Gift Guide for Service Dog Users
As the holidays are approaching I thought I would put together a gift guide for guide dog handlers and their friends.
Eve sitting on a bench in front of a decorated Christmas tree.
Gift cards to Chewy, Amazon, PetSmart, PetCo, Ruffwear etc: Getting gift cards to these wonderful places is bound to make your guide dog handler friend happy, as there are many goods and services that can be provided by these merchants.
Subscription to BarkBox or Bullymake: A subscription to BarkBox or bullymake would be a great gift for any guide dog handler, as they carry toys of many different strengths.
Dog Treats: As has been mentioned in previous posts for some in the guide dog handler community they choose to use treats to reinforce positive behavior. I personally use Charlee Bears to achieve this goal, but if you are looking to get treats for your guide dog handler friend it is good to ask them what they choose to use in this regard as each dog and handler’s needs and preferences are different.
Poop bags: No matter the handler getting your guide dog handler friend this box of poop bags will be much appreciated. I have been using this brand of poop bags for years with my pet dog before getting Eve and have loved their quality.
Sandwich bags: Now, you may be wondering why I am recommending getting your guide dog handler friend sandwich bags? If your guide dog handler friend is quite the traveler, having an extra set of sandwich bags will come in handy as they fit a portion of their dogs meals in them quite nicely, while also helping the handler not have to portion out their dogs meals once reaching their final destination.
Musher’s Secret: If your friend or family member lives in a hot climate they might appreciate having a canister of Musher’s Secret as it is a great alternative to the dog's booties. Musher’s Secret is a jelly-like substance that is a barrier to the hot ground that goes directly on the dogs paw pads.
Cooling Mat: Continuing on the topic of living in hot climates, if your friend or family member lives in a hot climate it might be a good idea to get them a cooling mat. I personally have used Coleman Comfort Cooling Gel Pet Pad , Dog and Cat Supplies ,Non-Toxic ,24x30 Inches for Eve. It is also easy to travel with as you can fold it up small to fit in a suitcase.
Toys: When choosing toys as gifts for your guide dog handler friend it’s good to ask them which toys they prefer to use as each dog's needs are different. One toy brand that I trust is @nylabone as they are usually indestructible and have many different sizes.
Hand Sanitizer: One thing as a guide dog handler that I find good to keep on hand is a bottle of hand sanitizer, as I often am picking up poop and on occasions having to clean up other messes. Two brands of hand sanitizer that I love to use to get such jobs done are the hand sanitizers from Grove Collaborative or Touch Land.
Bandanas: Not all handlers will choose to use bandana’s or dress their dogs, so it is important to ask them their preferences. I choose to use bandanas in certain situations to help Eve stay festive during certain events. Some of the places that I usually get my bandana’s from are The Froggy Dog or the many small businesses on ETSY because of the quality of their bandanas.
Making a tax-deductible donation to the organization that your friend or family member got their guide dog: In many cases one can make a tax-deductible donation to the organization in which your friend or family member got their guide dog from in their honor. In most cases this just means going on that organization's website and looking for the donate button. When making your individual donation it may ask if you want to make the donation in someone’s honor. To some this gift will mean more than physical items because you are making a difference in not only your friends life, but many others.
