Service newfs for visually impaired

[teahcrew]

ok..I am not going to jump to major conclusions YET...but I just went on a regular eye exam yesterday to get new prescription glasses...

you need to know I have had 11 laser surgeries on my eyes for retinal detachments over the last decade, and have check ups every six months, the last one being a month ago and was told the retinas are in good shape...

so I thought my blurred vision and warped words when I read were just a sign of normal aging...and went to get my eyes examined

while she is checking my eyes she says "something is not right" and does more tests

(same EXACT scenario happened when I discovered my retinas were detaching!)

and she discovers my right eye is especially bad for this corneal dystrophy (or something like that...) and wants me to go to the Cleveland Clinic and says people like me get on lists for corneal transplants...

well now...

but I talk to my visually impaired case manager at BVR and she says I can go locally first to get a seconn opinion and that if I need surgery, maybe I wont need transplants but

looking ahead...are their newf service dogs?

 

[pabusinesswoman]

Don't know about the newf service dogs.. as intelligent as they are.. I would think you could teach them. We have a local group.. don't know the OH ones.. but you could probably Email them and ask about a Newf for therapy. They normally use retrievers. Their website is: http://www.keystonehumanservices.org/ssd/ssd.php

For the 2nd opinion..since your in OH...it is a little bit of a hike.. but you could probably take the train in if your interested. Penn State Hershey Medical Center here in PA has an excellent eye clinic. From what I have heard, several of the doctors are known nation wide. Several have been referenced to Dr. Neely for retinas from FL to Maine. Their Cornea specialist is Dr. Liang... again.. there was a little personality thing there at first.. but he was top notch when it came to his surgeries and answering any questions we threw at him. Believe me I threw some questions.

Hubby had a knife slip at work that went into his right eye. It punctured his eye about 6 o clock and went up across the pupil. He had a retina detatchment and has had to have 2 cornea transplants. He has had to have 6 surgeries over the last year and a half. He just went back to work FT this Monday.

They actually saved the eye. He still does have an area of vision off of the lower right. He did loose his central line of vision due to scar tissue.

 

[victoria1140]

there was an interesting post recently where a newf was used as a service dog for someone who suffered panic attacks and had problems with crossing the road. All a matter of training

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

There is someone on Newf-l that had a newf as a service dog for visual impairment. The dog was NOT a seeing adog though. That has since passed and she is training another newf for a service for her self.

 

[KodysGrandma]

I would think they could be trained but it might be difficult to find someone who did. Hope things go well and it is not necessary.

 

[Baloo]

Being somewhat biased, I think they would make wonderful service dogs. But on the practical side, I can't help but think their size may be limiting for Seeing Eye as they might have to navigate some small areas in stores and offices.

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

Being somewhat biased, I think they would make wonderful service dogs. But on the practical side, I can't help but think their size may be limiting for Seeing Eye as they might have to navigate some small areas in stores and offices.

Teahcrew was specifically asking about training for a seeing impaired. There are several Newfs that have been and are used as service dogs. NewfTide has a spread about them a few years ago. There were several at the natioanla last week.

 

[Tricia2]

Off Topic but.........

Is that Story in your avatar?.......she's gorgeous. She looks great for a senior girl!

 

[teahcrew]

Is that Story in your avatar?.......she's gorgeous. She looks great for a senior girl!

yes Ma'am thats my old girl, Story! I just posted some photos under the photo thread too. I finally figured out how to work my old digital camera...more pictures to follow once the rain clears up!

 

[sara722003]

I've often wondered about how well these dogs would do in service. They take an incredible amount of brushing to keep their coats mat-free, and how would a sight impaired person be able to keep up with that? They aren't for people who aren't 100% focused on their dog....and many disabled people would be, but I still wonder about folks who can't keep them brushed regularly. My nephew had a lab assigned to him (in a wheelchair w/ spina bifida. Beau was the best dog...lived with Benj for 10 years until he died last year, and was Benj's heart and soul.) But I've wondered how well the Newf breed would fare for this as well. Interested in comments.

Sara in KC

 

[Yogi & Cordelia's Erin]

Just a quick note...
Cornea transplantation is a non-vascular transplant procedure and while there are risks it does not carry all the risks of other more major organs.
Corneas can also be used in a larger variety of donors (meaning the cause of death doesn't have to be as specific).
I believe ... cornea transplantation is the most common form of transplantation in the United States and also is the most successful in terms of non-rejection rates etc. I know there aren't nearly as many matching-up type markers.
Check out www.lifebanc.org ... it's the major organ company in NE Ohio.
You cannot go wrong with the Cleveland Clinic. I cannot rave enough about them. The physicians are tops in the country if not the world.
Their billing department leaves some to be desired .... but the medical care there is outstanding.

I can't answer the stuff about service work. I know it's possible, but I don't know if anyone's done it.

 

[teahcrew]

thanks to every one who replied and offered advice, encouragement and support. I dont know what comes next but because of what I am going thru I thought about newfs being service dogs. I know that Story would feel very displaced if I became dependent on another dog...so for her sake, let alone my sake, I hope this wont become a necessity...

 

[CMDRTED]

My SIL has Assistance Dog(s). There are Newf Service Dogs. She works with one particular place in Kansas and they have trained Newfs as Service Dogs. I can get you the information if you want.

 

[R Taft]

I have had some involvement with Guide Dogs Australia, I used to look after young dogs..........And have some good friends there. they have told me in the past that they would not choose newfs, because of their size. They love their character and intelligence. But because guide dogs in Australia are allowed everywhere, including bathrooms, change cubicles,taxi's, planes and other small places they prefer the smaller labradors.

 

[BLCOLE]

ok..I am not going to jump to major conclusions YET...but I just went on a regular eye exam yesterday to get new prescription glasses...

looking ahead...are their newf service dogs?

For all intents and purposes, BOTH of my Newfs have been service dogs. I have bilateral Meniere's, which affects my inner ears. I am 50 percent deaf in both ears and have balance problems. The Newfs have always warned me when someone has been at the door, a phone has rung or a smoke detector has gone off. Their size also makes them great for balance.

BOTH Newfs had deaf previous owners, so they just naturally made allowances for me.

 

[vikinggirl]

Thora is my service newf. I'm a paraplegic, and yes, it is difficult to keep her groomed perfectly 100% of the time, but I have help from my husband and a friend who provides direct care. The grooming is really only an issue when the dust buffalos clog the casters on my wheelchair. She is also totally owner trained and I've had her since she was 8 weeks old.

Great things about service newfies:
*They learn FAST. Take all the intelligence of a newfie and apply it to work for you, and that's a good thing.
*They care a lot about their people.
*They will think for themselves rather than blindly following your lead all the time- while this is not always great, especially in a pet, I would rather have Thora be able to think for herself. It's important that she be able to identify when a situation is not quite right, because sometimes her insticts are better than mine (example- she will not let me push my chair into a place or near people she feels are dangerous)
*Their bigger size is sometimes an asset over smaller, more traditional service dogs, depending on your needs

Things to think about:
*Newfies get hot in warm weather, and if you rely on this dog 100% of the time, you will need to think ahead about how to keep the newfie cool while living your life 4-6 months out of the year.
*You may think that it's great to have your dog with you all the time, everywhere you go. But keep in mind that the dog will be with you ALL the time EVERYWHERE you go. Even with the best trained dog, it's still like being leashed to a particularly furry toddler sometimes. The most perfectly trained dog still has an off day- how will that affect you? Are you going to be able to handle the occasional off behavior- especially in a breed that can be just a tad stubborn and noncompliant sometimes?
*Small areas can be navigated, most stores have people willing to help and I'm sure that it's easier when you don't also have a wheelchair involved. However, I've learned that some places are just HARD to have a newfie with you. If you don't mind not dining in quaint (tiny) cafes, no problem. You will have to re-work your life around the needs of the dog as well as your own disability.
*People WILL pet your dog. It doesn't matter if the dog is harnessed, with neon tags saying "don't pet, working dog" and an alarm to sound if anyone so much as lays a hand on her furry little head. It will happen. Constantly. While you're not paying attention, most likely. A well trained dog will ignore this behavior and not seek it out, but the general public is not well trained. If this is something that will bother you, you may want to reconsider a service dog, especially a large, cuddly looking one.
*To go along with that, you will be pressed into conversation with every random stranger on the planet. If you're ok with politely excusing yourself and carrying on with life, you'll probably be ok. However, get used to questions, because most people are accustomed to seeing golden retrievers, labs, and german shepards. Newfs get a lot of attention, double that if you happen to have a Landseer.

With all that in mind, I love Thora as my service dog. She makes my life infinately better every day she's in it. Obviously your needs will be different from mine, and training a seeing eye dog will be vastly different from training a service animal. There are places available that will help you train your own assistance dog. One of the things I found most important was having a breeder that knew what I was looking for and helped me choose the right dog for me. Every newfie owner has to trust their breeder, but I think it's even more important when you're choosing an assistance dog. It's not just a matter of having a healthy pet, you're essentially putting your safety into your newfie's fuzzy paws.

 

[Tricia2]

For all intents and purposes, BOTH of my Newfs have been service dogs. I have bilateral Meniere's, which affects my inner ears. I am 50 percent deaf in both ears and have balance problems. The Newfs have always warned me when someone has been at the door, a phone has rung or a smoke detector has gone off. Their size also makes them great for balance.

BOTH Newfs had deaf previous owners, so they just naturally made allowances for me.

Oh my!!! We have something to talk about!!! We're in the same boat. I have only 30% mid-tone residual hearing. My GSD is my hearing service dog but Lulu is alerting to my vertigo spells before me and standing by me for support. I'll be training her as a "Balance Partner" as soon as she's old enough to go into a harness. Luckily, I'm little so a small dog (lol) like this should be ideal.

 

[teahcrew]

yes please! I would love some information

My SIL has Assistance Dog(s). There are Newf Service Dogs. She works with one particular place in Kansas and they have trained Newfs as Service Dogs. I can get you the information if you want.

 

[teahcrew]

Dear Viking Girl...I am so glad you wrote in and told me all of that. If I do need a service dog, I cant imagine not having a newf be it. I am ok with size and navigation issues, dont care that they would be with me 24/7, and am a talker so people addressing me would be ok because I get that now (she is a landseer!) I would be leery of people touching my dog..I have always been very guarded about my dogs...

I didnt think grooming would be a problem> I cant stoop to groom her nor can I get her in a bathtub to bath her. Thats why the young walker boy grooms her for me and why she goes to a groomer for a bath and shave.

I am so glad to hear from someone who has actually had a newf as a service dog..thank you!

Thora is my service newf. I'm a paraplegic, and yes, it is difficult to keep her groomed perfectly 100% of the time, but I have help from my husband and a friend who provides direct care. The grooming is really only an issue when the dust buffalos clog the casters on my wheelchair. She is also totally owner trained and I've had her since she was 8 weeks old.

 

[CMDRTED]

yes please! I would love some information

I will PM you her information.