Mobility service dogs are dogs that are trained to perform tasks that assist a handler in a wheelchair, or who may otherwise struggle with movement. These service dogs provide essential assistance that enables their handler to have more freedom and independence by helping throughout the day with everyday tasks. A mobility assistance dog can be an invaluable asset. We are often contacted by individuals and families who are interested in acquiring a mobility service dog. A common question is about the best dog breed for this type of work. There are several considerations to take into account ..read more

Service dog deliveries are a very poignant event. For our service dog team, delivery marks the end of several months of preparation and intensive training; for the service dog handler, it marks the beginning of an improved quality of life alongside their four-legged partner. At Highland Canine Service Dogs, we place a huge emphasis on the delivery aspect of our service dog training program. This is the culmination of the countless hours of work and dedication that our trainers put into working with each of our fully-trained service dogs. Over the years, we have received positive feedback fro ..read more

The work of a service dog is truly awe-inspiring. These amazing dogs assist some of the most vulnerable in society by performing a range of tasks to help their handlers in their everyday lives. Whether they are an autism service dog, a mobility assistance dog, a hearing service dog, or another type of assistance animal, these dogs play a pivotal role through their trained tasks. We know that training a service dog is a time-intensive process. In a previous blog post, we have discussed how long it takes to train a service dog. Our process, from start-to-finish, typically takes 12 to 18 months ..read more

Service dogs and their handlers are thoroughly protected in the US, so why are many handlers still confronted by suspicious employees and store patrons when out in public?  This confrontational behavior doesn’t just include experiences at dining establishments and in stores, either; it also extends so far as to include unknown people on sidewalks, in parking lots and in any number of other public places. In our Service Dog Accessibility survey a couple of years ago, almost three-quarters of service dog owners said they had been asked illegal questions. For service dog handlers, bei ..read more

Service dogs are an amazing asset for many individuals and their families, helping people with disabilities to live a higher quality of life. These highly trained dogs can accomplish many tasks – from a mobility service dog picking up a dropped key for a person using a wheelchair, to a seizure service dog notifying their handlers of an oncoming seizure. If you are exploring how to get a service dog for a family member, or are looking into options for getting a service dog for yourself, there are several factors to consider in your decision-making process. In this article, we’ll explain how t ..read more

At Highland Canine Service Dogs, we have had the privilege of training service dogs to perform a wide variety of tasks. From service dogs trained to assist children diagnosed with autism, to mobility service dogs who help people who struggle with movement, there seems to be no limit to the way service dogs can enhance the lives of those who require them. One less common – yet incredibly valuable – type of service dog is the seizure service dog. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease after migraines, strokes and Alzheimer’s. It affects over 65 million people around the world ..read more

At Highland Canine Service Dogs, we love helping families and individuals in need by matching them with a service dog who can improve their quality of life. These amazing dogs are able to help their handlers by performing specific tasks, whilst also bringing a level of reassurance and peace of mind to concerned family members. Occasionally, we receive questions from service dog applicants about accreditation and Assistance Dogs International (ADI). We wanted to take a few moments to answer some frequently asked questions around this topic to help potential applicants understand more about t ..read more

Over the years at Highland Canine Service Dogs, we have trained numerous top-quality service dogs who improve their handler’s quality of life. From autism assistance dogs to mobility service dogs, our dogs are impeccably trained to perform their given tasks in a variety of situations. Task training is just one part of the equation, though. Another important part of our role is to learn about the service dog owner and their family. We have to get to know them. We have to understand the challenges they face. We have to know about their home life, work life and school life. This knowledge enabl ..read more

At Highland Canine Service Dogs, we have been privileged to provide highly-skilled service dogs to families across the United States for over fifteen years. We have traveled to all corners of the nation, helping to improve the quality of life for individuals and families through the amazing capabilities a service dog can provide. Throughout the past fifteen years, our team has accrued knowledge that allows us to constantly refine, develop and improve our processes. We have always recognized the importance of interpersonal relationships, and we place this at the core of everything we do. We b ..read more

A service dog can be an incredible, life-changing asset for families. Whether you are looking for an autism service dog for a child, a mobility service dog for an older member of the family, a PTSD service dog for a military veteran, or another type of service animal, we have seen first-hand how transformative these animals can be. A fully-trained service dog can provide so many benefits. In our experience, we also know that a service dog can be a significant financial commitment. Many families we have spoken to are often looking for service dog grants and other ways to help pay for their s ..read more