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10-03-2005, 12:54 PM | #1 |
BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oregon
Posts: 215
| Yorkies as Service Dogs/Therapy Dogs Hi: Someone expressed disbelief that Yorkies can have any value as service dogs, therapy dogs, etc., especially if they are tinies, or 3 pounds and under. It made me think of a woman I saw on "That's My Baby" on Animal Planet. I wish I could remember what breed, but she had a dog she used to drape over her neck for warmth and the weight. It brought her great relief from her symptoms (would also be nice if I could remember what her problem was) and she started breeding for other disabled folks for the same reason. I would think any person could see the benefit of a dog of any age, or size, or breed for people with emotional challenges, grief issues, loneliness, depression. But maybe I'm wrong. I thought this topic deserved it's own thread. Have you known Yorkies who provided some of these special services? CJ Last edited by Junebug; 10-03-2005 at 01:04 PM. |
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10-03-2005, 01:12 PM | #2 |
Got Mojo? Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Miami
Posts: 1,117
| totaly agree...even if there are not physical benefits you can bet there it so much more on the emotional and mental health!
__________________ Thati & Mojo |
10-03-2005, 01:20 PM | #3 |
BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Muscle Shoals
Posts: 361
| I've been following another thread, and I believe this is where the service dog idea came from. I think the person that posted actually questioned a 1.6lb dog being a service dog. Most of the time when we think about service dogs, they are for the deaf/blind and are of bigger sizes than 1.6lbs. (Can you imagine a 1.6lb being a seeing eye dog!?!) I think my yorkies are very therapeutic.... when I feel sad or depressed, all I need to feel better is a few wet kisses from them. (My son has a chihuahua for his asthma, and whether it has been proven medically or not, Callie has helped his condition. She only weighs 9 ounces though and I would DARE not take her out in public where she would be exposed to sickness/diseases from people wanting to handle her) I think Yorkies CAN be used for services such as depression, anxiety, lonliness, etc..... |
10-03-2005, 01:28 PM | #4 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 723
| I cannot think of a sweeter dog to be a service dog. |
10-03-2005, 01:28 PM | #5 | |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | Quote:
I do think a small breed can be a service dog but I do have to wonder about a 1.6 pound yorkie that would need FAR more attention and care than an average yorkie. A yorkie that small is much more susceptible to illness and can truly have health problems - I would be leery even taking one that small out in public for fear of it coming to harm or getting sick. the one I REFERRED to has an open fontanal - and is as of now selling for an outrageous price. My comment was a joke saying that a dog that size would need a service dog for himself - it was a joke. I totally agree that yorkies and most breeds are totally beneficial to those with disabilities - but the thread I posted in wasn't one of those times - and to start a debate over that is just silly. | |
10-03-2005, 01:44 PM | #6 | |
YT 6000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: CA
Posts: 6,588
| Quote:
__________________ Mommy to Coco and Rocco | |
10-03-2005, 01:46 PM | #7 | |
BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Muscle Shoals
Posts: 361
| Quote:
Villette.. I agree with you... it is unthinkable for a 1.6# dog to be a "service" dog in the way that most people view them. I actually laughed at you suggesting the yorkie needing a service dog itself. (funny -- but true) My chi has an extremely large open fontanel and I cringe just taking her outside the house when going to her vet's. My son has been taught how to care for her and even though she is "HIS" dog, he does not hold her unless he is sitting down or supervised. The other thread was getting waaay too out of hand... lol | |
10-03-2005, 02:05 PM | #8 | |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | Quote:
just for the record. Emotional and theraputic benefits were NOT what I was referring to when I made that comment... and Yorkiegold...I see where you were trying to go with this ...targeting that ONE comment sure sounds like a thread just begging for Drama ...and you won't find it with me....as I said - I was joking. | |
10-03-2005, 02:20 PM | #9 |
BANNED! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Oregon
Posts: 215
| I think maybe it would be useful to expand our definition of "service" or "therapy" dogs. They are not all wearing a harness and leading the blind. They are used to help kids learn to read, for instance. In the latest "The Yorkshire Terrier" magazine there was a very moving article about a tiny Yorkie named Thumbelina who sits on children's laps while they read. She was born with paralyzed hind legs and has to drag them around. I'm not so sure I would've been able to cope with that and would have put her down, but she found someone who was able to devote themselves to her and has turned her disability into a tool for helping others. There are many Yorkies doing many kinds of service work. It is not something to joke or laugh about unless you do it at their expense. It is very difficult to understand how the life of a disabled person can be impacted by a tiny presence such as this if you've never been there yourself. Instead of being informed and educated by the information, far better to use it as material for a new joke for your own amusement. I'm embarrassed to be a part of this group today. The bullying and piling on has been terrible. CJ |
10-03-2005, 02:25 PM | #10 |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | Are you SERIOUS ? I saw your origional post ...it was edited due to the mean nature of the words you used....name calling is taking things a bit too far for a YORKIE site. I don't see anyone else doing that ....to me THAT is something to be embarrassed about. |
10-03-2005, 02:26 PM | #11 |
BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Muscle Shoals
Posts: 361
| WHOA!?!?! Who has been bullied? If you feel I have done any bullying or stepped out of line, PM me please and let me clear it up. There is NOTHING funny about handicapped people and I can't think of any jokes that were made about such. What was said was that most of the time, when people think of service dogs, they DO tend to picture harnesses and a blind or deaf person. For example...... my son plays on a travel baseball team. When we go out of town, there are hotels that do not allow dogs unless they are "service" dogs. They would laugh at me if I were to tell the front desk clerk that I had to have my dog with me or I got lonely and depressed without her. I am proud to be a part of this group -- I have learned so much and made a lot of friends --- don't regret being a part of something just because someone hurt your feelings or said something you don't agree with. Like I said, if it was a comment of mine, let me know. |
10-03-2005, 02:27 PM | #12 | |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | Quote:
As far as disabled people. I am now married to someone disabled. I have a VERY good idea what that's about unfortunately. | |
10-03-2005, 02:31 PM | #13 |
BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Muscle Shoals
Posts: 361
| C'mon people... this thread started when a lady was selling a dog for 8500.00, remember?????? We should all not be afraid to voice our opinions on certain topics for fear someone is going to "jump" on us.... and if someone says something offensive, we should be adult enough to apologize (doesn't mean we have to agree with that person) I apologized for thinking that dog needed a bath and looked stinky.... doesn't mean I don't still THINK that.. lol... but I apologized for saying it! --- and we should also be mature enough not to be so sensative that if a person says something you don't agree with, that you are embarrassed to belong to YT. Let's just get along, eh????? (NOT TAKING ANYONE'S SIDE...... I JUST HATE TO SEE PEOPLE LET SOMETHING SO SMALL TURN INTO SOMETHING SO BIG) |
10-03-2005, 02:33 PM | #14 | |
Donating YT 14K Club Member | Quote:
__________________ As always...JMO (Just My Opinion) Kimberley | |
10-03-2005, 02:40 PM | #15 | |
Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member | Quote:
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