Jetta is slowing down and getting tired and loves to work but also is enjoying being lazy. Because Jetta is my dog, she stays with me for the rest of her life. With guide dogs sometimes the person can keep the old dog but sometimes that’s not possible.

Who qualifies for a service dog?

Any one with a disability that doctors note that a service dog would make their life safer.

Types of service dogs
Guide dogs
Seizure dogs
Hearing dogs
Dog for stress disorders
Service dogs for returning Vets with post traumatic stress disorders.

Our Pack

Today at the beach we met tons of kids from our school. The kids were happy to see us. They remembered one of Bud's tricks that he performed in front of the school assembly. This trick is about listening. I put Bud on a "Sit, Stay", then I threw the ball and Bud had to stay there and wait until I said the word "Release." I whispered to the group of kids that word, then I threw the ball and Bud had to listen for that word,"Release," before he ran for the ball. The kids love this. While Bud is on a "Sit and Stay" I say and sing different words trying to trick him. Finally after a minute or so we say the word "Release,"together. After hearing that word, Bud runs and gets the ball, all the kids clap. Bud then struts around proudly for good listening. At these school groups, I tell about different true stories in Jetta's Journey, and I teach the kids about training our dogs as in our families; our Pack. When we left the beach to come home, one little boy said "just blow your whistle then Bud will come". By then Bud found a guy down the beach a ways to throw the ball. I blew my whistle and Bud stopped playing and ran to me. Then I showed them how Bud's job is to help me. I said to Bud the command, "Stand," and Bud stood there to help me stand up from sitting on the sand. The best part of this morning is that the kids want to follow Jetta's blog. I love sharing about my service dogs. The kids are motivated to teach their own dog tricks. Our dogs are our family, they want to be trained. Remember what Jetta and Bud's trainer says, practice, practice,practice. More time spent on your dogs means happy dogs.

Jetta's Journey ~ Life and Times of a Service Dog: Long Tongue Contest

Jetta's Journey ~ Life and Times of a Service Dog: Long Tongue Contest: "Hi I’m Big Bud Jr. I have a long tongue. People laugh at me when I play and my long tongue hangs out. My tongue is good for kissing. Mom..."

Long Tongue Contest

Hi I’m Big Bud Jr. I have a long tongue. People laugh at me when I play and my long tongue hangs out. My tongue is good for kissing. Mom says I’m the best kisser in the family. Mom says to comment about all your other dog’s tongues.

Nothing Better Than Morning Kisses

My favorite time of day is when I I wake up and get on the floor with my dogs for some loving. I love kissing Jetta's jowls. Bud gets jealous and he joins in the morning ritual. Jetta loves rubs and rolls around with pleasure as she smiles. Bud is the kisser in the family. He moans and gives Jetta little love bites. What a way to start your day. Try this if you don't already do it. It takes 2 minutes to make your dog happy. Even on my busy days I do this. It helps me feel loved.

Kindness Of Strangers

I've feeling not my normal 100% for a few days. This a.m. while walking, my body felt as if I was 90 years old. I was walking with my walker on the way to a good 2 mile walk that I do all the time when the beach is not walkable. I felt like I was walking in slow monition. I hear a voice of a man who was running who I have never seen before,he was most likely tourist, he yells out to me," I'm proud of you,I don't know you, but I'm proud of you." I wanted to cry. How wonderful is that, when people connect with others for good wishes, encouragement, or to say to a friend " I love you. How nice is that? Lets try to say something nice to a stranger. Strangers have help me out bad situations more than once. You actions and words impact people

Jetta's Journey ~ Life and Times of a Service Dog: Zen Jetta

Jetta's Journey ~ Life and Times of a Service Dog: Zen Jetta: "Jetta is an old dog now and her life has changed since her retirement. Jetta goes in the car with us whenever possible, but she misses a lo..."