Partnering

Partnering with a Service Dog helps an individual with a disability go far beyond the limitations their disability would normally place on them.  Working together, each partner is able to live life to his or her fullest, sharing in successes and enjoying the gift of unconditional love.

The Bond

The Bond is the most important aspect in your working relationship with a Service Dog.  To facilitate the bond we carefully match the personalities of both partners.  Experience has shown similar personalities blend best in this type of working relationship.

This bond facilitates an inter-dependent relationship which is built on trust.  Through this inter-dependency comes independence.  You will discover a unique relationship built on love and respect that not only enhances independence, but also nourishes the soul.

Ways the Partnership can enhance your life:

• Your dog can be a social icebreaker.
• Eases loneliness and helps you to feel safer.
• Reduces wear and tear on your body and mind.
• Helps you return to activities you once enjoyed, feeling secure that your dog is there for you.
• Helps relieve worry for family and friends.
• An asset at a busy work place or school environment, reducing reliance on other people.
• Reduces the number of hours required by an attendant, often allowing a person to live completely independent or requiring only a minimal amount of outside support.
• Being responsible for the life of your dog can provide meaning and responsibility.
• Provides love and companionship, increasing the joy of life.

What is Required of You

Clients of Retrieving Independence must remember that although assistance dogs are highly trained in many commands, they are not machines that will respond automatically to commands. There are certain aspects of dog handling that are required of you to gain and maintain their responsiveness.

These aspects include:

• Quick decision making  
• Action versus reaction 
• Degree of physical movement, strength and reaction speed
• Good judgment in order to make the appropriate handling decisions 
• Good memory so that the leader is always consistent with the dog

Things our Dogs Cannot Do

Each client must remember that an assistance dog is highly trained to do many things, but your dog will not respond automatically.  Making the bond with your dog and being consistent in the way you ask will ensure responsiveness.  It takes good judgment to make the appropriate handling decisions.   We will work with you to be sure that you can make those appropriate decisions.
 
An RI dog cannot take responsibility for the safety of the recipient.

An RI dog does not have the ability to identify a safe versus a dangerous situation.

Our Dogs can only work under the direct supervision of an adult, and cannot go to school alone with a child, 18 or under. 

RI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, including genetic characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, military status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. 

Please keep in mind that an application can be rejected at anytime, as we always keep in mind what is in the best interest of the Client. 

RI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition including genetic characteristics, pregnancy, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.