An email I received

I think, at this point, it is appropriate to share excerpts from an email I received from AAD's lead trainer, Jean.  I am editing what you will read.  I'm fixing some format issues.  I am deleting things not relevant to this blog.  AND, like Dragnet, the names have been changed to protect privacy.

"Echo's would-be veteran was not the first veteran who applied for one of our dogs and then made a decision not to get a service dog right now. 

When they apply, they have no real idea what a tremendous commitment and responsibility owning a service dog really is. It is AAD's responsibility to give the whole picture; this not only includes the obvious benefits, but also the long list of challenges and realities they never thought of. This is a very important part of our process; not just for them, but also for our dogs. 

We want them to really think about whether having a service dog is a good choice at this time in their life and whether they are ready. They all think they are at the time they fill out an application."

I'm not going to disagree with anything she said.

Being a responsible owner of a dog that is only a companion has serious challenges and realities that start before you purchase a dog, and continue until after the dog's life ends.

I'm still learning about what all is involved with a service dog.  So far, it has turned into much more than I imagined.

That's not a complaint.

I wouldn't trade my time with Echo for anything.  The process we are going through with Echo is making Amy, Jesus and I better owners for Gimli.  (I'm not sure he thinks so.  Very often, all he sees is that Echo gets more attention than he does.)

But, as Jean put it, the realities and challenges of having a dog that is both companion, and, in a sense, employee, are much greater than responsible pet ownership.