New, about six weeks ago. Ginger is a 3 yr old (near as we know) "Red Heeler" or Australian Cattle Dog. Sometimes called "Queensland." The breed was developed from kelpies and dingos about 1856 in Australia, for cattle herding.

Ginger has some German Shepherd mix in her. She's smart, strong, agile, affectionate, loyal, protective. Adopted from a shelter, she's had problems with placement -- she's energetic and needs full-time attention from someone willing to train her and work with her. Previous adoptions had her locked in the garage while the owner worked. She also didn't integrate well with an "established pack" of "house dogs."

I'm a disabled veteran, and so she works as a "Service Dog." ADA specifies in the USA that any dog who assists a disabled person is legally viewed as a "Service Dog." The only qualifications are that the dog be under control, well behaved, not aggressive. Ginger does all that, and more. She's excellent around children, cats, other dogs, strangers.

What's nice about this status is that she can accmompany me everywhere (We don't do restaurants.) and not have to stay in the vehicle.

Off the leash, without the "service cape," and out on the beach with the ball chucker, she becomes "The Rocket Dog."

WOOF . . .

When someone posts a photo about their new dog it's socially appropriate, "good manners," and indeed expected that you say something complimentary.

Nice solid looking dog. Besides the natural companionship and protection she provides, does she have any other training commonly associated with "service dogs"---is she able to help with any physical disabilities?

Zedo,

Healers are wonderful dogs. I have a Blue Heeler that was left by an old man on his ranch. I have never had a GS, but I know they are smart as can be.

You got a good dog there

congrats zedo
she looks good.

best regards

peter

I joke about this -- a woman asked me.

"She introduces me to every woman I'm interested in meeting."

She blushed when she realized it was true.

I don't have physical disabilites; it's all psychological. ADA provides for "companionship" as a "service" for the animal.

What's amusing is that I invariably wear dark glasses outdoors. With Ginger along, people think I'm blind -- until I get in the car and drive away.



As "companions" dogs serve to lower blood pressure, relieve stress/anxiety, provide exercise, and social integration. All these are viewed by the medical community as important benefits to having a companion animal.

Ginger is a well behaved companion. She soothes others we meet -- veterans at the VA Hospital always stop to pet her. Off the leash she turns into "Rocket Dog" -- huge energy, and she's comical. That's good medicine.

Makes a huge difference in my day to day outlook.