Every Schnauzer needs a partner in crime! Meet Martini—our focused, task-trained K9 Service Dog—and Kahlua—our advanced obedience graduate, housebroken snuggle lover, and Emotional Support Animal (ESA).
Watch Martini execute real-world item retrieval training—picking up dropped keys off the floor and delivering them directly to her handler.
Martini Service K9 Task Demonstration: Key RetrievalMiniature Schnauzer | Task-Trained Service Dog
Focused, vigilant, and disciplined. Martini is individually task-trained under ADA Title II & III to perform real-world medical interruption, leg-shaking alerts, watch-back support in crowds, and item retrieval.
Chocolate Schnauzer | Advanced Obedience Grad & ESA
Housebroken, polite, and an Advanced Obedience graduate! Kahlua successfully completed Entry-Level Puppy, Intermediate, and Advanced Obedience training. We originally thought she would be a medical alert service dog for my wife's rare heart condition. However, with her social butterfly personality, she proved she is a much better Emotional Support Animal (ESA) than a public-access service dog—and that's totally fine!
We originally thought Kahlua would be a great medical alert service dog for my wife and her rare heart condition. Kahlua was dedicated—she is 100% housebroken and successfully worked her way through Entry-Level Puppy Training, Intermediate Obedience, and Advanced Obedience classes!
However, Little Miss Social Butterfly had other plans! It turns out she's a world-class snuggler, a total lover, wants to meet everyone and everything, and loves to talk! While public-access service work requires strict neutral focus around strangers, Kahlua's joyful, affectionate personality proved she was born to be the ultimate Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and chief morale booster for our family and NAMI board meetings.
And that's totally fine! Finding a dog's true calling and honoring their natural temperament over a working label is what happy partnerships are all about.
Martini and Kahlua in need of a groom, sitting on the couch—probably up to no good!Photo Gallery
Real moments from home, NAMI board meetings, and everyday adventures!
Martini and Kahlua in need of a groom sitting on the couch, probably up to no good.
Kahlua when we first met her.
Martini and Kahlua, the dynamic duo!
Kahlua helping me take notes at a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) board meeting.
Kahlua and those amazing eyes.
Learn about ADA Title II & III regulations, owner-training rights, the 2 legal questions allowed, and rebuttals to common public misconceptions on our dedicated FAQ page.
Specialized Training
Martini is trained to notice and interrupt nail picking by nudging my hand and redirecting my attention.
When my leg begins bouncing, Martini alerts and helps interrupt the behavior before stress keeps building.
In public, Martini remains oriented behind me while I focus on what is happening in front of me.
She can position herself to create a small physical buffer when people crowd too close.
Martini practices retrieving dropped or needed items, including my keys.
Stores, restaurants, stadiums, airports, crowds, and other everyday environments are part of her continuing work.
Training Journey
Martini as a pup.
Martini and Barlow's first meet—he's passing the torch to take care of the family.
My frosted martini glass, my drink of choice to cope; now I cope with a 4-legged Martini.
Her watching my back in the grocery store.
Video of Martini practicing key picking up.
Our graduation from Canine Good Citizen testing.
A day at Disneyland.
Martini and my work boots—talking about how Barlow left her with big boots to fill.
