The comments above about service dog certification got me to wondering what was involved.  Of course having this handy-dandy tool called the internet makes accessing information much easier than it was when I was in college in the early 80's.  So I ran a Yahoo search for service dogs and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  I was surprised by what I found.

There is NO certification process for service dogs.  To be a service dog 3 requirements must be met.  First, the person with the dog must meet the ADA definition of having a disability.  Second, the dog must be "individually trained" to assist the person with the disability.  Third, the person must be able to explain how the dog assists them.  There is no requirement that the dog be trained by a school or professional trainer.  No id is required of the owner nor animal.  If a person falsely portrays a dog as a service animal it is a violation of federal law and is punishable by fine or jail.  Here's a link to info on the ADA website:  http://www.ada.gov/svcabrpt.pdf

By these guidelines Freyja would qualify as a service dog.  I meet the legal definition of blindness, even though I do have some vision left.  Freyja has been individually trained by me to perform tasks such as stopping at curbs and steps, walking to the left, moving off the road when traffic approaches, following someone we are walking with, etc.  And of course I can explain how she helps me.  I knew Freyja helped me a lot, but never thought she qualified as a service animal.  We still have a lot of work to do together to get her where I want her to be.  We both enjoy working with each other, so it's more like fun than work.

Of course I started this thread to talk about the beauty of a Doberman walking in the heel position beside its handler.  Is there anything as beautiful as a proud, confident Doberman Pinscher?