Welcome to the Walking Cane-9s Service Dog Support Group.

Discussion emphasis is on practical coping skills, training issues and the human/service animal bond. Off topic subjects are technical ADA issues. The list tone is good friends sitting around the fireside discussing issues with their service animal snoozing at their side.

New members are required to submit an intro that will be used to introduce and welcome new members to the group at large. The blank in the application is not enough.

List Topics include:

1. Problems encountered while training large service dogs. Advice to prevent problems. Solutions to problems. Group brainstorming and, if all else fails, commiseration.
2. Optimal biomechanics of the assistance animal to help support the human without injury to the animal as well as human biomechanics to not injure the assistance animal.
3. The dog's ability to carry loads while providing assistance.
4. Development and enhancement of healthier lifestyles. We want to know how you and your dog are doing. We also want to share methods for breaking the pattern of increasing isolation as mobility decreases.
5. Training methods to teach the service animal to be unobtrusive so the large dog does not to cause fear or a scene when out in public. Training methods to help the large service dog to cope with being the center of attention and assisting the person with disabilities to teach the public not to interfere with the service dog.
6. Encouraging self help by suggesting training resources, equipment and materials. Equipment issues such as the features of specific products, services, or websites related to the Balance Dog.
7. Exercise and fitness for the animal including strength training, massage, nutrition, mental fitness, preparation, disability assistance training injury management.