Service Dog Vest Trivia

We are in the process of introducing a mobility harness to Lily, who has worn a "standard" lightweight Service Dog vest for the first four years of her life.

Her basic vest is lightweight, has a pocket on either side, a strap under her chest and a second across the front.  The manufacturer embroidered the Freedom Dogs logo on each pocket and On Duty across her spine.  Because Freedom Dogs encourages interaction between the public and its dogs, no "Do Not Touch" patches or words are found anywhere on the vest.  These vests, by Raspberry Field, wash beautifully and are easy to maintain.

Now we are changing vests for Lily.  I am requiring more balance support and so I am looking for just the right fit for a vest that will accommodate this new need.  TLCAD uses the ActiveDogs padded vest for both the autistic children and the Marines that they serve.  There is a cloth handle running perpendicular across Lily's spine.  The straps are wider than those of the original vest and the chest strap, although adjustable, does not open.  The girth strap supports the handle and the pressure placed on the handle.

The vest itself is nicely padded and is heavier than the simple cloth vest.  The material, however, is the same.  The straps are not padded.  The harness has three O rings on the back and the company sells 2 types of mobility handles designed to attach to the O rings.  But, for Lily anyway, they would support downward pressure on her spine and are placed wrong to put downward pressure on her withers.  I called the company and asked if they could make an O ring adjustment for my dog and they could not.

I don't anticipate needing the handle or the downward balance pressure at this time.  But, it's an important consideration.  Jan uses the ActiveDog vest and had her shoe repair add the above mentioned O rings.  Because of the vest's fit on Nad, her handle accommodates her weight on Nad's withers.  It wouldn't work on Lily without major adjustment.

Active Dogs

Padded Vest

L

The other vest that I am considering is the Ruff Wear Web Master harness/vest.  It's appearance is totally different.  It is actually made for hiking and for assisting the dog.  It has weight is distributed between 5 points, instead of 3.  The majority of pressure is designed to be borne by the breastbone, where three straps converge.  All of the straps are padded.  The cloth handle runs parallel to Lily's spine.  The forward girth strap encircles her rib cage, the rear strap comes just in front of her hind legs.

I followed the sizing directions accompanying the Web Master and ordered the L/XL.  When I fitted the straps to her, I wasn't sure that this was the correct sizing for Lily and there were no sizing videos on the Ruff Wear website or on YouTube.  So I ordered a second Web Master, this time in M.  As soon as I put the M on Lily, I knew that this vest was too small.

This vest is taking a while for Lily to get used to wearing.  Sue uses the Web Master for both Stitch and Syn when doing water work and to assist in lifting them from the water into the boat.

ActiveDogs caters to service dogs (and other working dogs) and offers a variety of patches.  I opted to have their "Service Dog" patch sewn on to the back of the vest.  When it arrived, I placed an iron-on Freedom Dogs patch on each side.  The fabrics easily bonded.  I haven't subjected it to the laundry yet.

The Ruff Wear vest arrives as is.  IOW, neither company offers embroidery service, so both require patches, either sewn on or ironed on.  And neither has pockets.

The Active Dog vest/harness comes in a wider variety of colors.  The Web Master comes in red, black and grey only.

The iron on FD patches adhered nicely to the Web Master, but my attempt to glue the Service Dog patch with Patch Attach didn't work.  Guess I will have to find a place to have it sewn on.

Web Master

L/XL

Triangular Breast Pad

Web Master

M

The jury is still out as to which vest is the correct match for Lily and for my needs.

Lily's New Vest

Lily has a new vest.

It is a more substantial vest.  With a balance handle placed perpendicular to her spine.  It is heavier, but still not heavy.  The vest is padded; the straps wider.  It buckles on the opposite side.  Changes for us both.

One thing I questioned before the vest arrived was the amount of lateral movement that would be involved.  When using the handle while walking, there is none.  I have not yet used the handle for assistance in rising from a chain and am wondering how I will use Lily....where she will be positioned.

The dynamics of a balance handle are interesting.  I am lifting for balance.  Because of Lily's size, the handle is at hand height when I am standing and walking.  If the optional 8 - 16" handle were attached, I would be pushing for balance.

(Yes, the Service Dog patch arrived sewed on a bit off center.)

Because I have had busy houseguests since the arrival of the vest, I have not taken time yet to experiment with its use or its potential benefits.  I have not used it yet to assist in rising from a chair.  I am finding myself using a shopping cart for balance assist more and more when out in public.  Yesterday, when Lily wore the vest in public for the first time, I pushed a shopping cart, had Lily on my left in her new vest.  In that situation I did not use the handle, except for occasional touch/lift, in a training mode.

Robin Walters and I have been discussing vests recently.  Because of severe back issues, she is re-training Jonathan to work on her right side and finding it slow going.....when Jonathan is in harness.  She uses her 12" bridge handle differently than I will.  Guide dogs pull.  Robin uses a hands free leash and carries a cane.  And Jonathan.  She has been doing this for 30 years.  Now she not only is re-orienting Jonathan.  She is also re-orienting herself.  In comparison, Lily and I will be only making small changes.

Changing the role of the vest will be different for us both.  And I want to do it right from the beginning.  Think it through.  I work Lily on both my left and right sides, but the left is our predominant side.  In introducing and using the balance handle on the new vest, I want both sides to become equally strong.  So I will teach both sides from the beginning.

Jan Greenberg uses this vest with Nad.  Jan has a 12" bridge handle attached.  I have never watched Nad work in this vest, so don't know whether Jan uses it as a pulling harness or if she places a pushing, downward pressure.  I have seen Jan demonstrate the harness handle, but have not watched it used.

Tender Loving Canines uses this vest in their work with both autistic children as well as their adult handlers.  Karen Shultz and I have discussed its various uses in these contexts.  She, too, will be a good resource.

Interesting work ahead, then.  I don't yet know if it's going to be simple or complex.



Padded vest with handle:  Active Dogs.  The detachable bridge handles are described separately.