Open letter to Ed, and Leerburg staff.

I am posting this letter, because you get so many emails, and others here could expound on this request better than I. My experience with your products and web board have been so positive in DIY training my Service Dog.

I was wondering if you could produce a DVD that is geared specifically to teaching our dogs Stability functions for walking, stairs, phone fetching, Alerting, Wheel Chair pulling, etc. Currently I am at a loss on how I will teach phone fetching. Hence my request and following thoughts.

Many Veterans are coming home and could use a dog for these functions. Dogs are being used in Military Hospitals, and for Veterans all over the world to improve morale and provide assistance. There are just not enough of dogs to go around. The applications are long, and the wait longer from these organizations. Doing it yourself has additional benefits that are better than just having a dog handed to you.

There are plenty of amputees, injured, and Veterans like me that end up being categorized as unemployable for the rest of our lives. A lot of us still can function fairly well, but cannot work an income earning job. Of course the VA takes care of us fairly well, but some never adjust. Or those that could be employed if they had a dog. Granted, DIY is not for everyone.

If you take it even further and had an online courses from soup to nuts that used a combination of DVDs and online video/chat, web board, that could be tailored to specific disabled needs. Students could upload their dogs improvements, even providing a graduation for the dog and student.

Training costs can be reimbursed from the Veterans Administration, through Voc Rehab benefits or Service dog benefits for purchasing, training, and Veterinarian bills. Bottom line is that there is money out there for this type of program and a growing need. I am not talking about a non-profit or volunteer program. Some may even become Dog Trainers.

With the DVDs and your web forum, I am Doing It Myself. Your DVDs and your web board have been invaluable to me. Thank you for providing them. If I can do it, others could. I think the benefits are not only ending up with a trained dog, but the training itself helps the Veteran to go back out into the world of people that are not trying to kill you. Things on the side of the road are no longer IEDs. The dog gets you out into public, creates a conversation starter, etc. I know guys that could use a program like this.

Going through the training from pup to working dog has changed my life. I don't have a working dog yet, but I will. I am no longer a couch potato, my head is in a better place, and I have a great friend that I an talk to, that doesn't talk back about "things". Things you never tell anyone. He goes with me, wherever I go, and loves me unconditionally.

Until I was advised to get a dog from my VA doctor, I was just sitting at home all day in my easy chair pumped up on pain meds with physical disabilities and the mental baggage that goes with it. Working with my pup has changed my life 200%. I am getting in better physical shape, have a purpose in my, etc. I am not alone all day, while my wife is at work, and children are in school.

In just 4 months, my life is dramatically different, and so is my family's. I cannot put it into words, but, I know you know what I am talking about. I didn't want to wait for a dog so I went out and got one to do it myself. I did the research and found your site beforehand. I had some experience training regular obedience in GSDs. Your site has helped me immensely.

I hope you consider this for the future. I see you are growing into web technology. You have a great niche product line, and you could expand it to specifically help the disabled. People like me, Veteran or not. It doesn't just have to be about Police Dogs, Schutz, etc. Thanks in advance, and thank you to all the people on this board for helping me; now and in the future.

Ken, I'm speaking just from my observations of Leerburg, but Ed has always been about more than Police canines and SchH, he was one of the first ( if not the first ) of the dog video film companies to offer videos of the various Ring sports, etc.
And his videos about how to have your dog behave around horses also speaks to the Leerburg range of titles and interests.

I for one would love to see canine helper dogs get some filming, but it would take the a combination of not only a skilled video recorder and editor, but a trainer for disability dogs that would be not only a good trainer, but also show well on camera - and that's harder than most of us think it is...

I would like to see that too. In the meantime, Leerburg does sell Clicker Train Your Own Assistance Dog

It isn't produced by Leerburg, but I've heard it's pretty good. I haven't seen it myself, but it's certainly on my wish list.

The VA is poised to make some rather signifigant changes in their service dog policies. The VA is (IMHO) seriously underestimating the service dog needs of Vets at only 600 current and another 100 per year additionally. They are planning a three year study on the scientific basis of mental health service dogs (PTSD TBI).

Service dog policy proposal

Funding for service dogs could dry up as this small item in the federal register slips along under the radar.

Edited by Red Thomas (07/24/2011 02:14 PM)
Edit reason: foolishly forgot the link

Sadly, my experience with the VA as both an employee and patient does not give me confidence in their ability to do *anything* correctly.

Will, I have had pretty much, excellent care I have to say. Better than the military and some private care I have experienced for sure. The budget doesn't mean diddly, cause your benefits are guaranteed. The voc rehab program pays for all kinds of education. There are specific service dog benefits that they have to pay. All you need is your Doctor's consult for a dog. He doesn't care about budget.

I think it is going to become a much bigger business. The doc told me to get a dog....The VA doesn't provide it directly, but they do pay for it. My dog cost, veterinarian bills, and training is covered. I am waiting to see if they pay for the videos right now. I have to pay for all food, snacks, toys, etc. Usually you go through a non-profit and have a dog assigned, but that takes too long. So here I am...

Thanks for the heads up on Clicker Train Your Own Assistance Dog. Anybody got it? ... mod note ... Please respond via PM.



Edited by Connie Sutherland (07/24/2011 05:19 PM)
Edit reason: mod note added