Intro from BigLenny
My name is BigLenny and I am BigT’s service dog. I am a Golden Retriever and the reason behind the BigGoldenBear discount code available for use now during check-out at www.onetigris.com
Read why I am so special!
Well first things first, I am a service dog and that makes me special. As a service dog I get to go everywhere my hooman partner goes so I can help if I am needed.
When I was just eight weeks old I went to a special puppy-raiser’s home. My puppy-raiser taught me manners and obedience. I was socialized in lots of interesting places where I learned to ignore other people and concentrate on behaving correctly. I stayed with my puppy-raiser until I was old enough to go to “Puppy College,” which the hoomans call Advanced Training.
In Advanced Training I learned to do special things to help the partner I had not even met yet. I learned to pick things up/return them to my partner. I learned to open/close doors, and turn lights on/off. I learned to get things off high shelves, put my feet on a counter with money in my mouth in case my partner needs help paying for purchases, and I even learned to pull a wheelchair in case I would ever be needed to do that. I learned the names of some important things, like "phone". All my partner has to say to me is, “BigLenny, get the phone,” and I run and come back with the phone in my mouth.
When I was really good at all those skills, I met my partner BigT who then had to learn how to command me to accomplish such tasks. BigT had to learn to be my leader, and I had to learn to do what I was told by another person. It was hard work to go through team training together, but we did it. Now we are a real team and go everywhere together.
Service Dog Etiquette
Regularly when people see service dogs with their partners, they are immediately drawn to admire and even pet the service dogs. However well intentioned, it is important to be aware of some of the rules surrounding working dogs. People with workings dogs generally enjoy engaging with those drawn to their canine partners. Just remember to observe the tips below, and enjoy your interaction with the TEAM! These are just tips. Each organization, group, etc. has their own set of rules or etiquette, but virtually all can be associated with the tips below.
Disability Etiquette
I know I am handsome and pretty wonderful! I mean people are always telling me, and I know little kids who like the Disney Lion King often think I am a lion and run up to pet, hug and even try to ride me. There are also some kids and adults with my summer cut that think I look like a bear and again run up and want to touch and pet me. Being the celebrity I am I know BigT would never say anything, but I feel it is only my duty to say a little more about etiquette in regards to my man, BigT, and other handsome service animals out there.
There are a large number of sources offering in depth information on disability etiquette including the American Disability Act of 1990 which among others gives service animals the right to accompany their handler. Refusal to provide equal access to people with disabilities with service animals is a federal civil rights violation.
In Summary
By the time BigT became my forever person I had learned over 80 commands! I will work with BigT until my retirement age between 8–10 years old. At that point I become a pet, but I will also have a very important role as BigT gets paired with his next service dog. Once BigT brings his new service dog home I will act as a sort of mentor, something that I did not have, and something that will give BigT’s new service dog a big advantage getting up to speed with the learning curve.
I hope you all enjoyed and maybe even learned something. Remember: A service dog is as vital to a person with disabilities as a wheelchair or cane, and do not forget you can use the discount code BigGoldenBear at checkout on www.onetigris.com to gear up on all of the wonderful tactical gear OneTigris has to offer Hoomans and Dawgs!!!
Service Dog Etiquette Recap
All the best,
Lennon aka BigLenny!!!
Credit: BigT, OneTigris LiFE Ambassador