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National Service Dog Month

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Some dogs get up and get dressed to go to work like the human population. These dogs, often recognized by their vests or ID tags, are service dogs. September is Service Dog Awareness Month. How much do you know about service dogs?

Definition

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is defined as “a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability.”   You may be familiar with seeing different types of service dogs: guide dogs; medical alert dogs; or psychiatric service dogs.

And other types of dogs have support roles for people, but do not meet the definition of a working dog to qualify for the accommodations under the ADA. For example, emotional support animals and therapy dogs play a significant role to the individuals they serve. But, these animals are not considered ADA defined service dogs.

Training

The AKC reports that both for-profit and non-profit organizations train services dogs. The cost to train a single dog can exceed $25,000. Standards are high for these dogs. Dropout rates range between 50 and 70 percent.

A fact that surprised me was that service dogs do not have to be professionally trained per the ADA. So, an individual could train their own dog. The AKC suggests the ideal candidate have the following characteristics:

  • Be calm, especially in unfamiliar settings
  • Be alert, but not reactive
  • Have a willingness to please
  • Able to learn and retain information
  • Be capable of being socialized to many different situations and environments
  • Be reliable in performing repetitive tasks

Interaction

It’s important to note that not all service dogs wear vests. And like all dog etiquette, requesting permission to approach or pet a dog. Service dogs are not considered pets, but rather working animals.

If you want to find out what it is like to have a service dog, check out a first-hand account on the AKC’s website: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/news/what-its-really-like-to-have-a-service-dog-national-service-dog-month/

National Dog Mom Day Is May 8th

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As a native West Virginian I know the backstory behind Mother’s Day. But did you know there’s a National Dog Mom Day?

Back in 2018, the personal dating app Dig – an app designed for people with dogs – established the holiday. National Dog Mom Day happens the Saturday before Mother’s Day.

While the pandemic may still limit some of the things that can be done to celebrate, we think that any holiday that involves your dog is a winner.

And according to a survey by rover.com, 3 out of 4 ladies consider themselves dog moms, not just pet parents.  [Read more…] about National Dog Mom Day Is May 8th

National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week

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This week kicks off National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week. We think November is a great time to mention some of our favorite groups.

The first week of November is set aside as a way to honor animal shelters and the dedicated people who work in this field.

According to The Humane Society of the United States,  there are “approximately 3,500 animal shelters across the United States, available to serve the estimated 6–8 million homeless animals that seek refuge each year, but only about half are adopted. While 63 percent of American households include pets, fewer than 20 percent of them were adopted from shelters.”

Floofins & Co. supports the Hinsdale Humane Society and the West Suburban Humane Society at their annual events.  [Read more…] about National Animal Shelter and Rescue Appreciation Week

Keeping Things Going During This Pandemic

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Maybe you are feeling a little fatigue from this long season of COVID. Someone reminded me that I had originally said that we would be back in the office in a couple of months. You can quote me from SIX months ago. 

Beyond getting a puppy (check), stocking up on disinfectant (check), and cancelling most of my plans (super check), what can a girl do?

What I Am Doing

Here’s something I have been doing pretty frequently for the last two months: frequenting local businesses. I’m not talking about chains or big brand names, though I use them periodically. 

Most mornings, within my budget, I head over to a local coffee shop that makes great lattes and breakfast and lunch items. I do this because the owner is there every single day trying to make things work. And I want her to be around once this thing ends.

This is hard for all of us. We have to manage our resources the best we can. But, the small businesses trying to keep their employees, well frankly, employed, need our help. Even if that means doing things like scheduling a dog walk once or twice a week. Even though you might be able to do it yourself now.

I schedule my dog walker at least once a week when I run errands. Good for socialization, good for my dog walking company, good for the dog walker I want to stay employed and caring for my pet and not looking for another gig. 

What You Can Consider Doing

So, as you consider how to allocate your resources, consider the dog walker who may have been caring for your pet for a year or two. Will they be able to keep doing this job if I don’t bring them in with some regularity? Probably not. Will the dog walking company I use be able to survive if I don’t keep them in rotation? Maybe not. 

While every situation is different, what I most want to see are the people who live in my community and put their heart into their work to still be around in 2021. I know it’s a challenge. (Believe me, I’ve reached out to find some professional help to talk this thing over and the mental toll it has taken.) But, at the end of the day, the thing I have always loved the most about my community is the way hold each other up. The way we come together to help one another. The way we care. 

I won’t go on my soapbox about businesses I boycott, but if I want my life to resemble pre-COVID (hopefully) next year, I know I have to do some work. And that includes keeping those companies that I love going. Even if it is a small once-a-week dog walk when I grab supplies. Just my friendly reminder that even if you don’t see the struggles, these companies are barely hanging on. Let’s do what we can to keep them around. 

And hang in there. You are not alone. We will survive. 

Kids and Dogs: How to Help Teach Them to Respect One Another

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How To Make The Kids and Dogs Relationship A Positive One

April 26 is National Kids and Pets Day! When it comes to families, many generally include kids and animals, although sometimes it can be difficult for everyone to get along. Some breeds of dogs are more prone to love kids while others may have a harder time. Same goes for children; some kids naturally get along with dogs while others may be more reserved around them. Here are some ways to help ensure a good relationship between your children and your dog.

One way to start is by using what Karen Pryor’s Clicker Training site calls “management.” This means controlling the environment in which the child and the dog will be in. If you know that the dog is a bit fearful of kids, be sure to put the dog in their crate and/or keep them occupied with a toy so they don’t get so stressed out with a child being around. Another good way to ensure a good relationship is starting early! Teach the child at a young age that the dog is not scary but is someone to be loved and cared for. This way your kids also learn to not be too rough with the dog, helping to make sure there are no accidental bites occurring. [Read more…] about Kids and Dogs: How to Help Teach Them to Respect One Another