FAQs

What breeds of dogs make good Service Dogs?

The short answer is Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. There are exceptions of course. Dogs from the Working group are easy to train but tend to be protective. Field dogs tend to more interested in their environment than people. Small dogs can't pick up large objects or pull wheelchairs. Large dogs are hard to put under a table in a restaurant or out of the way on a bus or plane. A good Service Dog is not protective, is people oriented, is not overly active, and is confident but not dominant or submissive. Service dogs should not require complex grooming.

Why shouldn't an Assistance Dog be protective?

An Assistance Dog's job is to enable a disabled individual to be more able, not to protect them. The dog's presence is a natural deterrent. Because disabled people take their Assistance Dogs into public places and many are not able to physically restrain their dogs, the Assistance Dog must be safe for the public. Many dogs, especially working breeds, will sense their owner's disability and their vulnerability. These dogs can learn on their own to protect at inappropriate times. This can be compounded by an individual who doesn't recognize that they are unconsciously encouraging this behavior.

What is the demand for Service Dogs?

No exact answer can be determined. It is a known fact that there are not enough service dogs produced each year to meet the need.

I think it would be cool to be able to take my dog out in public. How do I do this?

Remember that no dog has access rights - only people have access rights. In most states only 3 groups of people are legally allowed to take trained dogs out in public:
a) people with disabilities partnered with assistance dogs
b) professional trainers of assistance dogs for people with disabilities
c) civil service providers on the job, such as police, fire and customs inspectors.
No one in these three groups is legally allowed to take their "pet" or "pet therapy" dogs out in public.

Can you recommend any books on assistance dogs and people with disabilities?

Here a just a few of the books available:

Teamwork I & II by Top Dog in Tucson, Arizona

Partners in Independence by Ed and Toni Eames

Lend Me an Ear by Martha Hoffman

Moving Violations: War Zones, Wheelchairs and Declarations of Independence by John Hockenberry

Life on Wheels: For the Active Wheelchair User by Gary Karp

Planet of the Blind by Stephen Kuusisto

Waist-High in the World: Life Among the Non-Disabled by Nancy Mairs

Chelsea: The Story of a Signal Dog by Paul Ogden

What is the difference between a for-profit and a non-profit organization?

A for-profit organization is funded by the fees it charges its clients. A non-profit may also charge a fee for service, but services are usually provided to clients at a rate much lower than the actual cost of the service. Non-profits rely on grants and donations to cover the balance of their operating costs. These donations are tax-deductible to the donor. Heroes does not charge a fee to the recipient. We do ask for assistance in fundraising if the recipient and their family is able and comfortable with doing so.