supporters

So in my reading I've discovered that supporters on the sides of the coat of arms are strictly reserved for corporate/civic arms (companies or cities/governments) or members of royalty or others with some special rank.

Ive got a book specifically on "heraldry in america" and it specifically says "supporters have no business in american heraldry period". So, that does it for me, unless you guys all feel really strongly about having supporters on either side and have some great ideas for them.

- EDIT -
Also, just looked up another spot... Here's a quote from :
http://www.americanheraldry.org/pages/index.php?n=Primer.Page4

1.  Supporters

Supporters, sometimes called tenants if describing human beings, are animals, humans, or other objects that are part of the overall achievement, but are placed outside the shield to hold up, or support, the shield. There can be any number of supporters, but the most commonly seen are either individual supporters, placed behind or underneath the shield, or in pairs, placed on either side of the shield.

Certain heraldic traditions, such as those in Great Britain, restrict the use of supporters to the nobility, persons holding certain ranks within chivalric orders, persons with hereditary rights to supporters borne by their ancestors, cities, towns, and even large companies. There are no such restrictions in the United States, but it is generally recommended that personal arms not assume supporters unless they can show a hereditary right to ancestral supporters. The assumption of supporters by governmental, educational, and corporate bodies is generally accepted in the United States.