Hermione is a smart girl. I told her to get the phone which was on a table on a charger in an upright position. Being a novice handler initially I told her UP and GET. She readily went up and gave me her "I have no idea what you want" look since there were many things on the table and I have never asked her to get the phone before. So I learned that I needed to put the phone and charger on the ground. She immediately knew I wanted the phone since I have taught her to GET what I indicate with my foot. After three tries she figured out how to get the phone out with one grab. Then we tried on the table. The first two times she hit the buttons on the charger but still picked up the phone. The third time she avoided the charged and picked up the phone but moved it as there wasn't much space. So the fourth time it was too far away for her to reach. So I moved it back and had her UP and GET again so we could end on a success.
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I'm still trying to get a dog and having such trouble with the agencies I've contacted, that training successes seem eons away. :P
CCI also has skilled companions or assisted service dogs for adults who can't handle a dog in public alone. CCI places assistance dog with adults who have traumatic brain injuries or Alzheimer's who aren't aware of what they are capable of.
Even so just for your reference, I started applying at the end of November 2006, got accepted at the end of March 2007 and went to Team Training in Feb 2008 when I got my dog Hermione. The NW region is also the national office.
The wait seemed endless, but was well worth it. I think any agency which is good will have a wait list, because it takes a lot of time to train a dog and dogs and people are individuals, so matching is involved.
However it takes a lot of excellent training and a dog with the right temperament to perform well in public situations, especially if you're feeling bad. There are a lot of people out there who feel that a dog with a vest is a license to pet and kids will literally grab the dog's tail. I am concerned that the wrong dog will actually make your situation worse.
Also even the best trained dogs have bad days too. They get sick. They misbehave. A well trained dog's misbehavior will be minor transgressions, but they are still dogs.