By: Cheryl Angelelli
Joyful chaos. That’s how I explain being a dog mom to three fur babies while navigating the world as a wheelchair user. There’s something about the goofy zoomies, squeaky toys stuck in the couch, head tilts, and tail wags that can’t help but make you smile and lift your spirits even when you’ve had a rough day.
My family includes Charlie, a 12-year-old Shih Tzu; Mylo, a four-year-old Cavapoo; and Finn, a two-year-old Havapoo. While caring for a dog with a disability requires planning, creative problem solving, and sometimes assistance, I wouldn’t change it for the world. The unconditional love and joy they bring to my life are immeasurable.
Having had seven dogs in the last 22 years, all while being a wheelchair user, I’ve learned a lot, so I’ve compiled my top dog care tips and disability-friendly products to make life easier for other wheelchair users and disabled pet parents. While every person’s disability and circumstances are unique, I hope you’ll find some valuable takeaways.
Feeding Products
As an incomplete quadriplegic with limited hand function and trunk control, leaning forward to place food and water for my dogs on the floor is difficult. Instead, I use an elevated platform that houses their food and water. Not only is it great for me, but it can be beneficial for your dog’s digestion and take some strain off their neck and back. The platform also ensures that their bowls don’t tip or spill. If an elevated platform is still too low for you, you might want to consider an automatic feeder; some even connect to your Wi-Fi and allow you to schedule meals from your phone.
Training
Teaching your dog basic commands like “Come,” “Sit,” and “Stay” helps maintain control and ease day-to-day care. My three dogs are small to medium in size and I have also taught them “Up.” When I pat my lap and say “Up,” they jump on my lap while I’m in my wheelchair. This makes petting them, grooming them, and giving them kisses and treats easier than bending down to reach them. Training is also a fun way to bond with your dog. Consider taking a class where you and your dog can socialize with others or browse the internet for free online training videos.
Hands-Free Dog Walking
Dog walking was a real challenge for me. My dog’s leash always seemed to end up tangled in my wheels until our dog trainer came up with a great solution. She suggested we try a hands-free dog leash used for bicycles. Instead of attaching it to a bike frame, it attaches perfectly to my wheelchair frame. You can see how well it works in this video.
Food Storage Containers
I absolutely love our dry food storage containers. They have an easy flip-top, wheels, and a large handle that helps me pull them out of our pantry. We also have some smaller flip-top containers for their treats.
Long-handle Grabbers
My three dogs have a ton of toys. Long-handle grabbers are great for picking up toys from the floor. They also have long-handle pooper scoopers for cleaning up your dog’s waste outside. (Luckily, that duty falls onto my husband!)
Pill Pockets
Whenever I have to dispense medication to my dogs, pill pockets are a must. My dogs hate taking medicine and no matter what we hide it in…peanut butter, a hotdog, or cheese… they always seem to eat around it to avoid swallowing the medication. Pill pockets are hollow soft treats that you place the pill in and pinch the top of the treat closed. My dogs love them. It still requires some hand dexterity, so if my husband is traveling for work and I’m home alone, he pre-loads them for me and places them in an airtight container for me to dispense and we’re good to go.
Delivery Service
With three dogs we go through a lot of dog food. Using an auto-ship delivery service for our dog food and other pet essentials is a real time saver for me.
Choosing the Right Dog for Your Family
Adding a dog to your family is a commitment, and there are a few things you should take into consideration—for example, the age of the dog. A puppy is super active and a lot of work compared to an older dog who may already be potty-trained. Breed is another consideration; some breeds have coats that need to be brushed daily and groomed every six to eight weeks. Also give some thought to the breeds’ temperament and energy level. Does the breed require a lot of daily exercise or a moderate amount? The dog’s activity level should match your lifestyle.
There are so many dogs looking for a forever home. A great place to start and a service I have used in the past is Petfinder.com. The online platform helps people find adoptable pets from animal shelters and rescue groups across the country. Users can search for adoptable pets using filters like age, size, breed, location, and more.
In addition to adopting, service dogs can assist people with disabilities by performing specific tasks to help improve a person’s independence or quality of life. Two well-known service dog organizations are Paws With A Cause and Canine Companions. Visit their websites to learn more about the role of service dogs, cost, eligibility, and the application process.
Don’t let a disability discourage you from experiencing the unconditional love, unwavering loyalty, endless laughter, and joy that a furry best friend can bring to your life.
