Caring for Your Assistance Dogs Abroad

Find out tips for supplies to take along, climate preparations, and dog health when traveling internationally.

What will you bring?

• Food and Nutritional Supplements
• Figure out what you can bring along with you and purchase the rest of the food and supplies.
• Make certain that the food is manufacturer-sealed in its bundle.  Consult your pet food supply shop for sample packs for aviation.
• For short trips or dog food or other allergies, take what you may need (i.e. food, medication, shampoos) to travel.
• For longer excursions, order food and supplies online or direct from the manufacturer and get it sent to your destination.  Many nations also have pet shops locally too.
• Keep the medicine in original prescription bottles, sealed, and with a note describing what the medication is and its purpose.

Climate

• Think about the climate from which you’re coming since the dog will have their summer or winter coat.
• When traveling from a cold climate to a warm climate, acclimatize your assistance dogs by:
• Shaving the coat if possible
• Brushing the coat frequently
• Adding Pedialyte® to water bowls to prevent dehydration
• Placing freezer packs in the pockets of vests to cool the body down
• Purchasing a “cooler” collar to wear
• Purchasing booties to protect the dog’s pads, if applicable

When traveling from a warmer climate to cold weather, consider:

• Purchasing vests/coats with insulation
• Purchasing booties to protect the dog’s pads, if applicable
• Brushing the coat frequently.
• Some dogs will want to get used to some new equipment before being able to work without being distracted by it.

How do I maintain my guide dog healthy?

Carry a pet first aid kit with you, or supplement yours with what your assistance dog requirements.

Require a pet first aid class.  Even if you can not physically perform the needed action you might have the ability to instruct another individual and save your assistance dog’s life.

Identify veterinarians in the regions you intend to travel.  Keep their names and contact information in a convenient, safe location.

Set aside money for health certificates, vet visits, and penalties related to traveling with an animal.

Carry a head halter and/or muzzle.  Ensure that your assistance dog was introduced into these items before traveling.  Some areas may require a muzzle or muzzle as an instrument for dogs in public.

Care for yourself.  Your service dog depends upon you as much as you do them.  Ensure that you are in good health so that you can care for your assistance dog.

Have a backup plan to fulfill your needs in the event your assistance dog isn’t permitted to accompany you or becomes unable to operate.

If you’re searching for assistance dogs in Australia, check out VuCare Assistance Dogs.  VuCare functions as a not for profit organization that offers aid with medical aids and has a goal to train Assistance Dogs and Companion Dogs to enhance the quality of life and increases the level of independence for individuals with disabilities.  VuCare Assistance Dogs and Companion Dogs provide their new owners greater liberty increased mobility, improved confidence, and greater self-esteem.

To learn more call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au.  Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs site at http://vucare.com.au.

VuCare Assistance Dogs Training Programs

VuCare Assistance Dogs Training Programs:
For Pets and their companions.

– Better Pet basic
– Social Interaction
– Assess for home assist
– General home assist
– Advance home assist
– One on One Training
– Private Assistance Dogs
– Security Guard Dogs (AFP check required)
– Dog Training Course 1 (beginner)
– Dog Training Course 2 (advance)

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au/

VuCare Assistance Dogs

If dogs could speak, they might be able to explain that special bond and its benefits that exist between humans and dogs. Our success stories and studies speak for them. Studies show again and again that dogs can provide tremendous benefits to individuals by offering companionship and performing everyday “human” tasks. Not only can dogs reduce the physical obstacles facing people with disabilities, but also the social barriers. A dog helps bridge gaps of ignorance by stimulating common interests, like sharing dog stories.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au/

VuCare Assistance Dogs in Melbourne, Australia

Our specialty trained dogs assist and support their owners with everyday tasks that are made difficult due to their disability. Each dog is taught tasks tailored to each individual clients needs, enabling that person to lead a fuller and more independent life.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

 

Advantages of Having Assistance Dog

Someone who’s physically challenged knows the problem which could be found in everyday tasks that most of us tend to take for granted.  For those coping with the daily challenges of life with a handicap, a habit trained by VuCare Assistance Dogs can be of tremendous help in helping them to achieve a greater level of mobility and independence.

Some of the benefits of a Service Dogs are:

Service dogs are with their partners constantly.  It is basically like having a helper 24 hours every day!

SELF SUFFICIENCY

The disabled person has less demand for asking other people to assist with tasks.  This is not only practical in many circumstances, it has the psychological advantage of beating the feelings of despair and imposition that a person can feel having to ask for help repeatedly.

LESSENED CAREGIVER COSTS

There is less need for a human caregiver to assist with chores around the house or to perform tasks such as shopping, etc..  These dogs are trained to help with many tasks and are adaptable to learn how to take care of unfamiliar duties their partner might need assistance with.

While Service Dogs are not trained for protection since they need to be well mannered and nonaggressive in public, they do discourage aggressive improvements from others and can act as guardians for their partners (especially in cases of seizure victims).

The day to day interaction needed to take care of a dog assists the individual to stay active and involved with staying healthy.  Even the simple act of throwing a ball in a game of draw is an exercise which helps both canine and human to keep in shape.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Dogs offer many opportunities for exercise: dressing them, throwing a ball or frisbee, playing tug games, etc..  All of these help keep their individual partner moving and staying limber.  Many times a person will push themselves to strive harder for their dog than they would ever do just for themselves.  In quite a few cases, these special canines are also trained to help with a structured physical therapy exercise, for example, lying across legs to give balance for sit-ups or supplying a brace for the spouse to use while walking or moving from a wheelchair.

PSYCHOLOGICAL BENEFITS

No matter how rotten a day has been, these special dogs offer affection during these hard times and offer unconditional love and support.  So often a person with a disability will put on a brave front but inside will be in pain, scared, depressed, frustrated, angry, or just plain exhausted with coping with the effects of their disability.  Having their canine partner there, giving them both physical and emotional support can make the difference between a tolerable day and one where you only want to give up.

SOCIAL BENEFITS

Many times individuals with disabilities experience isolation and in some instances, outright shunning because others feel uncomfortable with how they need to act around them.  Unknown conditions can be scary and people are notorious for avoiding situations where they do not know what to do or how to act.  Having a Service Dog will help to bridge that uncomfortable barrier.  Where someone would feel they couldn’t possibly ask how a person deals with their handicap, they are easily able to show an interest in the way the dog helps their spouse.  This increased social interaction greatly lessens the isolation and feelings of being alone that the disabled individual must cope with everyday.  As one spouse once said, “my dog makes my wheelchair disappear”.

About VuCare Assistance Dogs

VuCare runs as a not for profit organization that offers support with medical aids and has a goal to train Assistance Dogs and Company Dogs to enhance the quality of life and increases the degree of freedom for people who have handicaps.  VuCare Assistance Dogs and Company Dogs provide their new owners greater autonomy increased freedom, enhanced trust, and greater self-esteem.

To learn more phone us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au.  Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs Australia site at http://vucare.com.au.

VuCare Assistance Dogs Volunteer Puppy Parents – Australia

VuCare has a team of Volunteer Puppy Parents who work tirelessly and they all have one thing in common, a genuine love of animals and a desire to see them safe, happy and healthy.

Our Volunteer Puppy Parents walk the dogs, spend time with the dogs, help with administration and fundraising. Puppy Parent Volunteers need to be 18 years of age or older.

We also have occasional Puppy Friend volunteers for specific work experience programs. Puppy Friend Volunteers need to be at least 14 years of age.

All you need to be a Puppy Parent or Friend is a genuine love of animals, a genuine desire to work with dogs, be physically fit, enjoy walking and be the appropriate age. You will also need to make a commitment of 2 hours or more per visit either fortnightly or monthly.

If you have, or know of, a puppy/young dog, which you think might be suitable for training, please contact our pooch support team by calling our Head Office on 1300 363 700 or by email at poochteam@vucare.com.au.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au/

What we Believe at VuCare Assistance Dogs

What we Believe at VuCare Assistance Dogs
About our Clients we believe that…

– Increasing the independence of people with disabilities is beneficial to both the individual and the community.
– Obtaining an assistance dog is a life changing experience for people with disabilities, providing for both their physical and emotional needs.
– Clients deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
– Placement of successor dogs with past clients should have priority over new dog placements.

About our Dogs we believe that…

– Dogs should be selected and trained to satisfy individual client needs.
– Positive-reinforcement training and high levels of care produces higher quality dogs.
– Dogs have an important place in people’s lives.

Read more: http://vucare.com.au

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

 

VuCare Pooch Support Team

If you have, or know of, a puppy/young dog, which you think might be suitable for training, please contact our pooch support team by calling our Head Office on 1300 363 700 or by email at poochteam@vucare.com.au.

 

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

VuCare Assistance Dogs Training Programs Australia

VuCare Assistance Dogs Training Programs:
For Pets and their companions.

– Better Pet basic
– Social Interaction
– Assess for home assist
– General home assist
– Advance home assist
– One on One Training
– Private Assistance Dogs
– Security Guard Dogs (AFP check required)
– Dog Training Course 1 (beginner)
– Dog Training Course 2 (advance)

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

VuCare Service Dog Training in Australia

Want to train your own dog to be a service dog?

An applicant’s own dog may be used for this program after both the applicant and dog undergo a full assessment before being accepted into any VuCare program. There is a small fee to cover our trainers time.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.