I searched google a few years ago about assistant dogs because I thought I need one of them, but I got nowhere.
Today I saw a demonstration of an assistant dog at work, it brought me to tears because it showed me just how much I do need one, how good , helpful it would be.
I really think it would make such a difference to living with fibromyalgia
It was absolutely amazing seeing all the dog done.
The partnership that was demonstrating the dog was specifically supplying dogs for people with chronic pain disabilities.
Then she told me the price, which also brought me to tears.
£30.000 😢
I worked out if I saved up my PIP every month to get one it would take me 6+ years, omg I might be dead by then.
The only worry's I have if I did get one is barking and dog walking.
Barking because of my hyperacusis.
Dog walking because I can't walk anywhere.
How would you pick up their poop too when crouching and bending is an issue.
The lady did say about barking that they will be trained to be quiet dogs and matched to the needs of each person.
Has anyone here got an assistant dog? Is there anywhere cheaper to get one?
List below taken from their website
Some of the disabilities and conditions we work with are:
Multiple sclerosis
Cerebral palsy
Spinal injuries and head injuries
Stroke
Osteoarthritis and scoliosis
Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Friedrich’s ataxia
Fibromyalgia
Muscular dystrophy
Spina bifida
Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones)
Written by
saxcat
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
one of our regional coordinators has just received her second assistance dog. She was planning to write an article about how it helps her. If you email head.office@fmauk.org then we may be able to put you in touch with Jenny.
hi Assistant dog is something I've thought about myself, I have severe hearing loss/tinnitus,I have Fybromyalgia Osteoarthritis and other issues I'm truly shocked, at the cost, I don't think I would ever be able to afford that, wishing you luck 💜🦋
Whilst the charity provides our assistance dogs free of charge the charity still own the dog. However we are not in a position of cover the costs during the dog's life. Once an assistance dog has qualified the recipient of the dog will be responsible for the purchase of a number of items that the dog will need and the costs associated with having a dog. The approximate cost per year is £1,551.68.
Ive just read their whole website, they are based in Northern Ireland.
But After reading their website esp the page about their dogs I think they may be partners of canine partners (who are based in Scotland, Im in Scotland) because word for word the description page of their dogs is exactly the same, and they have same colour jackets.
It says their waiting list is closed.
It also says the disability dogs
are for Families of Children who are full-time wheelchair users and are under the age of 12 year old. Even though the funding under this programme is up to the age of 12 years old, our cut-off age is 10 years old, as it takes 16-18 months to train a Disability Assistance Dog.
I'm waiting to hear from Someone desquinn told me to contact who has an assistance dog.
Have a look at WKD dogs - primarily for exceptionally well trained family dogs but apparently they are open to finding and training dogs for specific purposes. Obviously a private enterprise but cheaper than other prices quoted. Wish you luck in your quest.
My current dog opens and closes windows and doors, gets the washing out and puts it in the dryer for me and constantly picks up everything I manage to drop which in itself is a full time job for her. She’s quirky but I love her.
I bred dogs for nearly 40 years. I used to compete and judge and train before it all got too much for me. The dog I have now was bred by me in my last ever litter. There was something about her from day one and I knew she needed a job to do and was not a suitable "pet" dog in that a normal pet home wouldn't stimulate her enough. She didn't need training she just instinctively knew from a puppy what she needed to do to help me. Just by encouraging the behaviours she was exhibiting turned her into a fantastic dog for me. I'm well known locally and nobody ever minds letting her accompany me wherever I am going.
Hey I have a dog I trained myself called Ben, you can see him at assistancedogtoolkit on Facebook. There is nothing he cannot do, totally looks after himself and me, my meds my bags my clothes my shopping my mail, even teaches himself new stuff.. I'm very worried about what will happen when he's gone, we have been together 8 years and he has saved my life many many times ❤️
What I've read about training your own dog was that it wouldn't be registered/recognised as an assistant dog and you wouldn't get the jacket, which without it they say you couldn't take the dog in to lots of shops/places.
I don't think I would manage the intensive years of training needed to get the dog at the standard of the dog I saw demonstrated the other day
I used to work as an animal trainer. And this far north Scotland there are No trainers, if you can train your dog you should, and there are no official register of assistance dogs in the UK, as you can see Ben wears a vest and we legally have full access. Read up on it more, it will only work if you are capable of training the dog. I don't know any other dogs that do more than 100 tasks, he is invaluable
There is no register or certification process for assistance dogs in the UK. Whilst all assistance dogs trained by members of ADUK are issued an ADUK Identification Booklet, not all assistance dog owners have papers or ID, nor do they require ID by law. That's from Google. I have studied assistance dog law so I do know. Ben does have a vest and booklet n cards issued by a train your own dog organisation. However if somebody tells you they are legally required they are lying to you. And many people just want your money Read up on UK assistance dogs and the equality act.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Clever dog
Mobility aidsHI
New member seeking advice!
New here
Terrified of 2nd DLA appeal in 3 weeks time.
