Doggy Stars

Being an Autistic Small Business Owner is hard, but there are things you can do to try to make it easier.

1. Do I have the monetary means necessary to care for my service dog? Service dogs are not only expensive when you are getting one, but...

We’ve already talked about how the public should (or shouldn’t) interact with service dogs, but what about the service dog partners...

* Updated 2/8/23: Removed "ignore fear" and explanation as that does not match what science tells us. * In order to have a well-behaved...

You’re bringing a new puppy into your home! So exciting! Let’s make sure that you have supplies and plans prepared ahead of time to help...

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has finalized their new, updated rules regarding Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and Service...

You’ve decided that you want to get a service dog and that owner-training just isn’t right for you. How do you actually go about getting...

* Update 2/8/23: Changed "wheelchair" to "oxygen tank" as wheelchair users do, unfortunately, have their chair moved and touched without...

Every person with a disability is unique. Even those with the exact same diagnoses may have different capabilities. Some can hold down...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

In the service dog world, “registration” is seen as an ugly term. But why is that? And is “certification” any better? Well, it depends on...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Crate training is a much maligned practice. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard people say they don’t want to “trap” or otherwise...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Depending on where you are, you may or may not still be in lockdown due to covid-19, but there are other reasons you could be in...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

There are several common cutlery-based theories regarding chronic illness (which can include mental health illnesses) and what a person...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Service dogs are life-changing, but they can be very expensive, so more and more people are choosing to owner-train their dogs. The...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

You’ve been considering getting a service dog for yourself, you’ve researched what a service dog is, but you’re not sure if one is right...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

One term you’ve probably heard is “fake” service dog. Many places and people rail against these fakes causing trouble in stores and other...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Whether you have a service dog, an ESA, or a pet dog, finding a good dog trainer can be daunting. There are so many different techniques...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

Being invisibly disabled can be a real struggle, even when just trying to get the care you need. When I was around 20, I literally had a...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

The spring and summer months are full of hazards for our dogs, from toxic plants to blood-sucking pests and even increased trash and...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

There are so many different types of service dog equipment, but what’s the right one? Does it matter if you use a cape vs a vest? What’s...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

There’s a phrase used in the service dog world: “public access.” This term is used to mean that a dog has the rights to go into places...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

As a dog trainer, I have often been asked about pet insurance. Is it necessary? Is it worth it? My opinion is that any animal should have...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

*Update Jan. 2021: Psychiatric service dogs are no longer separated from other types of service dogs when it comes to airplanes and ESAs...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

One of the problems that those of us with invisible disabilities struggle with is belief that we’re disabled. We have to struggle with...

Service dogs must be trained in certain behaviors to help their specific disabled partner. If the behavior is triggered with a command...

The temperature is rising again, so it’s time to think about the temperature of the ground that your dog is walking on. Humans (normally)...

About six months ago, I realized that I needed to add a cane to my daily life for safety reasons. I wasn’t able to stand in place for...

*The changes have been decided as of Jan. 2021. See more here.* The DOT has a proposal to change how service dogs and Emotional Support...

*Updated 6/22/23 to add a link for more information about SSI/SSDI* What the US defines as a disability—and when they’ll offer help—is...

An introduction to who I am, my experience, and what I'm passionate about.