The other day I saw on TV a disabled young woman with impaired balance. She did not use aids for walking but she had a service/balance/walker dog. I've heard about service dogs for blind people, ppl who use wheelchairs, kids with autism,...etc. But I've never heard of a "balance/walker dog". Do you know of anybody who is able to walk but due to balance problems has a helper dog?

Thanks ;)

Kat

I have thought of getting one, especially to help me get up from falling. These are amazing animals!:)

Okay, but what the heck does a "Balance Dog" do, Jo-Lynn? This is interesting to me...

Okay, but what the heck does a "Balance Dog" do, Jo-Lynn? This is interesting to me...
really...i'd love to know.

Okay, but what the heck does a "Balance Dog" do, Jo-Lynn? This is interesting to me...

Well, I wouldnt call it a Balance Dog... I'd call it an assistive dog. For me, it would be like a live cane.... lol. I opted for a regular cane instead. Also, when I fall, they are trained to allow you to lean on them to assist you to a standing position. That would be most valuable t o me as I spend alot of time 'kissing dirt' lol.

I have a service dog - named Quincy. He helps me with momentum, balance, medical alert etc.

The term you are looking for is Mobility Assistance Service Animal.

The dogs wear a harness with a handle.

Basically - what the dogs do - is when walking - the dogs help pull your legs through fully to help the person walk correctly.

They provide balance support by bracing - standing straight on all 4 legs/paws when a person feels unsteady or is falling. The handler leans on the dog for support. This prevents Falling and helps regain balance.

The dogs can also cross brace, meaning when the dog knows your body well enough - as Quincy does mine, he can tell that I am unsteady even if I am unaware. He will cross infont of me and brace me either by standing like I explained in the paragraph before, or he will even lean into me, helping me regain my upright position.

If you need anymore information let me know.

Amber and Service Dog Quincy

I thought about getting one before I decided to get a wheelchair. They seem pretty awesome and I love dogs!

I can see this as an option for me in the future! It seems like a godsend really! Once I am situated in my job as a disability resource worker- I have applied but not heard- then I would feel so comfy with one. When I was working in a regulsar office, my boss wouldnt allow a dog in the facility. What a jerk!

When I was working in a regulsar office, my boss wouldnt allow a dog in the facility. What a jerk!

Don't you have a law in Canada that says your service dog get to go where ever?

I think that this kind of service dog is neat! It would be weird to me to be walking a dog and not having it pull me like a fool though!

My austrailian shepards have their own system if I fall and can't get up (all on their own) - one (the fat cow) sits on me and licks me to death while crushing all my internal organs and the other will run circles around me jumping up and down barking like the moron he is... lol but if you tell him (that is if the dog doesn't have her tongue down my throat!) to get someone he will. :D

Dogs are great!! And so intuitive!

Jo-Lynn,
I looked imy my access books/legal rights of service, guide and hearing dogs.

For Canada laws go to

www.adionline.org

Go to ADI's GUIDE TO ASSISTANCE DOG LAWS

Click on View guide in PDF or HTML format. They have Canada laws in there.

Its starts I believe on Page 67 or below.

I hope this helps - And from what I have read - your old boss had no legal right to deny you to bring a service animal in, they are dogs yes, but they are NOT pets, they are used as a medical device.

Amber and Service Dog Quincy