Perhaps Miss Reinkemeyer should donate $20,000 to her local Democratic club, and have it earmarked for Nixon’s gubernatorial campaign. I hear that makes your troubles instantly vanish.

I was questioned by Todd Bickle of the MO attorney general’s office because we received a diabetes alert dog through HSP. We asked for, and got a fully trained dog. We did not wish to opt for the training program because we knew the dog’s training only started at HSP, would have to be completed by our family and it could takes months or even a year or longer — just as it does to train guide dogs, seizure dogs, and police dogs. This as a case brought reluctantly by the AG, because of daily, intense pressure by one particular family who began contacting other clients and applying pressure to get them to join in the allegations.

HSP makes a very clear distinction between fully trained dogs and dogs-in-training. It is in HSP contracts and on the HSP website.

HSP offers a unique program that teaches others how to train their own dogs — it takes hours of work and a dedication many families may not be up for. Several families who took the class seemed to strongly believe by the end of the class the dog should have been fully-trained.

Training service animals takes 1-2 years of dedication by the trainer. No service animal can be trained in three weeks and HSP never made any representations to that end.

Until a court decision is rendered, it is important for all consumers to remember anyone can file complaints and allegations and it is up to the courts to decide if they are valid. For the handful of folks who attended classes expecting miracles that were not promised, I find it very sad that they may be tainting a reputable organization and the chances of others benefitting from a diabetes alert dog. I also find it very curious the complaints are also brought about by members of a competing organization.

I have also received a diabetic alert service dog from HSP. I also cannot understand how some can suppossedly read and sign a contract in addition to read information that has been clearly posted on HSP’s website, and still think that at the end of their 3 week class they will have a fully trained diabetic alert service dog. As with Laura, I know from personal experience that it takes much longer than 3 weeks to train a service dogh. In addition to that I sent letters to both Mr Dixon and to the case investigator at the AG’s office and never got a response. Kind of makes me wonder whether the AG’s office is really interested in the truth. The diabetic alert service dog that I received from HSP has been the best thing that has happened to inprove the care of my type 1 diabetes. She alerts to 95%+ of ALL of my low blood sugars (and I have a lot), and is one of the best trained service dogs around. She has saved my life on more than one occassion. Why would anyone want to mess that up for others to benefit from is beyond me.

I would like to say that my son received a service dog from Heaven Scent Paws in February of this year. Our dog alerts and has done a wonderful job of helping us to monitor our son’s blood sugar levels. This dog has been a blessing for our family and I would not trade him for anything in this world.

It is my express wish that the Attorney General try to take the time from his busy schedule to speak with other individuals that have completed the Heaven Scent Paws program so that he could see that if you follow what you were instructed or advised from the time you began this process until now, you would see the correct results of this program. This was clearly stated from the beginning of this process of obtaining a service dog that the dog we received would not be a fully trained dog after the three week class we attended but a work in progress.

I would also like to express that it is my opinion that this has been a vendetta by people who are simply jealous of Ms. Reinkemeyer and the program she has worked so hard to build and share with others who have diabetic loved ones.

I second the comment made by Ms. Henninger that I think that this is ludicrous that one small group of individuals who have a seperate agenda with a competing organization can wreak this much havoc on one person who did nothing but attempt to help them and their loved ones.

I apologize, but I forgot to ask a question.
To the Attorney General, when I sent in my letter to your office along with a video of how my son’s service dog acts and trains, I never got a response indicating what you thought. So does that mean that because we were supporting HSP, our information was simply file thirteened in the round basket?

Dearest AG,

What ever happened to hearing BOTH sides of a story??? I’m a college educated woman and this entire story sounds a bit bias to me. Are you taking sides without even consulting with other individuals who have been through HSP and have had success and a better life now to live because of them? I sent in a letter to your office and asked for someone to give me a call and question me on my experience. My husband called and talked to Mr. Brickle and he stated that he would call him back with further questions as needed, but obviously the complaints were better publicity to get your office noticed and in the lime-light and so it’s better to side with and roll with negativity because it sure as h*** gets more attention! Isn’t it ironic to you that all the individuals (mostly females…drama… and one male) who are filing these complaints are now ALL working alongside and with one of HSP’s business competitors. Now you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to put that one together!

I received a Diabetic Alert Service Dog from HSP this past Feb. I maintained tomyself in class and just fucosed on what I was there to attain, a dog taht I would bond with and continue to work with to further enhance his/her alerting skills, as I knew from the day that I applied to HSP that I WASN”T getting a fully trained dog. I knew that it was going to take continuous work on my part when I got back home and taht the alerts would slowly beging and grow stroinger as I bonded with my dog and continued working with him/her at home for months to come.

Kora, my Service Dog from HSP, is a gentle giant and she has saved my life on more than several occassions. She alerts me to my highs and lows and although she isn’t 100%, which I don’t expect her to be, I can tell you that with the daily work and exercise taht I do with her, she has come a LONG way from the time she came home with us. She doesn’t just alert me, she alerts my husband and my 5 y/o daughter. Kora has been in many social events, from weddings, to high social functions with other service dogs and she was recognized as the Service Dog with the best obedience and they even saw her alert to my needs at the function. Now how can you tell me that HSP dogs DON”T work.

Let’s do the equation here. All the dogs are trained the same way through HSP. All dogs were given at the same time (at least the first round) in the Feb. 2008 class, then people started b******* and complaining that they didn’t like their dog, that their dog didn’t work with them, that their dog was this or that. Well, how is that that when ALL the dogs are trained in the same way, most are working and others “aren’t”??? Why don’t you question the way that these individuals who are making all these complaints, have actually continued training with their HSP dogs once back at home? It’s like potty training a child, which as a good parent we all would know that it takes TIME, practice, patience and diligent work. It sure as h*** doesn’t magically just happen. Theses individuals making the complaints weren’t even home from the Feb. 2008 training class for a month and they were already filing complaints. How fair was/is that to HSP or did those individuals have a set out agenda from the get go????

I’ve truly benefited more than 100% from Kora and my association with HSP and I stand for and fight for what I believe to be right and so until a higher authority renders an otherwise decision perhaps eyes should be opened and mouths closed. Everyone has a right to their opinion, but don’t let your opinions hinder a person who might need help against this horrible disease of Type 1 Diabetes that they batle with daily.

You’ve got my e-mail address, PLEASE feel free to contact me at anytime!

I too attended the February class and did witness the group of people that did not seem to be satisfied. I also seen the entire staff of HSP go above and beyond to satisfy these people. I can not speak as to the specific reasons they were not satisfied. I can say that my son’s dog is genuine and has been a blessing. This comes with the training,time,and hard work. The list could easily be longer and that would be fine since it is for my son. The three week class was simply to prepare you for what was to come and was made very clear. I would also like to give an opinion. My opinion is the money used for these dog’s was raised through fund raising for the training,the dog,but ultimately the diabetic. How could anyone ask for a monetary settlement when the money used was not theirs and was given with the love and generosity of many. This does not include the time,effort,compassion,support,ability,knowledge,and so on given by HSP staff.

This is absurd. My son has a service dog that saves his life every day. In order for the dog to alert, it must be trained everyday. It breaks my heart to see someone so loving who tries to make life better for others be attacked. Mr. Nixon better do his homework on this one.

I can not believe this is happening. I guess the squeaky wheel does get the grease. Out of hundreds of people you have 2 maybe 3 people who are not satisfied with the dog they got and now all the sudden HSP can not train dogs. That is the most ridicules thing I have ever heard of. Not to mention these same people are working with the competitor. This is just politics at work. If the AG is picking up on this and taking it forward then I must question the ability of their office and wonder if there is not a hidden agenda. You show me one, just one, business that has 100% satisfaction rate. You are always going to have some people who want something for nothing. If you would read your contract you might just find that there is a section in it that states the dogs are not fully trained and you would have to continue the training. If you wanted a fully trained dog then you should have selected that option with HSP. I think this is going to backfire on the AG when this goes to court because there are going to be A LOT of people there to testify for HSP and all he is going to have is 2 or 3 people on his side, not very good odds.

I “will be” receiving a Seizure Alert Dog from HSP in the near future and can not believe the controversy going on from just one persons opinion on what their dog did or did not do.

It states on the web page that is is a dog in training. How can you apply for a dog and not read the web page. It states it again in the paperwork they send you to read over and in the contract that you sign. This is three different places you can’t tell me they missed all three of them. It tells you that this is a dog in training not a full alert dog. That you will have to do more work at home.

You do not just take it home and say “Go to work” “Ok do your thing”. This is not a vacuum cleaner that you just press the on button and it works. You have to plug it in and move it around the house and do some of the work as well. You cant expect to get a dog and it work for you from day one after just having it for two weeks.

My family and I are on HSP’s side and will be right there by their side the whole way through to the best of our ability here in Texas.

Jewl,

Information on Seizure Response/Alert Dogs
http://www.homestead.com/Tagert/MsJewl.html

I think the fact the two suits were filed - one against HSP and another against the “owner” Michele R. says it all loud and clear; this is a personal vendetta. HSP is a 501(c)(3) founded by Reinkemeyer, it is fully incorporated and run by a large board of directors. She, nor anyone else owns HSP — as a corporation it is its own entity. Yet, the complainers chose to single her out and make it a personal suit — not a business issue. I fail to see how she can even be sued personally. Isn’t that why people incorporate businesses in the first place?

Those who complained created several websites like heavescentpawshe***.com and proceeded to spit out personal accusations against Michele and her family — not fact based, or even fact-finding, and hid behind fake names. Just nasty stuff, personal, not at all like a customer who had been wronged, but one who simply had an axe to grind. The woman who started all this even contacted me not knowing I was very happy with our child’s wonderful service dog and trying to convince me I was duped.

Any adult that will attack innocent children with slander and lies about them, calling their character into play, which is what those complaining have done, isn’t someone looking for justice. It is someone looking for revenge.

By the way, sin’t it election year for the AG in Missouri? Maybe the handful that started all this screamed loud to get your attention, but you have yet to hear the voice of the true masses — those whose kid’s lives have been saved over and over again by HSP dogs. We can scream pretty darn loud, too.

I am also a client of HSP. However, I have had a very different experience. I was in class with some of the others that left comments. I am truly thankful that these 7 received a dog that does alert - that is what all of us raised money for and worked hard for and sacrificed for and had our expectations and hopes set on. We all have children who suffer daily from this disease and we will use whatever resources that are available for fight for a better life for our children.
For some, HSP’s program was a positive experience. That is wonderful!
But, for my daughter, the experience was NOT positive and we were unable to receive the help that we desparately needed. Our dog did not alert and was aggressive towards friends, family, strangers in the mall, people in our church congregation, vets - anyone OTHER than my daughter! We do not want anything other than for HSP to make things right! We sought for help and received none. Our dog was evaluated by professionals whom we thought could help us since we did not receive the help we needed from HSP. We were told that our dog had fear/ aggresssion/ trust issues that were part of WHO she was and that could NOT be over come. Our vet was OUTRAGED that such a dog would be placed in a home with children - and as a service animal!! we had incomplete vet records on the dog and could not get needed info from HSP. The dog has been returned to HSP.
On top of all that, my oldest daughter was awaiting the upcoming class to train with my granddaughter. Between my 2 daughters, my family is responsible for approximately $20,000 in donations to HSP. My oldest daughter responded to HSP’s own offer to “‘back out’ if the program is not what you are interested in.” After seeing the dog her younger sister came home with, my oldest responded to HSP that they would like to transfer to another agency that could better meet their needs. She had signed NO CONTRACT, received NO GOODS OR SERVICES - but NO MONEY WAS REDIRECTED or REFUNDED. We have no dog.
I wish that my daughter and my granddaughter had a dog like the others have described. But, they do not. We do not have a success story. It is my understanding that one of the roles of the office of the Attorney General is to help those consumers who do not have a success story and cannot get the company to provide satisfactory help. Several families are counting on that help. We expected no ‘miracles’, but only what was (at that time) promised on the HSP website, “a highly trained diabetic alert dog”. That promise has since been removed from the site. We do NOT want to mess things up for others, but only to bring restitution to those who were not satisfied with the product/ service they received.
For some of us who DID follow all directions given, we did not get the results others received nor the help that they received . . .but, I agree with Barbara, the Attorney General should speak with as many individuals as possible to assess this case. Ultimatley, however, his office works to help those who did not have a satisfactory experience. His office does not need to assist those who received a working alert dog - they have exactly what we all were searching for!
To those with success stories, again, I say “Congratulations. I’m truly thankful that you got what you were looking for!”

My daughter has a service dog from Heaven Scent Paws and we,(her father and I) could not be more satisfied. We have had a very good experience with Michele personally and with her thru the company in which she founded. We have had issues come up with our dog and her alerting has stopped or slowed down, Michele has always been right on top of explaining what WE HAVE DONE to cause the alerting to change. These things are very simple things that you wouldn’t think would cause problems but they did.

Michele has always been willing to help and make whatever changes needed to create the best possible team that she can. I personally witnessed her bending over backwards to make clients happy when they were asking for the near impossible or highly unreasonable. I have been to class with my daughter to receive a dog and we have been back to help her train other families when they received their dogs. The job that she does is a very tough job and it is very stressfull, especially when you know that the pairs that you are in charge of putting together will need to compliment each other if they are to work out at all. This job becomes impossible when you have clients that come into the program with the idea that these dogs will be a “quick fix” and they will no longer have to worry about the disease of diabetes. They are told repeatedly that the dog that they have received will have the training started and well underway, however the training will have to be continued on a daily basis, not for a week or two, but for the life of the dog. She tells everyone that it is like adopting a two year old that will be more obedient than most, but will need constant attention and guidance, correction on occassion, and most importantly a team mate that will be willing to do for the dog what they are expecting the dog to do for them. Work!!!! They will only give when they are given to, and if you choose to leave them to themselves then what you have is alot of waisted time fundraising, and a dog that is a pet other than a service animal. These dogs have the desire to serve and are willing to do so.

Carlie has no ability to feel her lows anymore and it is vitally important for us to have her service dog. I have been woke up more times than I can count with Carlie completely asleep and unaware that her health is even in danger. I would be willing to fundraise every year to ensure other people, that are not as fortunate as myself, get a service dog. I also understand that this service is not for everyone. These animals take a bunch of time and money to keep up to date.

What I don’t understand is the fact that the Attorney General is so biased. I thought that they were supposed to be unbiased and willing to listen to both sides of the story before making a conclusion as to what needs to be done. I, myself, have made several calls to Mr. Bickel and have not had one return call. You would think that he would at least have his secretary return calls if he were as swamped as they claim. I know that there have been videos sent in as well as personal testimoies and he does not seem to care anything about the positive, only the negative attracts his attention. This is a shame, since this is an election year. I think that Mr. Kasoff has a very good point. If Michele were to “scratch his back” then he may be willing to listen or pretend to listen to the positive remarks made by past clients. I would guess that someone has personally padded the pockets of Mr. Bickel and/or Mr. Jay Nixon. I would like to remind you that the actions that you take in this matter will definately have an impact on your campaign. I strongly recommend the citizens of MO to think about the fact that you are not willing to look at the whole picture before you draw your conclusions about a organization. Up until July 07 there have not been any complaints to speak of. The client that called in those complaints reached a dead end and then began to search for help from future clients. This can be easily proven with very little effort. (if you are willing to look into the matter)The clients that filed their complaints after the February class are very close friends with the client in the July 07 class. They were in touch with each other during the training period in Feb. and are still currently in contact with each other. The company of HSP has clearly been set up not only by the clients that did not get their way, but by the Attorney General of Missouri.

What saddens me more than anything is that the people that hold an influential position in our government will not only help those who are passing along false accusations gain ground, but they will ultimatley be the same ones that hinder all those in need of service animals from what truly increases their chances of living healthy.

I will be there to see Mr. Bickel and Mr. Nixon proved wrong as well as those claiming to be done wrong. I will be there with my daughter and her service dog and with all the other clients that Michele has helped. I will be glad to sacrifice time and money to see that justice is served in this matter. I would like to remind my fellow citizens that it is our duty to vote into office those people who are willing (all are able, but not willing) to serve the people of the state of MO fairly and efficently, to the best of thier ability. This needs to be remembered when it comes time to vote for our new governor. We are in need of a fair and reputable candidate who has the desire to serve our state unselfishly and without personal gain.

I am sorry you did have problems you feel were not properly addressed. I know how excited we, as parents of children with diabetes get if we think we can do anything to improve the lives of our children.

If the dog showed aggression during class, that would have been the time to get a new dog. If the dog did not show signs of aggression during training, how would HSP have any indication that there was a problem? If aggression did not evidence until a change in environment, it should be noted that even the Guide Dogs of America state very clearly in their contracts how a dog behaves once it is at “home” is entirely the responsibility of the new owners, not the organization. “Dog Whisperer” Caesar Milan also states the same thing — dogs respond to the environment they are in at any given time.

From reading some of the “angry” blogs posted by the intial complainants, I can say that at least two of those involved in this suit admitted to refusing the dogs offered by HSP. They insisted on taking other dogs home that were not recommended by HSP. One of these families even went on television and praised HSP and the dog! Only later, did they change their story, demanding a refund, and only with reluctantly returned the dog.

I can also say with 100% accuracy that HSP never made a claim on their website that after 3 weeks anyone would go home with a fully trained service animal. In fact, it is my understanding (please correct me if I am wrong) that the dogs who left training, according to the contracts, would still have to pass an annual certification test each year, for three years, to be consider certified.

I think one of my biggest concerns is that there is a difference between filing (and I am not sure if you are one of those involved in the suit, I am going to assume no, because you cannot talk about the case if you are) for getting back money paid, and another thing to seek damages and to personally bring down an entire family in order to go after an organization.

I hope the dust settles soon for all concerned. This has become so personal, it seems less about the money, and more about “taking people down.”

Well hey everyone i am Amy a friend of someone who has a dog from HSP, and from what i have seen the dog has really done a really good job! Mrs. Michele and her company is a reall life-saver! They have helped this family so much. But i do have one question for Rachel .T. why didn’t you take the other dog HSP tried to give you. And if i am not mistaking you have went with another company and have denied all halp from HSP! Just correct me if i am wrong. NOT! But back to what is was saying you went with another company and got a LITTLE puppy “that is responding remarkably well to a low scent” does that mean the dog alerts to lows or not? I hope your running for Governor goes well with the STATES money! HSP is a really GOOD company, if for GROWN people like Rachel to be trying to take away from kids that really need HSPs dogs, oh but wait shes a PREACHER wife! Now ain’t that something!!
HSP 4 LIFE!!!
Amy

Heaven Scent Paws provided me with my lifesaver, my service dog. He has saved my life more times then I can count in the ten months that I have had him. It’s all thanks to Michele, HSP and my service dog that I have regained my independence and shed the fear of falling into a coma due to low blood sugars. He never leaves my side, he’s a constant companion, friend and guardian to me 24/7. He goes wherever I do, and I have never been more thankful.

I’ve done additional training at home under Michele’s advisement and tutelage. Every time I have called Michele she has stepped up– just like she promised she would. She is constantly there for her clients. I COULD NEVER, EVER ask for better “customer support.”

To the attorney general of Missouri, I’m asking you to please listen to our side of the story as well. I may not be from Missouri, and my vote may not count for your election, but there are children around the country in need of this organization and knowing that should surpass your political interests.

First, let’s be reasonable here. Do you honestly think that the AG’s office of Missouri would sue a company to help people from outside the state carry out a personal vendetta? Now, I have seen a one of HSP’s dogs first hand…that dog was about as much of a service dog as I am. The dog would growl at people and was so scared of any little thing. Ask any PROFESSIONAL trainer and they will tell you that this is NOT how a service dog should act.

I sincerely hope that these dogs that have been place, DO work. Anything that will help these kids would be great! But, all you people out there BAD MOUTHING the ones that did NOT have a good experience with HSP need to realize that no matter what, there are ALWAYS two sides to every story. One of these families that the dog didn’t work was DEVASTED! They had seen their child having seizures in the middle of night and was soooo excited to find hope in HSP. You people don’t know how much it devasted this family to realize that they had raised all this money for a life-saving dog only to find out it it was just a DOG. They tried working with HSP in finding a solution only to be railroaded and bullied by HSP. Again, YOU only know part of the story.

I know each of you out there only want the best for your kids and so do these other families. But, it simply boils down to the fact that if HSP was a solid, Christian organization, they would offer the money back that was raised or at least transfer it to another organization of the families choosing. That is simply fair.

And again, I encourage all of you to have your dog evaluated by a PROFESSIONAL TRAINER and let them tell you what type of dog you have…what abilities it is capable of…Please just be sure of what you have as a service dog and don’t take everything at face value. That’s the least you can do for your child. JUST to be sure.

“Heaven Scent Paws, Inc. vehemently denies the allegations of the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and is committed to fighting the harmful and false allegations that have been made against us. The claims that have led to the lawsuit come from the complaints of a few unreasonable and disgruntled families, and it is unfortunate that the many satisfied HSP partners are overlooked by the Attorney General when evaluating these baseless complaints. We will continue to provide service to those in need of help with their diabetic children and families, and are confident that the legal system will work for us and exonerate Heaven Scent Paws from these baseless charges.”

There are no MO. residents included in the consumer complaints that have been filed in this case…. how in the world would anyone think this is aobut Mr. Nixon running for Gov. of MO. ????? In fact he is actually bringing this suit against one of the eligible voting members of his own state… I would think he doesn’t take that lightly.

There are more than 10 US states and 1 other country represented in the current consumer complaints… in fact there are a total of 16 complaints on the AG website as of today (with a couple more on their way)… hardly just one or two unhappy families.

also just to clarify… there is no “large” HSP board… it consists of Michelle Reinkemeyer and Joel Shiflet (the 3rd member listed on the HSP documentation on file with the MO state corporations division has since resigned)

Some of you need to re-read your “HSP contracts”… no place does it say you will not be getting a fully trained diabetes alert service dog. As for the HSP website… well, let’s just say it has CHANGED considerably over the last few months… but not to worry, the AG has original copies of what it used to say regarding these dogs and their level of “ability” to assist their diabetic ‘pawtner’!

It shouldn’t matter if an organization has placed thousands of good service dogs… if they have placed even one that wasn’t what it was reported to be then that should be made right by the company… when it isn’t consumers need another avenue to be heard. This case has nothing to do with those dogs that HSP placed that apparently work well… great for those families! I would love to see if the circumstances were reversed what the HSP supporters would be doing with their dogs who growled, lunged at strangers, defecated in public buildings, didn’t alert to BG’s etc. what would they say then? They just assume that if they had gotten one of “those dogs” that they would have been able to “make it better”… why should ANYONE have to make a dog like that better… it should have been SERVICE DOG MATERIAL IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!

Also, I note that several on this blog have mentioned that “ALL” of those who have made formal complaint are somehow working for a “competitor” of HSP…. number one… if HSP is a public charity by virtue of their 501 status, then they exist to provide a service to better the public… why is that something that would have “competition”? secondly… where in the world did you get such erroneous information ??? Get your facts straight!
thirdly… if you are refering to the fact that these families are having to turn elsewhere to get help for their diabetic children because HSP hasn’t done their job… WHERE DO YOU EXPECT THEM TO GO ????

Also, it has been reported by some that HSP has placed over 300 diabetic service dogs… where are you getting this information from? I would love to see proof of this!

The bottom line is that the Missouri AG is suing HSP! Do you really think they are going to spend tax payer dollars… election year aside… to litigate a case that they feel has no significant merrit ???? I DON’T THINK SO !

The contract never said you were getting a fully trained service dog either!! You say HSP has changed their site, let’s not talk about the blogs that have been deleted because your group didn’t want the info out. Let’s not talk about the harrasement of calling and emailing clients of HSP after numerous times of being told by them that they were not interested. I was there when specific clients did not do what they were suppose to and SAID it doesn’t matter because Michele will NEVER FIND out! You are not the only ones with proof, documentation and letters from professionals. You lied in class and continue with the lies. You stole email address so that you can email upcoming clients and clients coming to the program. You contacted EVERY news agency that did a report on HSP for fundraising purposes, you then asked for personal contact information of clients doing the fundrasing so that you can scare them away from HSP. You contacted fundraisers in support of HSP trying to get them to withdraw there support of HSP. You set up websites like heavenscentpawshell.com and the gr8tful.org/HSP.html to slam HSP. It is always easier to blame a company that the dog didn’t work (esp. when you started filing complaints after only 2 weeks of being home) then to take the responsibility yourself esp. when so many people have donated on your childs behalf. I mean isn’t that embarassing for you to admit that this is more work then you thought so why not just blame HSP. If I was not in this class I would have thought HSP was in the wrong but personally witnessing in the same class what took place makes me stand by HSP 100%. BTW..what an original name(samanthaphine)still starting trouble! Why don’t you take a look at the statements that were made by all of the individuals complaining at http://www.diabeticservicedog.com. I saw the facebook that you guys were talking on and I have copies of your conversations….admittance of service dogs alerting that supposedly don’t…hmm!

Enough with the negativity toward HSP my son recieved a dog at the same time as these people who are now complaining and his dog Onyx has been nothing but a blessing. Just last night he alerted at 1 am that my son blood sugar was to low. I think this lawsuit involves a few bad apples who wanted a dog that was 100% when in class Michele told us they were not trained 100% that you had to work with them everyday. If the DA wants to know the truth he should talk to the people who were there.

If one goes to the Attorney General’s web site one would garner more information. Many of the charges have to do with unfair business practices and contractual content. Also, Michele Reinkemeyer is being charged with misuse of charitable funds, and is being charged as an individual for her behaviors. The complaint is 23 pages in length.

One learns that there are 16 people who have filed with the AG’s office, only 5 of those were from clients who attended in Feb. 2008.

Finally, the law is not a contest to see how many people you can get on “your side.” Arguments indicating that other clients are satisfied do not impact unfair business practices or misuse of funds.

There is a group of you that contend that the accurate, valid, and positive comments made to the AG reguarding HSP are not relevent because they are not complaining but complementing. The thing that means more to us that are in support of HSP is their reputation. This is the real problem with those that are not satisfied. If it were just a mere dissatisfaction then they would admitt that the help was offered to them or the replacement of a dog. This does not mean that they have to be satisfied even after these measures have been taken. Some people are impossible to please, even if you are trying to take away the disease altogether. I’m sure for these families in mention if Michele had the ability to remove the disease then they would be sueing her and her company because she did not remove it when they were diagnosed and made them wait until they were in Missouri. If this sounds ridiculous then you haven’t read all the complaints, they are more ridiculous than you can imagine. I know some of you are gonna say “there is nothing ridiculous about an aggressive dog that is placed in a home or better than that an aggressive dog that is placed in a home that does not alert” What the family is not telling is all the times they were offered another dog and refused to take Michele up on the offer. Instead she decided to go with another company and a puppy that does not alert at all, it only responds to lows, which simply means they are playing scent games with the puppy and we all know that puppies enjoy playing!!

Back to my point— The reason the supporters are so adament for the AG to know the REAL TRUTH is so this company’s reputation is not run in the ground. This is the ultimate goal for these families that have filed the complaints. It can’t possibly be the fact that the dogs don’t alert (which they ALL do) otherwise they would have all gone with a company that promised to provide FULLY TRAINED SERVICE DOGS. I am surprised that they have chosen a company that gives puppies that they have to train (with instruction). I thought that was the “formal complaint” for HSP. HSP NEVER promised to place fully trained service dogs and stated it clearly in class as well. I am really confused with how you can file complaints with the AG and then turn around and do the very thing that you were upset about: not receiving a fully trained service dog.

I wonder if they truly wanted results and to have the help they say they asked for. It seems to me that they are just wanting to complain because they were to scared to say “we changed our minds about wanting a dog that will need extra help”. I am more sorrowful for the dog and the heartache that it was caused. This poor animal need help and Michele was assured by them that they would be willing to provide her with the extra help it needed. Their word is obviously not worth much and in my mind neither is their testimony reguarding this company.

I have read about 300 (I am not kidding) on this particular subject and it absolutely boggles my mind. On the other blog there were 247 comments, mostly written by about a dozen individuals. The HSP supporters frequently resorted to childish name calling … they were so adamant that HSP was the world’s best that it was frightening more than anything else.

There are 16 charges against the HSP group. Does anybody really think that the AG would proceed with lawsuits if there was not a good chance of winning? C’mon people, whether it’s supplying dogs that are untrained or partially trained or refusing to refund or transfer money for students that withdrew or were asked to leave it doesn’t matter. It’s fraud.

If I was going to enroll in the 3 week training program I would seriously have to ask myself whether or not I should. Somebody earlier wrote that this should be dropped before it ruins HSP’s reputation. It is already ruined and even if all charges are stayed, the loss of reputation will follow HSP for a long time.

I think HSP has graduated about 35 dogs since the first case was brought to the state’s attention. That’s 16 charges against 35 placements. Not great odds for success.

Thank you

Worried, you are right to a certain point. I was very angry that these people that are making these “claims”. They sat in the class and pretended that all was well. All the while they obviously had another agenda in mind. They were told that they were not to do interviews with the media unless they had written permission from Michele. They went through the class and called a meeting in the conference room of the hotel without Michele having been asked or invited. I know this because my husband and I were invited to attend. Michele came to me with an idea for that evening, thinking that it was something the class would enjoy. I asked her what time she thought she would want to do what she had planned, because the class was already meeting in the conference rooom, maybe she could do it then. I was completely unaware that it was already told to this person NO! This person was again told no and then there was a sign put on the door saying that no one was allowed in without HSP staff. This started after about a week of class (I guess it actually started much earlier in this clients head, because she had already been in touch with the media.)
Michele dicussed with the class the reason why this rule was inforced and asked again that there be no contact with the media unless you had permission from HSP, Michele simply has some guidelines she wants us to follow when talking to them. It is not that difficult! She told the class before they came that they were to make sure that their child or themselves were not sick. She understands that there is a chance you can GET sick there, but if you came well then it would be better for the class as a whole. One client brought her daughter when she was very sick, she never even told Michele about it earlier. The child was probably sicker and then started getting better but never made a full recovery. The mom was wanting to not miss class so bad she put everyone else at risk. This child wasn’t 100% and hit a different climate and she caught it bad. The mom waited and tried to fix it herself, in the meantime it spread though the class like a wildfire. There are a certain number of hours that is required, how do you get the number of hours when the clients are sick with a fever and other symptoms? Do you hold the rest of the class back on their behalf? Michele asked for them to go to the doctor and then she gave a break for healing and rest then she had no choice but to double up on some of the other training days. The things that were asked of the class members were not harsh or ridiculous. The three week course is very hard, emotionally and physically. It is even harder to do when you are sick and running a fever. These people are now bashing Michele, her family, and HSP as a company. The things that they say happened in class did not happen in the manner that they are telling. They have added to it and exaggerated beyond measure. I know that one of the dogs was a handful at times. Michele asked them if they would want to swap dogs and they said no. They waited until they got home and when things were different, the dogs behavior was different. They had no idea how to handle her at this point and gave up. They called for Michele to come and get the dog, Michele called me because I was closer. An hour away they decided not to give the dog back!! WHY?! If the dog was truly as aggressive as they stated why put your family at any more risk? The dog stayed for another week and a half, and they called again to come and get the dog. They claim that Michele never even tried to help. They claim that she forced them to come to class sick and with fevers. Why would she do that and not want you to come in the first place when you are sick. She has three diabetic children, and you think that she wants them exposed to the germs?! NO! THAT WOULD BE CRUEL!! If the application says, that there is a NON- REFUNDABLE deposit and that the dog will not be fully trained, you will have to continue the training, and that the partial amount that is fundraised is because she will fundraise the rest so that you will be in a partnership with her,(this is to ensure protection for the dog), how and why do you then complain about not getting your money refunded, for a dog that was not purchased, and does not belong to you? And then complain about having to finish the training for a dog that was clearly stated not a fully trained dog. They are wrong about not knowing this, why would she have required 3 weeks stay in MO? This was definately no vacation!!

They have since gone with another company that places puppies that are not fully trained, and they have to do and continue the training on their own. ????????????? Michele is being bashed still?? Why??? Not only her but those who were in class and saw they same things as myself. They are so mad at the fact that they have exaggerated things beyond reason. Our mouths definately got the best of us and I personally appologised. Not for what I said but how I said it. It doesn’t matter they refuse to listen to anyone but each other.

The main differnce is that Michele is not exploiting them like she has been. Everyone has been tainted with an exaggerated one sided story, I guess that is the way it will stay until it gets dismissed in court.

Kim,
I am going to try ONE MORE TIME to explain this to you and the rest of those who support HSP.
The charges that have been filed have nothing to do whith anyone in class being sick or anything else you have listed… we made official complaints to the MO AG about our individual stories… the remaining issues in the suit are things that they found on their own when they did their investigations. So STOP blaming us for the fact that they have sued Michelle / HSP for mis-appropriation of funds, mis-use of her 501 non-profit, failure to be properly licensed in her state, violation of state business practice laws…. etc., lying on the HSP website stating that they have a patent pending when in fact they DO NOT !!! (all public information on the MO. AG site) WE HAD NO CONTROL OVER ANY OF THIS !!!

Also, your statements regarding our dogs and organizations we do or don’t work with are false… so I would respectfully ask that you not comment on issues you don’t have accurate information about.

Also the story you tell regarding you picking up a dog is also laced with untruths.

your comment….

Kim your comment….
“The main differnce is that Michele is not exploiting them like she has been. Everyone has been tainted with an exaggerated one sided story, I guess that is the way it will stay until it gets dismissed in court.”

YES, you are right about one thing… Michelle has been exploiting us.
Our stories total over 20 and rising daily so I guess it’s not one sided after all… the only reason other families have filed their own complaints with the AG’s office is because they also have had negative outcomes… do you honestly think people are going to give up a dog that worked for their diabetic child …what they worked so hard for and raised thousands of dollars for just because I or anyone else shared our stories???

lastly, I’m pretty sure that the AG of any state doesn’t go into a case like this lightly, the charges against HSP / Michelle are serious. The truth is going to come out ~ of that you can be sure.

As for people’s behavior in class being different now… Kim I thought you were a wonderful sweet person in class… however we too have all seen a different side to you since then, you yourself have plastered that side all over the internet… and it has been anything but ’sweet’. You have slandered our families, our characters, our children, our ethics and morals, even choosing to place yourself in judgement as to our faith… your intent was to hurt… and you succeded there… our children have cried over untrue things you have said about them… I hope you are proud of your actions!

We have never slandered you or your family. I truly am happy for you that your dog works (and that you have what your supporters raised the money for) I just don’t understand why you can’t give us the same courtesy, because we DON’T have what our supporters raised the money for.

As violently as you have fought this battle on HSP’s behalf, I seriously doubt that if your family was given the same situation & treatment as ours from HSP that you would sit quitely by and say nothing!

Our fight isn’t with you! It is with an organization that took all the money our supporters could raise then either take away our dog or provide a dog that was inadequate to ever even be trained for service dog work. Because of this FACT we will continue to share the truth about HSP so that other families of diabetic children aren’t hurt by their actions. I for one welcome this going to court so that the truth can finally be told publically, and Michelle Reinkemeyer will no longer be able to pull the wool over her supporters eyes.

Tammy… I don’t know who you have been talking to but I have read the complaints listed on the papers filed by the AG’s office in the lawsuit. The complaints on there are ridiculous. Michele provided donuts and orange juice to diabetics for breakfast???? She provided a very balanced meal everyday for class, half of those my husband and I cooked. That was only one of the stupid complaints sent into the AG’s office.

As far as my going to pick up Eggo, Michele has emails stating they wanted someone to pick her up and when I got there the SECOND TIME, the husband was under the impression that Michele told the wife she was sending someopne to pick her up. False, they requested it the second time the same as the first. And unless you were personally there KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!!! This same person admitted that she “unknowingly sabatoged” Michele when she asked for help. The problem I think was that her husband found out she was in something that was absolutely none of her buisness and he did not approve, she claimed to be “so sick at her stomach” for her wrong doing that she could not even speak up to say ‘I’m sorry’. If this same person was the one you were talking to about me picking up that dog, and she told you something other than the truth, then the way I see it, this is something she does on a regular basis. When I picked up Eggo, everything went very smooth. The husband was unaware that the wife requested the dog be picked up, probably the daughter was unaware of it as well. The wife gave me a hug and I told her that Michele would be intouch with her reguarding Eggo and another dog from HSP. She declined another dog in class and declined it after Eggo got picked up too, OH WELL!!!!

As far as the other company that you are with that has given you a puppy to train for your daughter, a picture of her and her new dog is on this teenager’s website along with her puppy that she is training. I don’t understand why you would complain about not receiving a trained dog and then choose to take a dog that has to be completely trained.

You completely mis-read the statement about Michele being exploited. She has not been on the sites posting at all. She was told not to and she has not. She did not tell everyone about the affair you had in class with another classmember, YOU DID!!! Go back and read your words. Michele let the class know that you were not willing to follow the rules given and you were given several warnings, you obviously chose personal needs over your childs needs. She never said a word about it to anyone. Those comments came from your mouth alone. Pat yourself on the back for that one.

Yes, I am a very sweet person if I don’t say so myself. I am however human and I do make mistakes, which I did. I appologised for the mistakes and I have tried very hard not to do the same thing again. I will not sugar coat anything for anyone. If you are wrong and you are a friend, I will tell you and you will stand alone if there are not changes made. If you ask my opinion, then remember that it is my opinion and you asked for it. Do not hold my opinion against me. Do not expect me to stand for what you think is right if I don’t agree. If I see an injustice and believe that it needs to be made right then I will do everything in my power to see that the right stands taller than the wrong. The difference between you and me other than moral choices is that you are trying to get the right in your eyes to stand taller by undermining the truth and sabatoging a company that has had success until you showed up. These personal needs are still strong as ever, aren’t they. Good luck!!

Mrs Roberson,
I am most assuredly an outsider in this situation. And i will be the first to admit that i don’t know all of the details- due to the fact that there are two quite different sides of the story posted here. However;it would seem to me that put in your position you would know that your attitude reflects that of Heaven Scent Paws. And i know, only by reading your comments that this is a company that my family will NEVER EVER EVER have dealings with such a company as this. If your attitude and your demeanor are any representation of this company, then i am 100% sure they deserve this suit against them. You seem so vehmenately evil and rude- that is quite scary. Perhaps you should keep that in mind as you mudsling and trash others. because people like me, who were giving HSP the benefit of the doubt, are now BECAUSE OF YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS know that are guilty of all charges. that is devastating.

AND ALSO- there is NO WAY the AG would bring this case to court if he was not SURE that he would win!

Kim,
I am sorry that you feel the need to be so hateful and mean.
just to clarify… I never said ”I had an affair at the HSP class” what I said was that Michelle Reinkemeyer slandered me with this made up story AFTER I filed my complaint with the AG’s office… interesting that this wasn’t ever alleged prior to my complaint to the AG.

No - for your information I WASN’t give multiple ’warnings’ in class in fact we have documentation that we were doing everything asked of us in the EXCELLENT catagory by the trainer Joel Shiflet (also a HSP board member). I was told by Michelle when she dismissed us that it had been a unanimous board decision by 12 board members to kick us out of class and take away our dog and keep our money…. come to find out when my husband spoke to Joel on the phone that very night, (mind you we did not know at this point that Joel was a board member for HSP) Joel told him that it was not his decision to kick us out that Michelle had the power to make that decision on her own. We also have documentation from the ”other” HSP board member stating that she was NEVER involved in any HSP board decisions or meetings!!! Further, there were only 3 board members including Michelle herself !!!

And actually you are also incorrect when you say that all HSP clients were ’happy’ prior to my attending the classes… we have since spoken to many prior HSP clients (some of whom have also filed complaints with the MO AG)that are VERY ANGRY about the treatment and level of training they and their dog received after their families raised thousands and thousands of dollars for HSP. The story is the same… over and over…. it didn’t originate with me.

Additionally, Michelle DID serve doughnuts and orange juice & fruit to our class for breakfast… I don’t even know how you can say otherwise as YOU WERE THERE…. no protein what so ever, we started bringing our own food as our daughters blood sugar would be through the roof after eating what HSP provided. However… what was served for breakfast is NOT part of the AG charges against Michelle and HSP !!!! Perhaps you havent read the actual ”law suit filing” ??? And you have only seen 1 or 2 of the actual complaints that were filed by consumers. There is a difference between consumer complaints against a complany and a lawsuit filed by the AG.

I accept your initial appology for attacking me and the other families harmed by HSP… however a true appology would imply that you would STOP DOING IT… and yet you continue in the same breath!

I guess all that is left that is worth saying is KEEP AT IT KIM… you are really making our point as to how HSP and it’s volunteers and staff treat people, and for that I am thankful! So you see Kim, you are helping us to tell the TRUTH !!! At least that is something you can be proud of.

I am done engaging you in this discussion. Your vileness and contempt for truth are disgusting, and I’m weary of trying to educate you. So slander away if you must… and we’ll see you in court ;o)

One last thing Kim… the puppy you see Brianna holding is OURS… it did not come from any organization. We bred this pup through a friend of ours who took our breeding pair of world champion (in scent work) British labs that we were forced to get rid of 3 weeks prior to the HSP classes starting or Michelle said she would kick us out (of course she already had all of our money) and she had already approved our HSP application months earlier with all of our dogs listed on it! So please don’t pretend to know anything about our lives… this is so typical of HSP… you take 1 picture of my child holding a puppy and spin a plethora of lies around it to make it seem like you have ‘insider information’…. pathetic indeed. And who cares what organization any of these families are using now… they wouldn’t be in this position in the first place if HSP had provided what they advertised which was “diabetic alert service dogs that could alert them or thier families of diabetic lows and highs”.

It was interesting that when we arrived at the HSP classes, there were only SOME people who had to get rid of their other pets… it seemed very random indeed!

I am an outsider looking into this story and while I’ll have to admit I don’t know the details of this case and it can seem there are individuals on HSP’s side that seem protective of HSP. This does not mean they are mean people. I see it as trying to do what they believe is right and how they see the situation. What I am COMPLETELY baffled by is the fact that Tammy stated she had world champion (in scent work) British labs, but yet did not use them or their puppies for her daughters dog.?.? Why would someone do that? I can see that the pro hsp people can be a little extreme, but I am starting to wonder that there might be GOOD reason behind it. Not everything is fitting together for me (re: the anti hsp people) after what I have read, hundreds and hundreds of postings regarding HSP. If you get past the $ (yes, I know big factor). They are not always consistent in the stories and there are people (pro hsp) that have “proved” those statements false. It seems that there are ALOT of mistruths. I am interested how this plays out because I am not to sure that the Anti HSP crowd is going to win. I will be keeping up with this one as it is very interesting.

All of the testimonies of people that have gone through “Heaven Scent Paws” are great and nice to read. However, the facts remain that there were numerous complaints (14) made through the Department of Consumer Services against HSP’s and these people put out a lot of money for a dog that they thought would be capable of doing their job, maybe not even right away but with continous training on their part. They found that they’re dogs were not even showing any signals at all, and took it further and filed complaints, those dogs were also evaluated by Professional Expert Service Dog Trainers and those dogs were found to have failed the requirements to even be service dogs let alone dogs capable detecting low or high sugar levels. Not to mention the dogs that showed aggressiveness… This is not exceptable when so much money is paid to HSP’s and was raised through hard work of individuals that worked hard to get that money together as what HSP’s calls a DONATION. Which leads me to the filing status with the State that they are doing business in, why aren’t they reg./Licensed? What makes them exempt from filing a Finacial Report annually like the rest of 501(C) 3 orgs. are required to do? They are also abusing their 501(C)3 determination as well, according to the statues and laws set forth. So to look at a few people stating that they recieved great dogs.. GOOD FOR YOU.. and YOUR CHILD, we are all happy for you.. but there are too many that didn’t, and this business has a long list of wrong doing if you look at all the State’s requirements, and IRS… There is paper work involved and this paper work must be filed with the IRS, and the State in which the Charitable Org. is located… If this wasn’t a fact then anyone could go out and solicite money and say they are a charitable organization… but look out because it is a big fine for doing so and this company should be fined daily just like other states do for not being reg. within it’s state… because this is a requirement as a Non-for Profit Charitable Organization…. So find out what the State requires, find out what the IRS articles are, and find out facts before defending an org. just because you got a dog that alerts you. There are many other factors in the AG’s Filings, and it’s not all about the dogs. That is just a small part of the filing. I for one hope that the AG does get to the bottom of it, and hope that this organization learns something about running a non profit charitable organization as well from all of this… Obviously, the Director did not read the articles herself, and ignored the requirements of the State.