As the rest of my hearing falls apart (I've got about 10% in my right ear and about 40% in my left), I increasingly take advantage of the help given me by Chase the Incredible Rocket Dog, my 50# lab mix. He serves as an 'alert' dog for me, as he hears things that I don't and lets me know about them. While there is no specific formal licensing for service dogs (and other animals), I'm at least getting some recognition from my physician that he provides hearing assistance to me, and getting him a service animal vest. I've especially noted that, when I camp with him (he is in the tent with me), he 'notifies' me of things occurring outside, including other people and when animals approach.
Does anyone have any experience in taking service animals on trails in restricted places like GSMNP and Baxter? Since I'm neither blind nor in a wheelchair, my handicap isn't apparent to others (which is one of the reasons for the vest for Chase) so I'd be interested in any other experiences and suggestions.
Thanks.
Does anyone have any experience in taking service animals on trails in restricted places like GSMNP and Baxter? Since I'm neither blind nor in a wheelchair, my handicap isn't apparent to others (which is one of the reasons for the vest for Chase) so I'd be interested in any other experiences and suggestions.
Thanks.
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