Linda here - Wondering exactly what you are getting into when you begin thinking about applying for a special skills dog? From information taken from at least two Web sites, I've gleaned some of the more important items you should maybe consider before you even think of applying.

• You or your partner must be willing and able to look after a dog's complete physical and emotional wellbeing...nothing to be sneezed at!
• Speaking of sneezing.. are you allergic to dog dander or saliva? Most training centres will work with standard poodles.
• You will be required to travel (and it could be at your own expense) to a training centre and spend two weeks learning to manage the assist dog's behavior and to direct the dog to respond to commands.
• If all goes well, you will have the dog for its life. It is not something you can take on easily, it is like a marriage but tighter because as long as the dog is able to work, it will be with you.
• You may be required to take additional training from time to time and be checked on how you and your dog manage in public settings.
• Remember, you and your dog are a team and if it is established that you cannot physically manage your dog, you could be a candidate for an assisted service team whereby someone in your family works with you to care for and direct the dog.
• Dogs are usually provided free of charge but you pay personal expenses in some cases but not everywhere.
• Not all places train dogs for children, ask around.
• Dogs can also be trained to detect seizures.

There are organizations that train special skills or service dogs in many countries. The list at http://www.assistance-dogs-intl.org/memlist.html lists people in the U.S.A., Canada, England, Japan, Spain, Germany and Australia.

If you can't locate a centre near you talk to the people at your local veterinary clinic, services for the blind or independent living centre. If you have access to the Internet look under assist dogs, assistance dogs, service dogs and special skills dogs. All topics have different and overlapping information.