DOVER — You’ve probably heard of training programs for service dogs. But have you ever heard of an organization that supports the long-term care of service dogs?
Brendan Madden founded the New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs in 2018. It’s a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit to help owners provide the best quality of life to working service dogs through education and fundraising.
Madden saw a serious need for the support of service dogs after he was placed with his first service dog in 2005. Japhy performed essential tasks for Madden, who has a developmental disability from a traumatic brain injury.
Madden has difficulty bending down and picking up items if he drops them, opening doors and walking long distances.
“He was everything. He was my buddy,” said Madden.
Madden faced expensive veterinary bills for Japhy and was unable to find any support in New Hampshire. He felt compelled to help others, so he started NHCSSD.
Many people donate to organizations who train and place service dogs. “They think maybe that’s the end of the story. But it’s not the end,” said Madden.
The nonprofit heavily focuses on educating service dog owners, businesses and the general public about rights service dogs have to enter public establishments through the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Service animals may enter any public establishment their owner would, as long as it does not fundamentally alter the services or goods to be provided to the public, such as a sanitary environment in an emergency department, according to the ADA. Service dogs may enter shops, grocery stores, hospitals, schools, restaurants and more.
A misconception is service dogs are required to wear vests, said Madden, which is untrue, according to the ADA, which states the vests are not required in order to avoid discrimination against people with disabilities. A big challenge is the confusion between service dogs and emotional support animals. Service dogs are protected under federal and state laws to ensure they may enter buildings with their owners who need immediate assistance.
Emotional support animals do not have the same legal protections. In recent years, there has been much confusion Madden said.
Aaron Anderson, a Marine Corps veteran who completed tours in 2006 and 2011 in Iraq and Afghanistan, got Arvin, his German shepherd service dog, two years ago. He is disabled by post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Anderson trained Arvin, as he’s had experience with police dogs. Since then, he’s received educational training from NHCSSD.
“Brendan and the organization have helped me big time on the education side of things,” said Anderson.
NHCSSD taught him the laws protecting Arvin and himself, such as Arvin not being required to wear a vest.
Anderson shared what Arvin has done for him.
“Oh god, he saved my life,” said Anderson.
Arvin is trained to go first into rooms to ensure it’s safe and lay on Anderson to give him deep pressure therapy when he is experiencing a panic attack, which regulates his heart rate. Anderson can also command Arvin when he feel his anxiety increasing, and Arvin will nuzzle him.
Anderson attends emotional self-regulation classes at the Manchester VA Medical Center, and having Arvin go with him, “made it so much easier,” he said.
Through a statewide coalition of 67 businesses that are members of NHCSSD, the nonprofit works to raise awareness. NHCSSD is a member of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, and Madden often attends chamber events to connect with businesses and share his mission.
Funding is always a challenge, said Madden, but he is working to partner with businesses to raise funds. Revo Casino and Social House of Dover from Dec. 17-26 will donate 35% of table game revenue through charitable gaming.
Madden said NHCSSD’s ultimate goal is to provide financial assistance for veterinary bills. Currently, he is working to add board members for the nonprofit.
“The service dogs help bring you to the next level of your life,” said Madden.
