about us

Description: Animated Smiley face

HELPERDOGS & Judith and Carl Sacks

HELPERDOGS started because we noticed there were too many
disabled people on very low incomes who wanted or were using
Service Dogs. Affording equipment was difficult for many of them.
We began by making vests and kool kollars and other basic
equipment at the lowest possible costs. As HELPERDOGS
became known and our quality recognized, more and more people
began emailing with questions about equipment and how it should
fit their dogs and themselves.

Then the emails broadened asking training questions, federal and
state laws and help with access problems. We answered every
email and then realized the need for a more organized method of
helping Owner Trainers train their own Service Dogs. The
HELPERDOGS "Home Schooling Course" was the first to begin.
Although we had great trepidation it was successful. We are now
expanding and will be offering both the original "Home Schooling
Course" and new two week "short courses" which are topic specific.

If we can think "it" we can accomplish "it" with help. That is what
HELPERDOGS is all about. Hopefully we will network with our
original students buddying up with newcomers. All of us will
ultimately help each other making the United States Service Dog
Community a great one to live in. A journey starts with a single
step - HELPERDOGS took its first step in 1998, slowly, cautiously,
and carefully.

JUDITH: I have been disabled with Fribromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Chronic Pain since 1992. Until 1996 I was also an equestrian
competitor and trainer. I have been training my pet dogs all my life
and now help People with Disabilities to train their own Service Dogs.
I am especially interested in Service Dogs for People With Disabilities
who need help with ambulatory mobility (walking) or are in wheelchairs
and need help with their daily lives. I am also interested in Psychiatric
Service Dogs who help People With Emotional Disabilities to regain their
independence and active lives.

I have two Boxer Mobility Service Dogs who help me keep my
independence. I am totally convinced that People With Disabilities
can train their own Service Dogs and should be given the respect and
responsibility to do so. I also firmly believe that there is no reason
a Person With a Disability can't train their own pet/companion do or
prepare a dog for competitive Obedience Trials.

My current goals are to help People With Disabilities train their own
dogs, help to set realistic goals, and to develop individual training
programs for each person.

I am also very much involved in making equipment for Service
Dogs customized for the dog's comfort and safety as well as for
the Disabled Person's needs.

CARL: I retired in February 2000 from a job I held for over 37 years
in computer technology. My college education was in engineering a
nd Uncle Sam kindly taught me to be a mechanic during my time in
the Armed Forces.

I am interested in the technical aspects of creating and producing
equipment for Service Dogs, keeping the costs down, and the product
excellent. Most importantly I stand by what I make. If there is
a problem, I will endeavor to fix it to the satisfaction of the client.
I am able to listen to what clients want and need. Then I offer my
viewpoints as to how I can meet or improve upon what they
envision. I continue to look for the strongest materials which are
lightest for the dogs and most reliable for the people when
producing Service Dog equipment.

Established 1998