The Balance support dog should be at least 40% of the person’s height.  A 6-foot tall man needs a 30” dog.  This puts stability at the person’s fingertips.  The dog should also weigh at least half the person’s weight.  By importing bloodlines, our dogs are not the tall popular show dogs but the sturdy working Dane.

Great Danes are well suited to home and office life.  The fact that Danes require less exercise than many breeds is a good fit for some people with disabilities.  Danes are content to have a few walks every day and then nap in the corner until their services are needed.   They would not dream of chasing a tennis ball.  If someone intended to climb mountains with their service dog, a Dane would not be for them.  Their perfect public persons makes them very conducive to help with the isolation and depression which often accompanies disabilities.  Their short coat is a blessing in the home or office but they require a jacket if they are going to be out for more than a few minutes in freezing weather.  We take retired danes back at the farm at about 10 to 11 years old.

The handle for the seeing eye dog serves to communicate directions, and is not used for support.  We have found that every inch of handle height decreases the stability for the person and increases the possibility of injury to the dog by the leverage action of the handle.   We have tried  dozens of different types of harnesses and find that in critical balance episodes, the clients prefer to slip their hands under the harness next to the dog’s shoulder ad avoid the handles entirely.  The longer the handle the more torque applied to the dog’s rib cage.  The most popular design at the moment is an adapted cow halter which by it’s figure 8 design provides support while enabling the dog to use his shoulders fully.  The massive $350 leather harness is impressive, but does not offer any more support than the $15 cloth harness.

Thus far...  We have donated 29 service dogs to adults with balance disorders.  All the puppies at the farm enjoy visits from “youth at risk” groups in job training, and the retired dogs work as therapy dogs in senior residences.

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My Husband Jim, pictured on the left with his service dog Homer, is a 6’4” Vietnam Veteran.  Jim and I are often approached in public and asked how a Dane is a service dog - then we explain what Homer does, and why.  Along the way I explain the needs of Jim’s symptoms.  Instead of a walker or wheelchair, Jim has Homer at his fingertips.  Homer has great “smile power” and lets people know Jim may need some extra space.  People are genuinely interested and thank us for explaining and sharing time and info.  Thank you Service Dog Project for making a difference in our lives...                           

                                                                                                                             A.N.  Woburn, MA