From forearm crutches to balance dog...good idea?

[mingodingo]

Hi all,

I'm currently considering applying for a program balance dog.  I have a congenital disability, because of which I am short-statured, wear a prosthesis on one leg, and have weakness in both legs.  I use two forearm crutches for mobility, and a scooter for longer distances.

I'm curious as to whether anyone here who uses crutches has experienced balance assist from a service dog?  I guess I'm struggling with how balance assist from a dog would be preferable to that from crutches.  I'm very interested in pairing with a service dog, but only want to do that if that relationship would be more beneficial than my crutches alone have been.  However, I'm assuming that most people who work with balance dogs used crutches or canes before the dog, which makes me think that a dog does provide superior balance support in some ways?

Also, I know that a balance dog can perform other tasks (pick up dropped items, push elevator buttons, etc.).  I guess I'm asking specifically about the helpfulness of the balance support task (again, as compared with crutches or other mobility assists).

Hope this makes sense.  Thanks!

[Gretl2009]

I used a cane prior to my service dog.  One of the main reasons that I began looking into a service dog was because of the lack of control I felt over the cane.  It never felt all that stable to me.  I have weakness in one leg due to atrophy, arthritis in that leg, as well as in my hip and back.  I use my dog for balance.  I also use her for retrieval, so that I am not putting strain on my already messed up joints, and since I drop things quite often due to arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands, that skill is invaluable to me.  I use her to push elevator buttons, the buttons on handicap doors, etc.  She can turn off and on light switches when I am in my scooter.  I also use her to carry items when I need her to.  She also helps with laundry (pulling things out of the dryer). 

I hope this answers some of your questions. 

[Roxie]

Frankly, I think it will all depend on your posture in general, and your posture as you ambulate, and your ambulation style/methods/requirements. You should talk to your physical therapist.  How much weight will you be putting on the dog? Like the same amount from using fore-arm crutches.

I don't think a balance dog will help you with distances. That would be dependent on your endurance.  But maybe you could gain more endurance with PT.

I will not use a cane. I woudn't when I was blind (just rebeliousness and denial). I won't now, unless a 65 pound+ cane that would anchor me down so I don't tip over, and pull me a tad forward as I go up many stairs.

Even if you decide a SD won't work for your mobility needs, one might still be valuable for you anyway! It can reach stuff and pick things up for you while you still use your crutches and scooter. It can also  carry things for you and go get stuff you want or need. Another is it can help you with balance while transferring from seat to seat, or sitting down or getting up to standing.

Roxie

[Kirsten]

I second Roxie's concerns about how much weight will be put on the dog.  They shouldn't carry any more than 30% of their own body weight, and that only if they are conditioned to do it.   Overloading is unkind in general and leads to excessive wear and tear of the dog's body which in turn leads to early retirement, and disability for the dog in old age.  I don't think dogs are really a substitute for crutches.  They can be very helpful with wobbliness and occasional mis-steps, but not as actual support for walking.

However, as you already observed, this isn't all that a service dog could do for you.  Not having to bend over to pick up keys or a quarter you drop on the floor because a much appreciated blessing very quickly.  Help transferring into and out of a chair or bed can be a big help too.  Opening and closing doors when you're in your scooter.  Operating buttons when you can't reach them, such as elevator buttons, automatic door buttons, and light switches.  Picking up items off the bottom shelf at grocery stores.

There are safety issues too.  One time I skidded down an ice covered driveway, sideways, and when the wheels of my chair hit the lip of the drive it flipped, tossing me into the street and traffic.  I couldn't reach my chair, right it, or get back into it by myself.  This was before I got a service dog, but it sure would have been good to have someone help me rise to my feet, drag my chair back to me, or help me drag myself out of the street.  Eventually a passerby helped, but that was after several just walked past ignoring me.  Fortunately I'm not in a wheelchair anymore.

[state_of_nowhere]

The program evaluating you will be able to help you figure out how you will best benefit from the skills. I wanted to add that I have a friend who was barely able to walk with forearm crutches and then she got a mobility service dog. The momentum the dog provides her is enough to get her walking upright and she can even take some steps independently. This is something doctors told her she'd never do.

[Rovingrebel]

The key in using a balance dog is the person's  ability to bear weight (their own weight). If you need something to literally hold you up all the time and support your weight, that is more than any dog can or should bare. If cannot bear weight it would impossible to make the adjustments to move with the dog.