Jodipug Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Hi everyone! Long time dog owner, first time to the forums. My question is...does anyone have any experience with Mental Health Assistance Dogs? My daughter turned 17 today. She has an eating disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. For the past 3.5 years, she has suffered greatly, and the treatment for her is hard to find. She has not been able to go to school, in any format, for over 2 years. Each day is a massive struggle. We've been researching MH Assistance Dogs, and there are over 700 in Australia. They have access everywhere, much like a Seeing Eye Dog. They can be trained to do such things as; reminders for medication, grounding during panic attacks, calming through anxiety and depression, etc. We would like to purchase a puppy/young dog to be trained as an Assistance Dog. We're not sure on which breed would be best, so advice is very welcome. Ideally, we're looking for a small breed, hypoallergenic, easy to train, loyal, and loving. Thoughts, ideas, advice, experience? Please share. Thanks! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Welcome to DOL!! The place to start is by reading ALL the info at Mind Dog starting with the paper on how to select your assistance dog. Although I see that they are not accepting applications to qualify any dogs at the moment they should be back in action by spring this year, and it will take you at least that long to train your dog to be ready to pass the Assistance Dog Tests. This organisation is the biggest and best in this field in Australia, I would highly recommend that you follow all of their guidelines. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 Hey Jodi First time I have been back on the forum for a long time - nice to see you here. I would like to ask members to please help Jodi out - I have met her and her daughter and experienced her daughter have the most beautiful experience with my Husky Ronin whom some of you may know from posts here. Please help Jodi with breed recommendations and also breeders so she can add this to her knowledge base. Every bit of information, no matter how small will be greatly appreciated. I know that Jodi coming here and asking for advice is not something done lightly. It is heartbreaking to see and hear of the troubles, so again I ask people to help with this very important step. Jodi is a great dog-person so whatever dog that is chosen will have a wonderful life with this family. I am not sure if this thread should be in the general section to get more exposure - maybe a mod can help Jodi out there if there is a better spot. Cheers Jason 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodipug Posted May 4, 2017 Author Share Posted May 4, 2017 Thanks SO much! I've been in touch with Minddog already, and have been reading diligently. We're trying to get a pup now, so that he/she is ready (must be 6 months old and sterilised) to begin training with Minddog) to start. We also have a tricky situation, in that my daughter, Sienna, and the dog, will be moving between 3 homes on almost a daily rotation, as Sienna needs constant supervision. Again, any advice is welcome. Thanks! Jodi 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 (edited) I think I would try to choose a small sturdy breed with a bit of nice straight leg under it, and a 'normal' face ( not a short face brachycephalic like ShihTzu for example) breeds that spring to mind are Lowchen & miniature poodle. Edited May 4, 2017 by mingaling 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 So glad you are already aware! I need to ask you if the requirement for a hypoallergenic dog is due to an allergy that has been thoroughly tested? The allergy is to dog urine, saliva and dander (not hair). .All breeds have urine, saliva and dander to some extent. But some people are less reactive to a low shedding dog (hence the claims of hypoallergenic for breeds that have woolly rather then hairy coats). If the allergenic person reacts to some breeds and not others, that will obviously narrow your choice. so getting the allergic person tested is a great place to start. You might even discover the happy news that a small daily dose of an antihistamine will suppress all symptoms, as some have done after visiting a specialist. That would widen your field immensely! Any breed can, of course, qualify, but a breed that bonds very closely with their person (for example. most of the Spitz breeds - unfortunately they are not the easiest to train) would be very high on my list for such a task. Most Spitz breeds "blow" their coats - that is they shed very heavily twice a year and very little the rest of the time. The minus with a wooly coated breed is the need for clipping every six weeks - either a family member will need to learn to do this or your daughter will need to be separated from the dog for that regular appointment, which I feel is undesirable. Groomers don't normally permit the owner to stay while the dog is clipped as it distracts the dog. And if your daughter is the allergic one, a grooming salon is not a safe place for her. A mobile groomer might be the answer, except that your daughter's residence varies between three homes which could cause logistical problems if any of those homes are not in the mobile groomer's area. What all this rambling is trying to say is please reevaluate the need for a hypoallergenic breed as your search is so narrow at the moment that you might find yourself choosing a breed with a two or three year waiting list. If the testing has been done and it really is needed then you will be very lucky indeed to find a puppy from temperament tested parents in time for a spring testing. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuralPug Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 15 hours ago, Yonjuro said: I am not sure if this thread should be in the general section to get more exposure - maybe a mod can help Jodi out there if there is a better spot. Cheers Jason I didn't even notice until I read this! Yes, this thread belongs either in the training forum or in general. I have asked Troy to move it. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappi&Monty Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 (edited) 18 hours ago, Jodipug said: Hi everyone! Long time dog owner, first time to the forums. My question is...does anyone have any experience with Mental Health Assistance Dogs? My daughter turned 17 today. She has an eating disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. For the past 3.5 years, she has suffered greatly, and the treatment for her is hard to find. She has not been able to go to school, in any format, for over 2 years. Each day is a massive struggle. We've been researching MH Assistance Dogs, and there are over 700 in Australia. They have access everywhere, much like a Seeing Eye Dog. They can be trained to do such things as; reminders for medication, grounding during panic attacks, calming through anxiety and depression, etc. We would like to purchase a puppy/young dog to be trained as an Assistance Dog. We're not sure on which breed would be best, so advice is very welcome. Ideally, we're looking for a small breed, hypoallergenic, easy to train, loyal, and loving. Thoughts, ideas, advice, experience? Please share. Thanks! That would definitely be an amazing thing for your daughter to make her life a lot happier and easier with a furry friend to rely on. I would love to help but I don't know much about which breeds would be most suitable for assistance dogs sorry. As RP (I think) mentioned, is anyone allergic to dogs? (Or has breathing issues regarding dog hair or something?) If not, a lot of breeds would be suitable. Would she have an Emotional Support Animal (doesn't have public access rights like say guide dogs) or a full Assistance dog that can go anywhere? For an emotional support dog, most breeds would suit. Maybe consider reaching out to a few rescue organisations, they could perhaps suggest certain dogs that are in their care and need to be adopted which would be suitable, even for an assistance dog that would be a good idea too. If she needs an assistance dog to go out to the shops and to doctors appointments etc, the best breeds/types of dogs would depend on which tasks she needs the dog to do. Sorry I'm not too knowledgeable on borderline personality disorder so I don't know which symptoms or problems she would need help with in particular, but: Does she need a larger dog to help ground her and/or "protect"/block her if she has say a panic attack? Would she need the dog to help support her physically sometimes? (Like if she feels overwhelmed and needs to leave somewhere fast? I know some people with different mental health assistance dogs, their dog can support some of their weight while they briskly exit if they don't feel good and need to leave a shop or something.) Or would she prefer a small dog? So consider what kinds of tasks she would need it to do, and then find a breed that would be more physically able to do those jobs. Best of luck!! Edited May 5, 2017 by Scrappi&Monty 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 I am so pleased that people are making such great comments on this thread. I also agree with Ruralpug on the Spitz breeds. Sienna did have a beautiful bonding session with my boof-head husky, but such a breed would be a nightmare in most circumstances. Talking with Jodi I think a small breed is more of where she sees the best fit. I am sure she will inform you all if the size requirements change. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogsAndTheMob Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 It may be best to look for a young adult dog rather than a puppy and think in terms of the right dog instead of the right breed. Temperament varies in every breed and you can't know whether a dog will be suitable until it is mature. Also, puppies can pick up fears from the owner and the more responsive the puppy the greater the risk of this happening. It is probably worth considering longevity; As a rule of thumb, the smaller the breed of dog, the longer the average life expectancy. Miniature Schnauzers and Cairn Terriers may be worth considering. Although many miniature and toy poodles would be too sensitive, I have known individual poodles that would not be, and their intelligence would be a positive. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 15 hours ago, Yonjuro said: I am so pleased that people are making such great comments on this thread. Agree! Excellent advice from everyone in the thread. Specially about the facts around so-called hypoallergenic breeds. Severe allergy reaction to a dog, actually tells more about the high sensitivity of the person's immune system. Also I like how it's been pointed out there are different categories of 'helping' dogs, with different aims in what they bring to a person. I know that an accredited training organisation deals with different breeds for different tasks...like actual assistance duties or emotional/comfort support. So I agree with RP that best thing is to make contact with such an organisation in your own state. Best wishes finding what you need that will bring benefits to your daughter. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Not quite in line with size requirements but I heard of some amazing Labrador puppies who needed homes the other day. Well breed & (likely) suitable for this kind of thing. I know of another dog from this kennel who does diabetes alert work. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yonjuro Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 I think the hypoallergenic and age of the dog are requirements for the training for an Assistant dog by Mindogs ??? (not sure on that though) Dogs that come to mind to me are Westies Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mini Schnauzers ??? I will readily admit that I am not too familiar with all of the personality and physical traits of these dogs though. I feel that with whatever dog, it is important that Jodi find a good registered breeder with desirable temperament traits from the sire and dam as the primary goal. Most of us here know that registered breeder does not always mean a good and ethical breeder. I guess that reducing the likelihood of a problematic dog is also a desirable goal. I believe that temperament will far outweigh show worthy prospects. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal House Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 From what I know of Mind Dog, any dog can (potentially) be an accredited one, breed/coat/age etc doesn't come into it. I've seen German Shepherds, Labs, Kelpies, etc on the Mind Dog FB page, and a member on here had her own dog accredited by them, so it's possibly the OP preference for those requirements. Good Luck in your search, I'd also be looking at an adolescent or older dogs rather than puppies, as by the time the puppy is old enough to train, it's going to take a lot longer. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) Yes, to all Caz said above. Just for comparison (I know it's not your State) but below is Canine Helpers an accredited Qld training/placement organisation that follows new legislation in this State. They divide the dogs into Assistance Dogs that carry out physical tasks for people who need it... and Therapy Dogs which are the comfort/close companion dogs for those needing emotional & psychological support. They're good people... I know them because when a little adult tibetan spaniel comes up in rescue or in a shelter, they go assess it for suitability in the second category, a Therapy Dog. I've also seen a papillon among their Therapy Dogs. As they make individual matching with clients, maybe they make assessment & test allergy proneness of each client because that's the decider, the individual's level of immune sensitivity to a particular dog (it's not just fur as RP said, it's dander i.e. dead skin cells and saliva which all dogs have). http://www.caninehelpers.org.au Edited May 6, 2017 by mita 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbedWire Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 Can I second Yonjuro with a Cavalier KC Spaniel (or a cross) . They may be hard to get but my daughter has a cross and it is an amazing little dog, so gentle and so loving, totally devoted to her family. Her coat is easy to care for and so wonderfully soft and silky that stroking it might help calm your daughter. They are also small enough to be carried if that was what your daughter needed if she was seeking a quick exit from a threatening situation. It may be hard to find a healthy one though as they are prone to heart disease but a reliable breeder may have an adolescent one that is not doing well in the showring and may be ready for rehoming and would be happy to see it in a good home and safe from the puppy farmers. Personally I would stay away from terriers as they can be feisty with a prey drive. Some also like to bark, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 1 hour ago, mita said: Just for comparison (I know it's not your State) but below is Canine Helpers an accredited Qld training/placement organisation that follows new legislation in this State. They divide the dogs into Assistance Dogs that carry out physical tasks for people who need it... and Therapy Dogs which are the comfort/close companion dogs for those needing emotional & psychological support. Mita, psychiatric service dogs are not the same thing as therapy dogs. They carry out specific tasks. You may like to read more information about this on the minddog website. All the best with your daughter Jodipug. It CAN get better. Don't ever give up hope. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, Papillon Kisses said: Mita, psychiatric service dogs are not the same thing as therapy dogs. They carry out specific tasks. You may like to read more information about this on the minddog website. All the best with your daughter Jodipug. It CAN get better. Don't ever give up hope. PK, I followed the minddog link when it was first mentioned. But it said it was being updated & to 'come back later'. http://minddog.org.au I'm hoping they have a Facebook page. But I just found (by googling) A.W.A.R.E, an organisation that also mentions Mental Health Assistance Dogs & says the training is in specific tasks that a person might need (reminder to take meds is among them). http://www.awaredogs.org.au/our_services/ Edited May 6, 2017 by mita 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pjrt Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 (edited) https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/information/lowchen.asp Lowchen Edited May 6, 2017 by mingaling 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jodipug Posted May 6, 2017 Author Share Posted May 6, 2017 36 minutes ago, mingaling said: https://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/information/lowchen.asp Lowchen Great advice Ruralpug. The hypoallergenic train of thought is more on trying for a low-shedding breed, because of the multiple homes in use. We have a pug and a Pugalier, and don't care about the masses of fur around the house. Her other main Carer HATES fur and out of respect for her, we are hoping for a low-shed breed. From what I've read on Minddog.com, the biggest thing is the mother's temperament, so a puppy in WA, that we could 'meet' would be ideal 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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