deep_attributes2.rb

  def deep_attributes
    attributes_to_copy(self).merge 'service_appointments_attributes'=>service_appointments.collect{|sa|
      attributes_to_copy(sa).merge 'student_appointments_attributes'=>sa.student_appointments.collect{|std_a|
        attributes_to_copy(std_a).merge 'student_appointment_goals_attributes'=>std_a.student_appointment_goals.collect{|sag|
          attributes_to_copy(sag)
        }
      }
    }
  end

private
  def attributes_to_copy(ar)
    forbidden_keys = ['id', 'service_transaction_id', 'service_appointment_id', 'student_appointment_id']
    ar.attributes.reject do |k,v|
      forbidden_keys.index(k)
    end
  end