Maritime Specialty Service Dogs Society (MSSDS) is a registered non-profit organization based in Truro, NS; established with the goal of training service dogs and giving their recipients a new lease on life and independence that they might not have had before being paired with their service dog.
Our dogs come from shelters or are donated by breeders; we give them a purpose in life and an important job to do! We train service dogs for people with, but not limited to: psychiatric and post-traumatic stress disorder, autism-spectrum disorder, mobility assistance, diabetic, obsessive compulsive disorder and seizure alert.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to get your questions about service dogs, expectations and the process answered.
With your help, together we can make a difference.
Our dogs come from shelters or are donated by breeders; we give them a purpose in life and an important job to do! We train service dogs for people with, but not limited to: psychiatric and post-traumatic stress disorder, autism-spectrum disorder, mobility assistance, diabetic, obsessive compulsive disorder and seizure alert.
Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page to get your questions about service dogs, expectations and the process answered.
With your help, together we can make a difference.
MSSDS' RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS REGARDING SERVICE DOG, JACOB
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As many are aware, there are allegations that have been levied against us regarding the removal of one of our Service Dogs, Jacob.
Each Service Dog placement we make requires an extensive and thorough process to ensure long-term success for the Handler and Service Dog. A Service Dog is not a pet. Some individuals cannot maintain our high standard of care and training we devote to our Service Dogs. If the daily training regime is not maintained by the Handler (or primary caregiver in the case of a Minor), the Service Dog’s basic manners and specialized task training will deteriorate and the safety of the Handler, Service Dog and public will be at risk. Unfortunately, this puts us in a position to remove the Service Dog from its placement and back into our care to ensure the safety of the Handler, Service Dog and the public. The Board was approached by Global News and was asked to comment in an interview. In the interest of transparency, while protecting the privacy of the family, the links to Global News’ interviews and our complete and unredacted responses to Global News’ questions are below. |
Service Dog, Jacob, taken January 2016. Photo credit: C. Morgan
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Global News Release May 15, 2019
‘202 holes in my heart:’ Halifax family reeling after service dog removal https://globalnews.ca/news/5279224/halifax-family-service-dog-removal/ |
Global News Release May 17, 2019
After losing his service dog, heartbroken Emery finds healing through Hazel https://globalnews.ca/news/5288229/emery-finds-healing-through-hazel/ |
Global News provided us a list of interview questions to respond to and our complete and unredacted responses are as follows:
Did MSSDS consider Jacob’s health, wellness or safety to be at risk under the Spanik family’s care?
Yes
What kind of care has MSSDS taken to ensure that Emery receives continued to support?
MSSDS had a contract with the Ms. Vandewater and Mr. Spanik that was terminated in accordance with the terms of the contract. MSSDS, despite having no obligation to do so, maintained communication with the family from the time it received notice that there were issues regarding Jacob.
Did MSSDS inform the Spanik family of the independent examiner’s test in November that sparked his removal? Why or why not?
The basis for Jacob’s removal on November 7, 2018 from the Vandewater/Spanik household was discussed with the family before, during and after the dog was removed.
A third party communicated concerns to the family and to MSSDS that Jacob was no longer exhibiting behaviours in keeping with that of a Certified Service Dog. As a result of this communication, I arranged to observe Jacob at the child’s school on November 7th. I removed Jacob that day due to safety concerns I had for the child and for the Service Dog. The Board held an emergency meeting as removal of a Service Dog is a very serious matter.
The Board decided the best course of action was to have Jacob retested to assess his current competency as a Certified Service Dog. Jacob was retested on November 18, 2018. In my letter to Ms. Vandewater and Mr. Spanik dated November 19, 2018, I explained that because Jacob failed all his tests and examination, he no longer was a “qualified service dog”. As a result, he would not be returning to their household.
MSSDS received a letter from the family dated November 20th as well as a voice message and an email from Ms. Vandewater dated December 5th and 7th respectively.
The Board then directed me to send a second letter to the Ms. Vandewater and Mr. Spanik which I did on December 7, 2018. I was very clear that MSSDS could not make any commitments regarding Jacob’s next placement.
How easy is it to train a dog for a particular set of services (autism for example), and then re-train it to offer different services (to someone with PTSD for example) afterward?
All Service Dogs are required to have the basic skill set of behaving themselves in public, we screen for aggression/reactivity, anxiety and fears. They must be fluent and proofed in all their behaviours. They must be trained to notice but ignore all distractions in public including but not limited to: vehicular traffic, people walking by, other dogs walking by, shopping carts, food on the floor, etc.
Once the dogs have been trained and proofed in as many environments as possible, we decide what job the dog will perform best at and train the 3 specific tasks required for that Handler. It can take 2 years (sometimes more) to start a dog, get them to certification with their Handler and finish placement lessons (which in itself can be 5-8 months).
Under what circumstances does MSSDS remove a dog from a client, and what protocols are observed for client care in the process of that removal?
Every circumstance is as different as each of our Handlers. Part of our job as the training school and placement organization is to ensure that the dog is not exhibiting undesirable behaviour, is being handled in a safe manner and working as a service dog. If any of these criteria are not being met, there is a complaint from the public or the custodian sends us a message then we look into it to see if there is a simple issue that can be resolved with more coaching of the Handler. If the issue is bigger and coaching will not resolve the issue, removal of the dog is critical for the safety of the Handler, the child, and Service Dog.
What kind of retraining or additional training did Jacob require?
Depending on the age of the dog, deterioration of their skills (amount of time it will take to re-train) and overall health determines whether a dog who has been removed can be re-trained and placed with a new Handler and if not, then the dog is retired and placed in a home suitable to the dog’s needs.
When will that training be completed?
Training is never done. Dogs are animals and their trained behaviours will deteriorate if Handlers do not practice behaviors regularly.
Was any prior notice given to the Spanik family that the dog would be removed?
The family was aware that a third party had reported concerns about the dog’s behavior. Once I observed the dog, I took him into my care but immediately advised the family that this would be discussed further once the Jacob was retested.
How long has MSSDS been operating in Nova Scotia, and what kinds of registrations and/or certifications is required to have by law to carry out its services?
MSSDS has been operating since March 2015. We are a registered non-profit organization which has been in good standing on the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks since 2015.
Does MSSDS stand by the manner in which it removed the dog from Emery, as an industry best practice or client care-based approach?
MSSDS had a contractual obligation to the family that clearly set out its corresponding obligations to assure the safety of children and the safety of its Service Dogs.
Is there a possibility that Jacob will be returned to Emery? If not, why, and if so, when?
No
Did MSSDS have evidence that the Jacob’s services were not benefitting Emery?
Yes
The Spanik family says that with Jacob, Emery was able to sleep better, reduce his anxiety and aggression, perform better at school and reduce his medications. What is MSSDS’s response to that?
Jacob failed to qualify as a Service Dog when he was retested on November 18, 2018.
What happens to Jacob now?
MSSDS is not at liberty to share this information.
What kind of experience does MSSDS have with training and pairing autism service dogs?
Our Past-President, Heather Logan, who trained and made placement decisions at the time placed the dog with Emery. She has been training Service Dogs for over 20 years and has placed several service dogs with autistic children. During my tenure as President of the Organization, we have not had a dog that is trained to the high standards we impose in order to place a dog with an autistic child nor have we had a family that is committed to the ongoing training regime that must be followed to ensure the safety of the child and the dog post placement.
Is it common practice in the service dog industry to make a young child the primary handler of a dog?
Yes. When a child is young, typically they will have a secondary handler (usually a parent or guardian).
What contractual stipulations govern the removal of a dog from a client?
We have provided a blank copy of the contract signed by Georgia Vandewater and Aaron Spanik prior to Jacob’s placement. You will note that the contract provides for the organization to take the dog back if there are concerns that the dog’s behavior may not be meeting the welfare requirements for the child or the Service Dog.
Does MSSDS have a code of ethics, and if so, may I receive a copy?
Please visit our website (www.maritimeservicedogs.org) and Facebook page.
Why was Jacob removed from the Spanik family?
Answered above.
As a result of this experience MSSDS has revised its Service Dog Placement Procedures. Our already stringent procedures include a formal application and interview process as well as a requirement for the Handler to learn how to maintain the Service Dog’s behaviours through consistent and appropriate training techniques. Handlers are also required to provide proof from their medical providers (depending on requirement and condition) that their condition is one that allows them to assume responsibility for a Service Dog while benefiting from the treatment offered. If the Handler is a child then the application and interview process will include the child’s guardians as these adults will be required to care and training the Service Dog on behalf of the child.
Did MSSDS consider Jacob’s health, wellness or safety to be at risk under the Spanik family’s care?
Yes
What kind of care has MSSDS taken to ensure that Emery receives continued to support?
MSSDS had a contract with the Ms. Vandewater and Mr. Spanik that was terminated in accordance with the terms of the contract. MSSDS, despite having no obligation to do so, maintained communication with the family from the time it received notice that there were issues regarding Jacob.
Did MSSDS inform the Spanik family of the independent examiner’s test in November that sparked his removal? Why or why not?
The basis for Jacob’s removal on November 7, 2018 from the Vandewater/Spanik household was discussed with the family before, during and after the dog was removed.
A third party communicated concerns to the family and to MSSDS that Jacob was no longer exhibiting behaviours in keeping with that of a Certified Service Dog. As a result of this communication, I arranged to observe Jacob at the child’s school on November 7th. I removed Jacob that day due to safety concerns I had for the child and for the Service Dog. The Board held an emergency meeting as removal of a Service Dog is a very serious matter.
The Board decided the best course of action was to have Jacob retested to assess his current competency as a Certified Service Dog. Jacob was retested on November 18, 2018. In my letter to Ms. Vandewater and Mr. Spanik dated November 19, 2018, I explained that because Jacob failed all his tests and examination, he no longer was a “qualified service dog”. As a result, he would not be returning to their household.
MSSDS received a letter from the family dated November 20th as well as a voice message and an email from Ms. Vandewater dated December 5th and 7th respectively.
The Board then directed me to send a second letter to the Ms. Vandewater and Mr. Spanik which I did on December 7, 2018. I was very clear that MSSDS could not make any commitments regarding Jacob’s next placement.
How easy is it to train a dog for a particular set of services (autism for example), and then re-train it to offer different services (to someone with PTSD for example) afterward?
All Service Dogs are required to have the basic skill set of behaving themselves in public, we screen for aggression/reactivity, anxiety and fears. They must be fluent and proofed in all their behaviours. They must be trained to notice but ignore all distractions in public including but not limited to: vehicular traffic, people walking by, other dogs walking by, shopping carts, food on the floor, etc.
Once the dogs have been trained and proofed in as many environments as possible, we decide what job the dog will perform best at and train the 3 specific tasks required for that Handler. It can take 2 years (sometimes more) to start a dog, get them to certification with their Handler and finish placement lessons (which in itself can be 5-8 months).
Under what circumstances does MSSDS remove a dog from a client, and what protocols are observed for client care in the process of that removal?
Every circumstance is as different as each of our Handlers. Part of our job as the training school and placement organization is to ensure that the dog is not exhibiting undesirable behaviour, is being handled in a safe manner and working as a service dog. If any of these criteria are not being met, there is a complaint from the public or the custodian sends us a message then we look into it to see if there is a simple issue that can be resolved with more coaching of the Handler. If the issue is bigger and coaching will not resolve the issue, removal of the dog is critical for the safety of the Handler, the child, and Service Dog.
What kind of retraining or additional training did Jacob require?
Depending on the age of the dog, deterioration of their skills (amount of time it will take to re-train) and overall health determines whether a dog who has been removed can be re-trained and placed with a new Handler and if not, then the dog is retired and placed in a home suitable to the dog’s needs.
When will that training be completed?
Training is never done. Dogs are animals and their trained behaviours will deteriorate if Handlers do not practice behaviors regularly.
Was any prior notice given to the Spanik family that the dog would be removed?
The family was aware that a third party had reported concerns about the dog’s behavior. Once I observed the dog, I took him into my care but immediately advised the family that this would be discussed further once the Jacob was retested.
How long has MSSDS been operating in Nova Scotia, and what kinds of registrations and/or certifications is required to have by law to carry out its services?
MSSDS has been operating since March 2015. We are a registered non-profit organization which has been in good standing on the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stocks since 2015.
Does MSSDS stand by the manner in which it removed the dog from Emery, as an industry best practice or client care-based approach?
MSSDS had a contractual obligation to the family that clearly set out its corresponding obligations to assure the safety of children and the safety of its Service Dogs.
Is there a possibility that Jacob will be returned to Emery? If not, why, and if so, when?
No
Did MSSDS have evidence that the Jacob’s services were not benefitting Emery?
Yes
The Spanik family says that with Jacob, Emery was able to sleep better, reduce his anxiety and aggression, perform better at school and reduce his medications. What is MSSDS’s response to that?
Jacob failed to qualify as a Service Dog when he was retested on November 18, 2018.
What happens to Jacob now?
MSSDS is not at liberty to share this information.
What kind of experience does MSSDS have with training and pairing autism service dogs?
Our Past-President, Heather Logan, who trained and made placement decisions at the time placed the dog with Emery. She has been training Service Dogs for over 20 years and has placed several service dogs with autistic children. During my tenure as President of the Organization, we have not had a dog that is trained to the high standards we impose in order to place a dog with an autistic child nor have we had a family that is committed to the ongoing training regime that must be followed to ensure the safety of the child and the dog post placement.
Is it common practice in the service dog industry to make a young child the primary handler of a dog?
Yes. When a child is young, typically they will have a secondary handler (usually a parent or guardian).
What contractual stipulations govern the removal of a dog from a client?
We have provided a blank copy of the contract signed by Georgia Vandewater and Aaron Spanik prior to Jacob’s placement. You will note that the contract provides for the organization to take the dog back if there are concerns that the dog’s behavior may not be meeting the welfare requirements for the child or the Service Dog.
Does MSSDS have a code of ethics, and if so, may I receive a copy?
Please visit our website (www.maritimeservicedogs.org) and Facebook page.
Why was Jacob removed from the Spanik family?
Answered above.
As a result of this experience MSSDS has revised its Service Dog Placement Procedures. Our already stringent procedures include a formal application and interview process as well as a requirement for the Handler to learn how to maintain the Service Dog’s behaviours through consistent and appropriate training techniques. Handlers are also required to provide proof from their medical providers (depending on requirement and condition) that their condition is one that allows them to assume responsibility for a Service Dog while benefiting from the treatment offered. If the Handler is a child then the application and interview process will include the child’s guardians as these adults will be required to care and training the Service Dog on behalf of the child.