This post will talk about Robbie's primary task of bracing for me, as well as a bit about counter-balance. I'll also explain what counter-balancing is, how bracing helps me, and why this type of harness is used for mobility & how it differs from a guide harness. How Robbie Braces or Stabilizes Me
What is Counter-Balancing? Why is it Important?Counter-balancing is when a harness enables a dog to help keep their owner maintain their balance while walking. This is extremely important for people like me who have trouble walking but can't use a cane or other device, or people whose legs frequently give out. Having this type of harness on a mobility dog is just an extra safety measure that some handlers choose to use on their bad days. However, the harness and the dog can only take so much pressure. Dogs are not meant to be equal replacements for canes or crutches, so if you are needing a device to constantly put all of your weight on, a service dog may not be the right choice for you. How is a Mobility Harness Different From Guide Dog Gear?Mobility dogs are there to provide occasional support and balance to people. Mobility dogs should still walk at a heel, though slightly in front while wearing a harness, and depending on their handler's size and needs, the handles will be smaller and closer to the dog's body. Mobility harnesses may also be called MSH - Mobility Support Harness or BAH - Balance assistance Harness. Click on BAH to go to a link for a custom mobility harness design company called Bold Lead Designs and for more information about mobility harnesses in general.
Guide dogs are there to guide their handler all the time. Their handles are tall, long, and rigid and they often walk more ahead of their handler in order to help lead them around and ensure that no harm comes to them. The photos below are examples of guide dog harnesses. Guide dog harnesses can have a handle this long because their handlers are not typically applying weight or pressure to the dog. If they were, a handle this long could cause serious damage to a dog. Mobility dogs use shorter harness handles and that allows them to withstand temporary pressure.
13 Comments
Susan
1/30/2018 09:06:04 pm
My SD's build is very similar to Robbies. Her new active dogs heavy duty Mobility harness arrived yesterday. Now that you have had one for for a while, I would like to know how it's working out? Do you still use it? Other than needing to add some extra holes, did you have to modify it in any other way? Any input that you can provide to help make my girl be more comfortable would be greatly appreciated.
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CRPS Service Dog
1/31/2018 09:57:06 am
Hi Susan! We actually decided a few months ago to stop using this particular harness. We tried numerous times to condition Robbie to wearing it and he hated it, so I didn't want to force him. Also, the more we used it, the more I found that the suitcase style handle was really uncomfortable for me to hold, and Robbie a little short. I was having to stretch my arm to reach it, and with my CRPS in both arms, it just wasn't working. As far as modifications we didn't need to modify it more than extra holes. Robbie was oddly proportioned, but once we added the holes it fit him just fine. One thing I did notice when walking him with it though was that the longer we walked, the more it would slide off to the side a bit, even while tight. I would have to reposition the handle a lot to make sure it stayed centered on him. Had Robbie been OK with the harness, we were going to add fleece coverings to the straps behind his elbows to prevent rubbing, but thats it. I hope this gear works out better for you guys! I recommend letting her wear it around the house and on walks for a few weeks before you start to actively use it.
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Rebecca
6/10/2018 04:26:01 pm
Hi my name is Rebecca. I have CRPS (it was still called RSD when I was diagnosed) I’ve had it for almost half my life now (1 year to go...) It started when I was 19. It’s in 75% of my body along with a drop foot now in my worse foot for the last 5/6 years and I really need a Balance & Mobility Service Dog for so many reasons I won’t start naming them. The one I will mention bec it encompasses a lot is more independence when/where possible and getting to feel more like myself/ more like a real person again. I’m on disability and obviously do not have a lot of money to pay $30 - $40 thousand to pay the cost some places want for a B&M Service dog and I’m having such a hard time finding one through a charity. I don’t know who to trust and also the only place near my house that does balance and mobility will only pair with veterans. The other local place specifies that they do not do balance and mobility. Obviously if I have no choice but to travel to be teamed up I will find a way to figure it out with a family member but it’s not easy ironically especially without having a service dog. Which is why I’m trying to get one. I know nothing is a “fix” but I know this will make a huge difference if I can figure it out. Nobody around here seems to know anything about getting a service dog that does balance and mobility (only 1 knew anything about service dogs at all) Sorry for rambling on. I’m just hoping you may have some advice. I hope you’re doing as well as can be :-)
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CRPS Service Dog
6/13/2018 07:56:30 am
Hi Rebecca,
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John
10/28/2018 06:15:03 pm
Rebecca;
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Deborah
3/12/2019 03:23:51 pm
Hi Rebecca I understand what you are saying about getting a dog and the cost involved.I have MS and have used dogs to help with balance and mobility and much more but I have had to train my dogs myself I recently made enquires about getting a trained dog because my current dog is getting older and he has arthritis and I am not sure how much longer he will b e able to help me but there were no dogs available and all the waiting lists for dogs were closed.So I am back to training a dog myself again.I have used German Shepherds in the past .My Dog now is an Alaskan Malamute and he has been superb he has taken to the tasks of helping me so enthusiastically he really wants to help me so much so that he has needed little training because he anticipates what I need. My new dog is a Carpathian Shepherd and although he is young only 18 months he is showing great promise he is learning what I need of him and he is going to be a big dog which of course I need he is already taller than my Malamute.If you train the dog yourself you get a much closer relationship I am not saying that it is easy but it is worth the effort.Hope this helps if I can help at all just say. Debbie
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Kim
2/10/2021 05:48:24 pm
I am in the process of training my German Shepard to be my service dog. I was recently diagnosed with epilepsy and it turns out she has been alerting me to upcoming seizures all along I just didn’t pick up on it. My question is how do I certify a dog I’ve trained myself, how do I go about training her to counter balance? Thank you in advance for any insight.
Annette
2/24/2020 10:38:08 am
wear can i find this harness
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CRPS Service Dog
3/13/2020 11:09:50 am
Hi Annette,
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MY CRPS SERVICE DOG
2/27/2021 11:43:34 am
Kim, I hope you see this. For some reason, a "reply" button is not appearing next to your comment.
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4/23/2021 07:19:51 pm
Hi!
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Angela Latessa
10/12/2022 12:17:59 pm
I came across this post because I was looking for places that train dogs for mobility support. I had received a dog from a program called Sit Service Dogs since they train dogs for multiple disabilities. The dog I am working with is jus wonderful! I just don't know if I'll go through them again because I had to raise $15,000 for him and I'm not sure if I'll be able to do that again. Plus, they don't measure their dogs and the harness he originally came with was a size too big, so I had to get him a smaller harness with shorter handle. The harness he came with was from Dean and Tyler since they make a mobility support harness that can be used for guiding as well. It seems that the more disabilities a person has, the harder it is to find a place that can train a dog without charging a ton of money. And I am amazed of how many places don't train for bracing. My problems come from a brain injury so I had to get not just a guide dog, but a dog who could perform multiple tasks and I don't know where to go to get my next dog. Since the program I got my current dog from doesn't train for guiding, I did some of the work with him on my own since I had worked with guide dogs for 22 years. So that wasn't as hard as I thought. how would I go about finding a program that isn't so expensive or working with a trainer that could help me the next time around?
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CRPS Service Dog
11/29/2022 10:29:19 am
Hi Angela,
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My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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