What Are The Best Service Dog Breeds For Seniors?

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1. 

   Becky says: June 6, 2021
   

   Hello,
   My sd passed in February 2020. Though she was very small she was mighty in 💗. She was my migraine alert dog and also alerted my husband differently by licking him. We discovered she was letting him know when his blood levels were off. Grace a female maltese can be seen on Facebook to educate those who don’t think a small cute dog can have a significant purpose in life or help those over 50 w medical issues. I’m having great trouble though trying to afford another. I had only heard last year that as a licensed assistance dog I could have received between $2000-$3000 a year to assist me with her care but I don’t know the name of the organization. She passed all her public access tests and the shelter in California gave me her tag which said assistance dog on it w her permanent I’d # she had all her life. I carry it with me always. Please. Anyone who can help me afford a new puppy to train with love, kindness, respect for her in the most nurturing was possible-could you please contact me as soon as you can? My pain has once again increased and my husband misses the living relationship we had for her. Now in Nevada is seems the prices have skyrocketed dramatically. People want a cute puppy they can shove into their purse but what about those on a strict fixed income? One must raise an sd as young as possible and shelters often have so many abused animals. I know. We adopted a dog who had epilepsy in the 80s. She was a wonderful medium sized dog and we loved her for 12 years+ plus but we had an active family then. My husband and I were in our early 30s. Then I developed painful migraines after 1992. I prayed for there to be a way to stop them. While looking for a sheltie one day a pet store was out. As I was leaving my gut instincts said that’s the one. I turned around and saw the tiniest puppy I’d ever seen. I saw the price and I fled but a week later i was back with half the money it took me an entire year to save. They called the owner who said bbn i had enough. An hour later I was holding her and I didn’t have a clue why only that I trusted my instincts. I taught her not to bark before she was one because that’s a migraine trigger. Before age 2 she began gesturing in a new way and by the 3rd day I knew Grace knew before my pain came when I could do something about it to stop it from coming. A friend in a sd group invited me in. Though I didn’t have the issues the group had they gave me valuable information and encouraged me to get her licensed due to her size. It was 2007 then and I suppose the laws are much less lax as I see dirty old dogs in shopping carts at the store! But Grace was bathed once a week. Groomed every 2 months. I never dragged her anywhere. She came w me to my doctor’s appointments and he was amazed at my marked improvement. In my family we’ve always said thank you to all our dogs and bedtime was no exception. Now and then I’d wake to feel her laying on my chest. This is how she alerted me in my sleep. It was her way of saying, “Mom your pain is coming. ” I’d take my rx. Hug her and say Thank you Grace. Mommy loves you and you’re a very good girl. I also kissed her and she’d lay back near my toes and go to sleep. By Grace doing this o never once woke up with a migraine hangover. These things can last for weeks and weeks. I simply don’t know what to do. While she did all this by her nature and easy going way I know I cam train a dog to do things too. It’s simply that I don’t have 4grand to plop down. I only paid $900 for her and in 2005 this is a lode of cash for a 13 week old ten ounce puppy. We moved here because California became too expensive for us to stay. Food is still expensive but we all have medical costs to pay and the health insurance here pails to what we got in So Calif. I miss it. I might be able to drive back to Orange county alone if I found another puppy. My husband now disabled more than I wouldn’t be able to travel though. Or Arizona? Idk.🤷‍♀️
   I’ve dealt with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since I was only a 13 year old little girl. Pregnancy caused me to develop Fibromyalgia around age 37. I was in bed for 16 years as my children grew up without me. They’re now all grown. No one diagnosed me. I studied diseases for a year and found only one sight that mentioned it and my dog Grace was by my side. My migraine dr concurred w my findings but said there was nothing which could be done but with the love of Grace I triumphed and got out of bed in 2013!! My husband had always been supportive and the glow in his face said it all. Since Grace passed he can no longer walk and his health has declined. Doctors here are still running tests on both of us. With degenerative disc disease in my lower back and 3 crushed discs pushed up in the back of my neck making it bend I find myself in the roll of caregiver in our ever slowing lives and a new dog wou look d bring us so much joy. I’ve heard of toy shelties at Fox Point Farms in Nevada but it’s 8 hours away and that means staying in a hotel over night but I don’t think he could endure the trip. They’re more active though. While we’ve both had shelties in our lives we were active kids then too. A smaller maltese puppy is simply what I know has worked for us both in our late 60s. He’s 69. This is not a made up story by anyone. It’s my story and I own it. I have Dream Catchers by Cherokee West on fb and every cent I make goes towards saving for another maltese medical dog for us. While many of you may be skeptical that’s your right. We both owe our lives to Grace. We only ask for the chance to bring another dog similar in size into our home to help us medically and spiritually as well. She was a pleasure to love and care for. It’s rare for these dogs to be in service. Yet there are several accounts from people praising the maltese for their dedication to their owners. Were just a couple of old folks trying to get by like everyone else. Thanks

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