This was written by Rick Phelps- Rick Phelps Sam, is for assistance. He will go with me everywhere I go. With this disease, Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease the patient has the feeling of constant fear, being alone, anxiety, and stress just to name a few. I take the dogs we have now for daily walks, but just around the block. I always keep our house in view. Afraid someday I will not be able to find my way back. I don't think this would happen, then I see on TV all the time where a Alzheimer Patient has wondered off. Sam will see that this never happens. He is trained in 18 stages. From tracking, to passive protection, to sensing when I am getting stressed or anxiety is setting in. He can get me home by a simple command, from anywhere. He will be a certified "Service Dog" meaning he will have access with me into every store, restaurant, Doctor's Office, or Mall for example. These dogs are highly trained and highly intelligent. But best of all, they are a pet as well. Sam will love attention from the Grandkids, play with other dogs, he will for all intents and purposes seem like any other German Shepard. We are so blessed and thankful to the donors who made this all possible...
How wonderful! I can see how a service dog would be of benefit. Only problem I see is if the AD patient won't "obey" and let him guide him home. So many have said when the Lo wandered off, they couldn't get him to go back home and had to call 911. But it's bound to be of benefit to many.
yes in earlier stages this would be of great benefit and serve as companion as well. its good news. but like vickie says i had trouble getting cooperation from DH to get back to house or out of cars. i dont know how a dog would do this. coaxing is a must.
Just think though, the dog would stay with his person and its ID pack could easily be equipped with a tracking device--something many LOs won't cooperate with.
I think the operative phrase as relates to to my DW is " by simple commmand " DW is incapable of recognizing the fact she is lost, and no longer has the verbal capability to command to dog. I found that the introduction of a companion pet has been a welcome addition. Rocky, our cat, loves to play with a feathered toy which can keep DW occupied some days for an hour or more leaving them both ready for a nap
Dogs are being trained to look out for and work with Autistic children now. Woudn't surprise me to see them trained to accompany and keep track of people with dementia.
Lloyd used to run off and in the beginning I would go and try to drag him back home. Finally I gave up and started taking him for a short walk that would end up back at home. One of the smartest things I ever learned. Now he hasn't the strength to run off and we installed a double key deadbolt so he can't get out anymore. A service dog would be of no use since he really cannot talk much anymore. Of course I suppose training could be customized for the specific disability. Ok, I'll take one!
My husband was diagnosed about 2 years ago with dementia.....his speech is totally erratic but he manages to take care of himself...only recently was he told he cannot drive (very sore subject)....He accidently backed over our little dog that we had for 16 years last year and that totally devastated him. Question : I am thinking about getting him another dog next March so that it will give him something to do especially the 3 days that I work. What type of dog is best? Don't want too small because at our age...if we trip over it...we would both have to have surgery...don't want too big...take over the house....any breed better than other breeds especially for dementia patients.
Hulamama51, When my DH was diagnosed in 2010 at stage 4, we got a Goldendoodle puppy. DH always had dogs in his life and i thought the dog would provide companionship and give him a purpose. It didn't turn out as I hoped it would. DH never bonded with the dog, never trained him, didn't pay much attention to him, didn't want to walk him. In short, we got a puppy and all of the care and training fell on my shoulders (as well as dealing with EOAD, all household responsibilities and my full time high pressure job). Update to today: my DH is in early stage 6 and now either ignores the dog or is too rough with him, making the poor thing (and me) stressed. Today my daughter took the dog to live with her.
I agree that dogs can be great companions, but you have to be willing to shoulder ALL responsibility for them if your DH won't participate.
I deleted my April post. I had linked to the website for DogWish, which was the organization Rick Phelps had worked with for his dog. It turns out the dog was not properly trained, the trainer gave bad advice, etc. The man runnning that organizations has had numerous complaints filed against him, under various compny names, etc.
This is a good lesson, that anyone can put up a website and claim to be a trainer, etc. If you want a trained dog, you really have to research the companies and individuals involved.
Fiona68 - I am afraid that that is where we might end up but both of our kids & I think that at this time he is capable of taking care of a dog because of the way he responds to theirs....he loves & pets them and he always walked our other dog ... I think he really misses not having his little buddy around....I'm mainly concerned about what "type" of dog would be best....I don't think we need a puppy because that would involve a whole lot of training and time....don't need one that sheds either...I need to know a breed that would be compatible to a person with dementia......
But make sure that you have confidence with the person. I know a person whose wife's arm was broken by their dog (locked on it with his jaws). They got the dog from a rescue society and they didn't reveal dog's past behavior. I am sure our county shelter would be good but that might not be the case for every county shelter.
I would talk to a veterinarian. There are also websites that match you and your desires/needs with certain breeds. Don't know the websites, but if you google what breed of dog should I get, I think it will take you to some sites.
we always had dogs, but not at the time DH got sick. As time went on I thought he needed a dog, so we got a lab mix, just under 2 yrs from a rescue and she was the perfect fit, I didn't want a puppy to train, and she had short--no shedding hair. He was still able to walk her, etc. We liked big dogs, but smaller ones are available and we were told we could return the dog if it didn't work out. Hope it works out for you.
I would recommend that you bring your dh to a animal shelter and have him spend some time with the various dogs to see if he bonds with any of them. The advice to speak with a veterinarian about what dog might be a good fit is also a great idea. We have a boston terrier who my husband adored and would never part with, then he was hospitalized for dangerous behaviors associated with his dementia (FTD). When he came home he no longer shared the deeply devoted bond with the dog, but the dog still loved him very much. Now I have to watch dh's every move and interaction with the dog because he has become abusive to the dog and I don't dare leave the 2 of them in close proximity because I know dh will physically harm the dog. Be VERY sure your husband will adjust to the dog and not harm it. It's very different when a dog comes to visit versus full time living with an animal. Sometime I think dh is jealous that the dog gets attention (not much) that he thinks he should have. And of course please be aware that you will most likely be responsible for the total care of the dog.
My dh was always so fond of our little Sophie. However, as he started down hill the dog seemed to get on his nerves and he wouldn't want her in the bed with him like he always had done in the past. But, Sophie set right beside his bed most of the day until he passed. And, after he died she seemed to blame me and would have nothing to do with me for almost a month. She would run from room to room looking for him. She even took her favorite toy and put it in the middle of the bathroom floor and left it for days...it was like her saying, "If you would just come back you could have my favorite toy". I never touched the toy and she finally took it and began playing with it again. Now...she is just totally obsessed with me.
I can relate to a lot of stories here. We got a dog just after DH was diagnosed. I didn't particularly want a dog, but he had to have him. He loved the dog (part beagle, part blue tick hound) & the dog loved him. However after about 3 years, as he declined he no longer recognized the dog as his. He would look at the dog & say, “That’s not my dog, I don't have a dog.” He would yell at the dog & then when he got agitated & yelled at me the poor dog would cower in a corner. That's when the dog bonded with me. Now that DH is in the Veterans Home I feel safer with Oreo (my dog!) here since I am alone.
We did not have a "service dog' per se, but our little Havanese took it upon himself to take care of "Paw". He sat with him - slept with him, and was such a calming influence. DH would stroke his soft hair and if I asked where he was, he'd smile and point down to the chair next to him.
Early on, when DH fell in the garage, our little dog sat at the back door barking. Somehow, he knew something had happened, and it was our dog that brought to my attention that something had happened. I opened the garage door and DH was lying on the floor.
I felt as if I had a co-caregiver! He just had four legs instead of two!
At one time we had two dogs. When the older one got sick, it was the younger one who became his caregiver. He'd comfort him, nudge him to get up and move around, let us know what was going on, and grieved and looked for him when he died. Remarkable animals.
I saw the comment about Mary... removing her link to Dog Wish because of some not so kind comments on the net. I'm very familiar with Dog Wish and their service dogs. Dog Wish is an extremely reputable service dog provider. Their dogs do amazing things for people with neurological diseases and disorders...and their families. True there are a few comments online that are not kind. The internet is a "Wild West" where people can make any kind of accusation under an assumed name to harm people, businesses and organizations for very devious reasons. Dog Wish has worked with people who have extreme trauma, mental illness and sometimes drug abuse in the home of a client. Many other service dog providers will not work with mentally ill clients or families with mental ill members. Comments on the internet have been from a past client who lost in court when they made false accusations about a Dog Wish service dog; another from a past employee who had major drug and alcohol problems and was fired by Dog Wish and from a mentally ill woman who wanted an affair with the founder of Dog Wish. Even "The Dog Whisperer" has numerous complaints and accusations against him in the internet. I'd suggest asking for references from any service dog organization you are interested in doing business with. Dog Wish has dozens and dozens of extremely happy clients who have had their lives transformed by Dog Wish service dogs. Rick Phelps dog Sam is a typical example of the quality of dementia service dog Dog Wish provides. That says it all!
It seems people that want to make negative comments rush to the internet to make them. People who are happy are slow to post positive comments. This seems to apply to most anything out there.