My Nonprofit Reviews
Elisa O.
Review for Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. (TLCAD), Solana Beach, CA, USA
I was given a Chihuahua after I fell into a coma around 5 years ago. Because I had time on my hands and I needed to walk, I would take my new companion to the park and began to train him under the guidelines of the "Assistance Dogs International Public Access Test". The test is extensive but quite simple and as is mandatory, that he be able to perform 80-100% of the required commands stated in black and white on the test. He has also been assessed by a dog trainer in a public park and she was more terrified than he was,,,,it was very strange, but he passed the test??? He was a most important part of my recovery from 2 open heart surgery's (the second of which he spent time in hospital with me to serve as pain management), stents, visits to the ER, visits to various doctors etc. Neither my doctors or myself know what my future is so I live day to day. My service dog will be on alert if I take ill, he will lay on the part of my body and identify the illness, he gives me relief when there is no pain management (like in Garfield Hospital) yet Assistance Dogs International refuses to either train him because he is an OUTSIDE DOG or assess him under their guidelines? I am pointing this out because Assistance Dogs International make it impossible to get your dog accredited, that is why most people turn the "fake id's for EMOTIONAL and SUPPORT" animals. I have been legally been registered as Disabled by the Department of Social Security and my dog has been Designated as a Service Dog by the USDA which is a body of the Federal Government. So you ask why so many people are breaking the law, well here is your answer!!!!