Pet day

[karenmbloom]

Here is my service dog. Nikki is a black lab and with me everywhere I go. This pix doesn't show her best...just being a happy dog.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

I love it karenmbloom ! I have a black lab also💕

[jimeka]

Karen black labs are so trusting. Nikki looks gorgeous. How old is she? Blessings Jimeka

[karenmbloom in reply to jimeka]

She is four, five in July. I have had for 2.5 years. She was trained at adai.org in toldeo until she was two. I then had to attend a two week school to become her handler/partner. 80 commands! She is a blessing and allows me to be confident out and about - and is so helpful. Now I'm the lady w/the dog...andnot the lady in a wheelchair!

[jimeka in reply to karenmbloom]

Brilliant, I like it, but dog is God backwards, so no wonder we have such loving, dependent relationships with them, blessings Jimeka

[ddeadred in reply to karenmbloom]

JEALOUS...

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

Ms. Nikki is beautiful. So glad you too gave each other.

[karenmbloom in reply to CalfeeChick]

She is a blessing in my life

[Eleyne92]

She's a beautiful dog.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Awwww l love that saying karenmbloom "the lady with the dog" 💕 You are so much more than the other!

60 commands? Holy cow!🐮 Although my dog knows some sign language. So l do have to give him some credit, and he has own back pack for walks😁

Is Nikki a full breed, or part horse (mix breed) like mine?

Jes🌠

ps. I don't know if you know this or not but..... ~Helpful Hint~ If put an @ in front of the person who your addressing, they will be notified. IE @ jesmcd2 *With No Spaces*

[karenmbloom in reply to Jesmcd2]

@jesmcd2 I didn't know that. let me know if I did it right!! Nikki picks up everything i drop, can open and close doors where my footplates are in the way, pulls up blankets, tugs off a sleeve or socks....oh my sotin much more. But she also got me out of the house as I walk (or stroll) her 1-2 miles a day. So fortunate my neighborhood has wheelchair friendly corners. She is a black lab but no papers. She is small for a lab - under 70 lbs. Which seems huge to me until I see her next to a bigger dog!

[ddeadred]

SHE IS A BEAUTY!!! I want a service dog!!! (unlike the strictly lounge lizard pupz I do have...LOL) Love me some PUPZ!!! xo Cj

[karenmbloom in reply to ddeadred]

I miss my lap dog - he went to the rainbow bridge this fall. But Nikki is joy on four legs ddeadred

[ddeadred in reply to karenmbloom]

My little Schnauzer crossed that bridge 4 years ago, and I still say, "And the raccoon. PP's nemesis!" every day when I put my stuffed raccoon on my bed... Yep, she will ALWAYS live in my HEART!!! xo Cj (pronounced See jay)

[joys-an21]

I would so love to have a service/companion dog. And I think I would need a large dog. I'm 5'9" and about 200 lbs, and my balance has gone south. I'm not ready for a wheelchair, but can't walk much either. Would you mind terribly explaining the procedures for getting one? The only place I have contacted wanted everything plus me shoe size, AND a $500 nonrefundable "down payment". Is this about what they all ask for/charge? I would have to pay for one out of pocket and couldn't afford any mistakes. If I am out of line in asking this, please accept my apology. Your dog is beautiful and I know she is a blessing to you.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to joys-an21]

Hi joys-an21 MSAA actually had an article about service dogs and informative on how to go about getting one.

mymsaa.org/publications/mot...

Also if you type up in the search for service dogs, and read through, there is more info on it ☺

Jes🌠

[joys-an21 in reply to Jesmcd2]

Thank you, Jes. I appreciate it.

[karenmbloom in reply to joys-an21]

joys-an21 No charge except equipment and 2 week hotel stay while in school to learn how to use her. The article below is a great source. I only know of a place in Ohio.

[Pbailz in reply to karenmbloom]

This is exactly theinformation I needed. I've been looking into this for the last month but finally gave up thinking I could not afford it...Thank you karenmbloom

[joys-an21 in reply to karenmbloom]

Thank you, karenmbloom. I appreciate it. I had given up on the hope of ever getting one. With the one place I contacted, it sounded like it was going to be tens of thousands of dollars, plus require me to renovate my home, etc. That was so far out of my reach as to almost be laughable. Besides, it would take a minimum of three years to even get to the two week training phase. I've given some thought to getting a puppy from a good lab blood line and having a reputable trainer train it for me. What I really need now is one that could walk beside me and help me up if I fall. While I understand fully that it expensive to raise and train a dog for three years, I think I could get one trained for my needs in less time and for much less cost. Any thoughts? Thank you so much.

[Lakiee]

Beautiful and service dogs are so trained to meet your every need.

Love ❤️

Lakiee