Health and Welfare Check List when traveling with a service dog
(or any canine companion).

Our house is going on the market soon and prep work is in full force. Hearing Dog Cherelle also needs her prep work planned. While not exciting or glam stuff it needs to be done. The “to do list” includes the following:

Arrange for a snake bite shot. She and I will be walking in areas of the country where rattle snakes are prevalent and dogs having shots for snake bite have a better chance of making it to the vet and successfully being treated than do dogs not having had the shot.  This is important because I will not be able to hear the rattling warning and Cherelle, being curious and wanting to show me sounds, might get too close. My feeling is better safe than sorry.

Order a supply of her medications including syringes for her arthritis treatment. This also includes over the counter medications for flea and tick treatment, joint chews, probiotics and something for diarrhea.  Print up a copy of her medical records.  It is a given that at one point during our travels she will get sick.  After all we will too. Been there done that!

Check due dates for vaccines in case any expire while we are traveling.  Find vet care in the nearest town for the time the vaccines are due.

Check Canadian laws, specifically in BC, governing service dogs and what papers are necessary when crossing the border with a dog.  We have included a trip to visit our northern neighbors across the border so this will be important.  U.S. laws may differ from Canadian laws. U.S. does not require physical proof showing that a dog is certified to be a service dog. This may not hold true in another country.

Well that should keep the two of us busy for a bit.

Tail wags.