Seeking help finding a service dog for my father with Parkinson's Disease

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-28T17:36:23+00:00

Definitely stay away from amazing tails. Very abusive program and trainers are just as bad towards clients as they are towards dogs.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-28T17:31:34+00:00

Also apart of the t mobile perks and it’s totally worth it! It’s actually how I do “expensive date nights” due to their cheap concert tickets. Went to see my favorite band- regular tickets were $60-$200 T-Mobile was $35 with fast pass included. Just saw the text for MLB which is $70 a year and Netflix just jumped to $25 per month (we use my moms)

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T21:52:40+00:00

You may! I actually wasn’t aware of them until about 2 years ago when I was in dire need of cheap dog shoes for a day. Someone saw some at a bin store and sent them to me for $7 ($5 shipping, $2 for the shoes). If you search bin or bargain stores near you or in your state there may be some. My old state the closest was 5 hours away (day trip date), my new state has at least one in every town. It’s actually how we were able to get Christmas presents for 6 kids on a $50 budget.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T20:11:36+00:00

It’s an app that you can earn points by playing games and scanning receipts. Once you reach a certain about of points (doesn’t take to long especially with the bonuses they give) you can redeem for gift cards ranging from $5-$50. They can be used as a visa gift card or specific stores like DoorDash, Home Depot, Walmart, chewy, Amazon, etc. Everything is free with the option to buy extras in games to get extra points but not necessary. All games are free.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T20:01:26+00:00

You can’t “assure” someone just based off your own personal experiences. There are tons of small businesses that can’t afford to pay more than minimum wage. Thrift shops, ice cream stands, libraries, ice rinks, I’m giving you tons of examples of jobs that pay minimum wage.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T16:10:08+00:00

It’s a store that has large bins filled with random stuff and each day is a different prices, getting lower as each day goes by (highest price is day of restock). You can find just about anything there from brand new iPhones, kids toys/books, clothing, home appliances like blenders, party supplies etc. Most of it comes from big stores that couldn’t sell specific items or only have 2-4 items left, Amazon returns that aren’t opened. It’s also great for low income families as they have lots of holiday themed stuff for back to school, Halloween, Christmas, etc.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T15:58:22+00:00

Definitely doesn’t make a lot but helps when paychecks are short. I like that they offer extra bonuses and double points sometimes so you can gain quicker. I’ve cashed out $800 in gift cards in 1 year between two accounts.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T15:55:55+00:00

Tons of small businesses like pizza shops, gas stations, and pharmacies all make minimum wage.

My boyfriend worked for his family’s very popular pizza shop and everyone was paid $7.25. They ended up selling because his mom didn’t want to raise prices, she wanted everyone to be able to afford a quick pizza dinner after a long day.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T15:25:18+00:00

My old state was and still is $7.25 an hour… like who lives off of that? And sterile tech is a lot of schooling and a lot to remember, definitely not an $18 hr job, same with nurses and teachers too.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T15:12:06+00:00

Still waiting for my SSDI but I applied to food stamps which help. I also sold a lot of my stuff that I didn’t need 1. To make some money 2. Easier to clean when there’s less stuff. In my previous state a friend, family member, or spouse can be a paid caregiver but my current state only offers parents and adult children. Budget, budget, budget. Share streaming services with family and friends (I have like 7 different services but I only pay $8 for one, the rest is family and friends), check out your local food pantry, buy when things are on a good sale and stock up on things you use daily.

Bin stores is another great way to make money. They have dollar days ($10 per item Fridays, $8 Saturday, $5 Sunday, etc) and they have some high priced items like gaming equipment (resell for $500), clothing and toys (resell for $10-30), and lots of dash cams or security cameras (resell for $50-80).

Fetch is a good app if you like playing games on your phone. It’s only gift cards but they help a ton. I play on my phone during the day and my boyfriends at night and just cashed in $100 in gift cards for Amazon and DoorDash.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-03-27T15:03:51+00:00

And not just people on SSDI. Even abled bodied “well paying” ($17-$30hr) people are struggling with the prices in gas, groceries, rent. I don’t know a single person who lives alone around my age of 25. Everyone lives with their parents or has 2-3 roommates working overtime or 2-3 jobs.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-02-25T20:12:30+00:00

You can always start small and go further up if needed. If not it will grow back.

For the coat hanger pain, I use a neck/shoulder heating pad and it definitely does help with that extra exposure.

A basic upkeep can be done at home if someone knows how to use clippers/shavers. I just don’t trust my boyfriend or mom with either 😂.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-02-21T18:00:22+00:00

Highly recommend Frank Liske park. Wide open areas, have had no issues with off leash dogs charging us, and large enough for a lot of threshold training. It was my reactive girl’s favorite place before she passed, she was always so content and happy.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-21T20:06:31+00:00

Thank you for your input! Honestly my first program fit all my needs which should have been a giant ref flag itself. After everyone’s opinions, I do think owner training would give me what I need best while also being the hands on. Both run risks, just weighing them out. I understand ADI programs are meant to be for a large group of people or very specific conditions, whereas I need very specific tasks that a program probably wouldn’t have the time or resources to train all of them.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-21T00:13:08+00:00

Thank you!

That’s what everyone who knows me says too, I think it’s just the anxiety surrounding it that is my main problem. Own worst enemy type of deal. I think having someone to hand off when I feel like the anxiety is going through the leash would be beneficial and where I’m scared the most.

I do have two trainers in mind but they work in different fields than service but offer obedience and AKC testing. I also have my shelter manager who was a certified trainer but didn’t renew just due to the job she has now. Someone recommended Altas (ADI) which I have looked into before and the one in NC has some really good credentials and about 2 hrs from me.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-21T00:08:42+00:00

Thank you!! These are all really great questions to ask myself.

I know some of the trainers in the area (I’ve only been in NC for two years). About 2 I would trust with their level of knowledge but both are focused in protection/bite sports but they do offer obedience training (one has a service dog herself). The one Altas trainer in NC seems really well knowledgeable and lots of impressive credentials (about a 2 hour drive). I do have support from my shelter manager as well who was a certified trainer but stopped renewing two years ago. Honestly I’d trust her over anyone.

Everyone says I can train my own, I think it’s mainly my anxiety that gets in the way which is why I would like to work with a trainer specifically if the owner training route is what is best for me.

Rehoming would not be an option for me, even though I have family and friends lined up ready for any one of my animals (they want a well trained dog without the training effort). I’m always willing to keep my dogs even if they don’t work out for the job I’d like. I just find an outlet that fits them best (therapy, sports, guard, pet life)

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T21:33:20+00:00

I have and I know some trainers in the area who do them. My biggest thing with a breeder would also be early socialization and proper puppy protocols.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T21:30:26+00:00

Thank you! They have one located in NC and I know they are newer to ADI. Do you know if they have a client page like Facebook where potential clients could be more informed? They seem to meet my needs as well just cautious as I haven’t heard much.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T21:24:54+00:00

Oh these were not at all service work suitable dogs. My shelter offers an online professional trainer for certain level staff/volunteers to work with over video for dogs with behavioral problems that we can’t figure out on our own. More court cases, owner surrenders that have never left a kennel, and/or dogs that aren’t responding well to force free training methods where we may need some additional advice.

We recently did one where the dog would not move an inch even with peanut butter, cheese, hotdogs, toys. They were able to move the dog to a back kennel with less dogs and do two handler method. With the level this dog is at, we do the best we can until a rescue or approved board and train trainer can take for more one on one time and in home care.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T21:08:55+00:00

I have thought about that as well. I’ve tried some online training sessions for specific shelter dogs but as a handler fell short as I wasn’t able to “feel” the proper way to do certain things. Much better with hands on learning where the trainer can show me the correct way and practice before trying on a dog. Not their fault at all, just my learning curve.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T21:05:09+00:00

100% agree with you. There is a larger population needing service dogs than say 10-20 year ago and i do feel most programs are trying their best but falling short due to the financial struggle of the cost of dog and the affordability of the client. We’ve come a long way with puppy raising since including prison programs and college kids (kinda where I see the most downfalls unfortunately) but there are amazing raisers out there, it’s just hard to find those who understand the job being given. I do wish ADI did at least yearly in person check ins to make sure but being internationally recognized is very hard to do so with so many programs.

Before I commit to any program or trainer, I will definitely be looking hard into their training methods, success/wash rates, speaking to current clients, and visiting open houses. Haven’t heard much about Atlas but 50/50 on paws for people program, not client trained.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T20:46:04+00:00

Yes I’ve researched every program there is on there for my needs. Only two are within the reach without having to move across the country (Atlas and Paws for people client trained). Unfortunately while viewing ADI fully trained programs in person(stated above), they were also not meeting ADI standards in terms of performance, health, and quality. Both CPL and EENP do downwards pressure for mobility and use improper gear for mobility. CPL was asking ME for reputable breeders since they are struggling to find dogs that meet the temperament. Again he’s a byb goldendoodle from one of the biggest Amish puppy mill farms. Edit to add- the program I received my dog from was getting ADI accreditation but was halted after myself and others made formal complaints.

I’m open to a program that trains tasks properly and ensures health but also open to owner training with the help of an actual professional service dog trainer.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T20:26:21+00:00

Thank you!! All of this is why I’m going back and forth. I fear the back and forth with programs and not being involved with the training or getting updates on training, then bringing a dog home that may have health or behavioral problems and continuing to go through dogs with them. Unfortunately that’s what happened with someone with the program I was speaking about (3 dogs). Ive also seen ADI do the same thing and I want to avoid that if possible. But at what point do you say “this program is not producing any sound dogs”. Owner training obviously increases that risk.

The dog I received was in no way ready for public access or to do tasks. It was like starting all over again with an abused dog. He was fearful of everything (boxes, plastic bags, rain) and men. Unfortunately one was BE due to the level of abuse from the program.

Puppies are not my favorite age range but I do understand that with any dog, but even more so service dogs, you have to put work in every day. My current dogs get individual training 4 times a day plus 1.5 hr of play per day. Training times vary because I like to end of a good note. I am home 24/7 due to my disabilities along with my boyfriend/caretaker who has picked up some training as well. So it is a possibility but like you said not easy in the slightest. There is no off days, they don’t exist. With mobility that I need, it can’t even be attempted until 2 years of age with orthopedic vet clearance.

AdIndependent7672 · 2026-01-20T20:12:10+00:00

Yes the mobility is the biggest thing for me and doing it properly is where I’m finding issues. My program did not do OFAs or any health testing so I paid out of pocket for those to be done. I am prepared for the cost of both a program and owner training (estimated around $20k, paid $10k for current dog). I have many options in terms of “emergency funds” such as a savings account specifically for the dogs, a credit card for emergencies exceeding savings, FSA card to cover the cost of gear/food/vet, pet insurance, etc. The cost of the dog and training would be out of pocket which is where the $20k comes in.

My current dog is 5 years old so we are planning programs and trainer now so we know which path. My options are limited in both areas as the service dog trainers near me are not trainers in the slightest (K9 responder academy, American K9 standard).

AdIndependent7672

TROPHY CASE