Service Dogs
The Right Source
Service Dogs
What Service Dogs Do
Is a Service Dog for You
How to Get a Service Dog
The Right Dog
The Right Source
The Right Trainer
The Right Training
Your Goals
Your Resources
Getting Ready for a Service Dog
Equipment
Health Care
When You Get a Service Dog
Working in Public
Where does the dog come from?
Whether you get your service dog from a provider organization a consulting private trainer, or you obtain a dog for yourself, consider the source.  Where did the dog come from?
 
The most obvious sources for dogs include: a breeding program, donation from a breeder, a rescue organization, the animal shelter, a family pet, and the newspaper.
 
When considering a dog from any source, look again at the criteria if you want a service dog. 
 
When the genetics of a dog are known, such as from a breeder or breeding program, you can often meet the parents.  The temperament and health of the parents will tell you about the temperament and health of the offspring.  When the parents for several generations have been cleared through OFA for hip problems and CERF for eye problems the chances that the offspring will have good hips and good eyes is much greater.
 
If the genetic background of a dog is unknown, be sure to get a veterinarian to X-ray the dog's hips as part of the health check before you make any decisions.  Many dogs are ruled out by the hip X-ray.  If the dog does not have good hips, it will not be able to work for you as a service dog.
 
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Education and Support for People and Service Dogs