Potty training typically starts when the dog is a puppy, but many of these tips can be applied to adult dogs as well. When it comes to puppies, what they put in their mouth comes out the other way quickly, so they need to be taken out often. (more…)

September was a whirlwind of exciting activities for Guardian Angels!

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A diabetic alert dog is a type of medical service dog that has been trained to respond to scent samples that are then transferred to actually alert the recipients of low or high blood sugar levels.

At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we have a low number and a high number that we collect swabs from the recipient and train the dog to hit on.

Do Diabetic Alert Dogs Really Work?

Yes, their extensive training greatly helps a recipient because a lot of times, people can have a severe sugar dip in the middle of the night that can cause them to go into a coma. Everyone else in the household is asleep, and the recipient, of course, doesn’t realize they are going into it either, so the medical service dog can alert to it at critical times so the recipient can take their medication.

They work just as well as someone who has to wear a box or alarm that goes off when their blood sugar is low. Someone who is hard of hearing or asleep may not hear that alarm, but the dog will continue to persist. Not only does the dog hit on the number it is asked to, we usually expect them to hit 90% of the time, but we typically see them hit 100% of the time.

It’s really vital to the work that the dogs do. There are a lot of things that dogs can do that medical technology can not duplicate. They do, of course, have different tests to test your blood sugar, but the dogs will hit on it every time.

How Expensive is a Diabetic Alert Dog?

It depends on who you are going through to get a dog. It’s important to keep in mind that there is a big difference between just having an alert dog and having a service dog. An alert dog is a service dog, but there is more to it than just training them to hit on the scents. They also have to be trained for all the things that happen in public and all the required etiquette of a service dog in public.

These are dogs that not only work at home, but they also need to function in public and have all the manners that are required for the service dog in public. You can go to someone to get a dog. If you go to a trainer, they may be able to train scent skills, but you need to know whether they know the law and can train for the other elements of a service dog. It’s not just the task; it’s a whole entire lifestyle that the dogs learn.

You also have non-profit organizations like Guardian Angels that teach the dog scent skills as well as everything the recipients need to know about having a service dog, such as how to make sure it is properly responding, practicing regularly, and different things that we teach the recipients to keep that dog sharp.

As a non-profit, we donate our dogs. They cost us about $40,000 from start to finish, and we also do a lifetime of follow-ups to ensure the dog is working properly and intervene if there are any behavioral issues. In contrast, a trainer or another organization or individual may not offer the same services.

Can I Train My Dog to Be a Diabetic Alert Dog?

By federal law, individuals are allowed to train their own dog as a diabetic alert dog, but you have to consider the experience the trainer or individual has. We don’t recommend it because most people do not have the skill to be able to train dogs at a high level as we do. Even regular dog trainers do not do what our organization does. Even if they can train the dog to alert to the scent, you have to consider whether they know about the laws and their rights, merchant rights, and proper etiquette in public.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Diabetic Alert Dog?

It depends on the waiting list. There are about 61 million people in the U.S. who have disabilities, with a fairly high number of them having diabetes since it is a common disability. There are not many service dogs organizations or service dogs being trained. We’ve seen numbers of around 1500-2000 service dogs a year trained and out in the working system. When compared to 61 million people with disabilities, you’ll find that many organizations have waiting lists anywhere from 2-10 years long.

Want to Learn More About Medical Service Dogs? Contact us Today!

At Guardian Angels, we are happy to serve as a resource for information on different types of medical service dogs and medical conditions that qualify for a service dog. Please contact us with any questions you may have.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022 – Harry Funk for Trib Live

Source: Mutt Strut: Pittsburgh event benefits group that provides service dogs to veterans

 

“After a two-year hiatus, Pittsburgh’s Community Mutt Strut returned for an in-person day of fun for four-legged friends and their people pals, all for a good cause. The event, held virtually during the covid-19 pandemic, benefits Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Inc., a Florida-based nonprofit that rescues, raises and trains canines to provide military veterans with essential companionship. “We’re here to add awareness to what our veterans are facing,” Plum resident Bill Jeffcoat said. “These veterans are coming home with visible and invisible disabilities: post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury, insulin dependence, seizure disorders, mobility issues.” He is president of Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans, a Pittsburgh-area organization formed seven years ago to support Guardian Angels’ mission. “These dogs allow these veterans to become a part of society. They’re able to go out, become employed and be part of the community once again.” Among those attending the Sept. 10 festivities was Carol Borden, founder and chief executive officer of Guardian Angels, which has its headquarters in Williston, Fla. “What a perfect day to hold the Mutt Strut, as this is National Suicide Prevention Day. And that is what we do,” she said. A major impetus behind her organization is helping to reduce the number of veterans who take their own lives, with the statistic that 22 per day often cited. “Our suicide rate still stands at zero,” Borden said about Guardian Angels’ pairings, which have been taking place for 12 years.

The Mutt Strut’s major sponsor has been PNC Financial Services Group Inc.  “We do a lot of things at PNC that we’re really proud of throughout the year, but for me, this is right at the top,” Gregory Jordan, executive vice president, general counsel and chief administrative officer, said. “It’s so direct. It’s so powerful, and I think it’s so meaningful.” Since 2016, PNC has raised enough money on Guardian Angels’ behalf to provide the financial resources to train nearly three dozen canines, according to Jordan. “You can say 35 dogs,” he said. “But when I hear that, I think 35 lives.”

The dogs’ training focuses on mitigating the challenges of veterans facing post-traumatic stress disorder, and the canines also learn to sense medical emergencies, such as internal bleeding. “These dogs become life-saving,” Jeffcoat said. His organization, which was founded by Vietnam-era veterans Tony Accamando and George D’Angelo in 2015, is working on fundraising to build a Guardian Angels campus in Robinson Township, Washington County. The estimate is that the new facility will double the capability for training dogs. Jeffcoat is another Vietnam veteran, serving with the U.S. Marine Corps as a dog handler. Although the military valued dogs as scouts and trackers, most were euthanized overseas rather than being returned to the United States, including Jeffcoat’s partner, Fraulein.

On a positive note, Mutt Strut 2022 exceeded its fundraising goal of $300,000, drawing supporters and dog lovers from all over the region. Traveling from her Hampton home, for example, was Emily Murphy. “For the past few years, we haven’t been able to participate because of the pandemic. But it’s nice to be back and show support for the organization,” she said about Guardian Angels. Representing Unleashed Doggie Daycare in West Deer, she brought Farrow, a therapy dog who visits establishments such as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities to provide comfort and support to residents. Many others visited with their dogs to enjoy activities including the main event, with many of the pooches in costume as they paraded along a path near Frick Park’s Lawn Bowling Greens. “The dogs are the heroes. They are amazing. But all of you are heroes, as well, because you’re here supporting this event, having a great time, bringing your own dogs out for fun,” Borden said prior to the parade. “So let’s have fun.”

For more information, visit www.medicalservicedogs.org and www.padogsforvets.org.

Harry Funk is a Tribune-Review news editor. You can contact Harry at hfunk@triblive.com.

Thanks to Erica Francis and Fox2 Detroit for sharing our program! Thanks also to our Michigan Regional Coordinator, Mary Lamparter; Veteran & Guardian Angels Staff Member, Nancy Dakin and to Recipient Matt and his Service Dog, Cobalt for sharing their incredible story.

If you believe that a service dog could assist you, learn more about the process here.

If you would like to donate, to help us continue training service dogs for those in need, click here.

United States Army Captain John Kelly (Ret.) was paired with his service dog Ranger in August 2016. “I am a husband, father, veteran, paratrooper, and I’m lucky to be alive,” said John. (more…)

Mary Jo Brandt joined Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs as a volunteer in 2011, a Board Member in 2012, and accepted a position as Chief Operating Officer full-time in 2016. She has been instrumental in implementing and overseeing many policies and initiatives throughout her time with Guardian Angels. (more…)

As summer draws to an end, the fun at Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is just beginning! The Community Mutt Strut, a free virtual and in-person event, is coming to Pittsburgh in person on September 10th and will also be held virtually from September 7th-10th. (more…)

At Guardian Angels, we teach the dog to walk nicely on the leash by first teaching them to be attentive to us. There is no collar or leash involved in the beginning. We use a yummy soft treat to reward them for their good behavior. It’s important to avoid crunchy treats because they take too long for the dog to chew, and by the time they finish them, they’ve forgotten what they were being rewarded for. (more…)

At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we rescue, raise, train, donate and pair service dogs for individuals who have permanent disabilities. A disability is defined by law as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.

Service dogs can be trained to alert to seizures, manage the symptoms of PTSD, assist with mobility, diabetic alerts, seizures, and so much more. With their obedient and intelligent natures, dogs can assist their recipient with a wide range of tasks tailored to the needs of their recipient through our extensive training.

What Do Service Dogs Do?

All of our service dogs are custom trained to meet the needs of their recipient. They can assist with a large range of tasks, including but not limited to:

  • Retrieving dropped items, assisting with balance, opening/closing doors or drawers, turning on/off lights, hitting door or elevator buttons, etc.
  • Redirecting and calming the recipient during anxiety/panic attacks, night terrors or flashbacks.
  • Alerting in advance to seizures
  • Alerting to diabetic changes
  • And more

Each recipient is evaluated by our team, and the service dog receives special training specifically tailored to mitigate the challenges of the recipient’s disability.

How Do You Qualify for a Service Dog Through Guardian Angels?

First, you must be cognitively, physically, and financially capable of going through our 10-day pairing process and be solely responsible for the care and handling of your service dog for the future of your relationship. Our dogs require certain communication, exercise, and care, which are all important elements of a successful relationship between the service dog and the recipient. The recipient is expected to be 50% of the team’s success.

If someone is not cognitively capable of going through our training or does not have the physical capabilities to provide the dog with all his/her care, handling and playtime, a service dog may not be the right answer. This does not necessarily exclude people with brain injuries or those who use a wheelchair from getting a service dog. We review each case individually and determine their level of ability to care for and work with their service dog.

Secondly, we have expectations of the individual to provide the service dog with the premium diet and medical care we require. We also expect them to be able to provide their service dog with toys and anything else he/she would require. The recipient must have the expendable income to care for their service dog.

Once we get beyond these variables and the individual has qualified on these points, we will evaluate them to make sure they are in a stable living environment. Our recipients cannot, for example, be homeless. They must have a stable housing situation that is conducive to them providing the proper environment for their service dog. Additionally, recipients must be free of addiction issues.

If the recipient is a single individual, they cannot have other dogs in the home. However, if the recipient is in a family situation, we may make allowances for other dogs in the home. This is because the recipient’s sole responsibility should be to care for their service dog while the family cares for the other pets in the home.

The Process of Pairing the Dog with the Individual

At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we know our dogs very well after training them for 1 1/2 to 2 years. We understand their level of drive, whether they would cohabitate well with other dogs or cats, whether they are more laid back or high energy, etc. We consider these factors about each service dog while we get to know our potential recipients. We learn about the recipient’s job, family situation, activity level, hobbies, and more to help ensure that we pair them with a service dog that best matches their lifestyle and needs. These factors all play a role in which service dog we choose to mitigate the issues for that individual. We go through a variety of variables to figure out what dog will be most suitable for the recipient before we do the final training.

Want to Learn More About Applying for A Service Dog? Contact us Today!

If you have any questions about qualifying for a service, please contact our team today or visit our website, go to the Applications tab and then go to Service Dog Application for more information.

Service dogs, medical service dogs, and assistance dogs are all names for the same thing. They are the only type of dog that is protected by federal law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

This protection means that service dogs are permitted in any place that the public is permitted, such as grocery stores, malls, movie theaters, hotels, etc. They are protected by federal law because they are much like a piece of medical equipment with a heartbeat.

They do not fall under any pet regulations, such as a pet fee for a hotel room, since they are in no way considered a pet.

What are Service Dogs Trained to Do?

Service dogs are trained to perform a wide array of tasks that are then used to help mitigate the challenges that are presented by a disability to an individual.

Many individuals that we work with at Guardian Angels have been self-isolated at home or have caregivers, so they are unable to independently enjoy major life functions.

Service dogs can be trained for:

Diabetic Alert Dog

The dog is trained to alert the recipient if their sugar levels are too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia). When the service dog alerts the recipient, the recipient knows to test their blood and take their medication accordingly to adjust their blood sugar levels. The dog can also be trained to alert other people in the home or set off an alarm in the event that the recipient needs medical attention.

Mobility Assistance Dog

Service dogs can be trained to help people with disabilities perform daily tasks such as picking up dropped items, opening/closing doors, turning on/off lights, pressing automatic door or elevator buttons and performing an array of other activities. A mobility assistance dog is commonly paired with a recipient who has a condition such as, but not limited to, a spinal cord injury, brain injury, arthritis, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy. They can be trained to brace their recipients who have balance issues, and some specialize in assisting people in wheelchairs.

Seizure Alert Dog

Service dogs can be trained to assist recipients before, during, and after a seizure. They are trained to alert the recipient before they have a seizure and can help the recipient during the seizure by protecting their head from injury, and they help after a seizure by helping the individual to reacclimate and feel secure.

PTSD Service Dog

Service dogs can be trained to alert their recipient in advance if they are going to have a nightmare, a flashback, a panic attack, etc. They are specifically scent trained to help individuals who have conditions such as post-traumatic stress (PTSD), anxiety, depression, etc. These service dogs help their recipient go out in public again while serving as a physical barrier between their recipient and strangers entering their personal space. Additionally, PTSD service dogs are not only trained in shielding, but also to redirect and ground their recipient from anxiety/panic attacks, flashbacks, and waking them from impending nightmares.

Service dogs have a highly sophisticated sense of smell that allows them to alert in advance helping their recipients function in a safer, more normal manner. Depending on the situation, they can also be trained to go find a family member in the household or push a monitored help button if necessary.

The medical service dogs we train here at Guardian Angels go through no less than 1,500 hours of service dog training over the course of a year and a half to two years. Our extensive training includes, but is not limited to desensitization, basic and advanced commands, public access training, and socialization.

Want to Learn More About Service Dogs? We’re Here to Help!

At Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about service dogs and how they are trained. Feel free to contact us today to learn more!

Jody said his life before Nick was a wreck. With his medical conditions, high blood pressure, that unmedicated could top over 300 (would have to have an arterial catheter to read his blood pressure), volatile blood sugars (way high, way low swings), having survived adrenal cancer, and surviving a very rare heart syndrome called Wolfe Parkinson White Syndrome.

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Tasha served in the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps and performed Military Funeral Honors. After her service in the military, Tasha was paired with Blaney to help her with PTS.

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At Guardian Angels, while our Veterinary Care Department has always done a fabulous job taking care of our dogs and paired teams, we have now taken it to the next level. We are excited to introduce the Borden Veterinary Hospital located on our campus in Williston, FL. This on-site, non-profit hospital will oversee the care and provide for all medical needs of our dogs on campus. It will also provide oversight and guidance to all our teams across the country, as well as one-on-one care for our local teams for any of their medical needs. (more…)

Dr. Rogers joined the Guardian Angels’ team in May of 2022 as their veterinarian, and she is excited to be part of the many upcoming ideas and projects that Guardian Angels is developing. (more…)

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