The Last G REATThing

Retiring your service dog

by Jan Blaustone

Anyone who has a service dog will agree that the first day home with your new partner is like no other. Akin to adopting a child, your thoughts are ecstatic and you embrace every subsequent minute until it’s time for Fido’s retirement and you are left wondering where all the time went.

Thankfully, the end of your aging service dog’s working days doesn’t necessarily mean that he will leave you. But how do you know when your devoted partner is ready to retire from his

or her job — and what happens then? How do you transition to a new service dog, assuming you want one?

Keeping going

A good question to ask at any point in your dog’s working life is: How can you keep your partner healthy and working as long as possible?

What separates aging service dogs from the average family pet is that service dogs generally are large-breed

dogs genetically prone to hip and joint problems later in life — and they’ve been working hard up until retirement.

The simplest plan to extend your partner’s working life is an easy and affordable one.

“Weight is the one thing we can control and it’s a big factor in your partner retiring at 8 — earlier for wheelchair pulling dogs — versus 10 or 11,” says Kent Bruner, veterinarian for Canine Assistants, a non-profit service dog provider in Milton, Ga.

Clinical studies sponsored by Purina show that when working dogs are kept at a lower weight throughout their lives, they average two extra years of healthy, active living as opposed to same-breed dogs (pets) that are overweight, says Bruner.

“When dogs are fat, it’s hard on their joints and organs. It’s harder for them to regulate body heat and sur-geries are more risky. It’s not unlike humans,” says Bruner. “It’s the same story my doctor tells me.”

Weight can sneak up on both you and your dog. Is your belt at the same notch? Is his vest still fitting?

“You want to see a defined waist and easily feel the dog’s ribs,” says Bruner. “We recommend weighing your dog monthly when you give him his heartworm preventative.”

Veterinarian Blake Malone, Nashville, Tenn., agrees. “Dogs are exactly like people. The more obese they become, the more arthritic they become.”

Malone recommends keeping working dogs on a lower-calorie diet, providing regular exercise and giving prescribed supplements including a dietary supplement of omega- 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( anti-inflammato-ry). “This will increase life span up to 20 percent,” he says. “But you need to begin when they’re young adults, not 5 or 6.”

A low-impact exercise program (no