You may have seen it on the TV and in movies where a veteran soldier experiencing PTSD is accompanied by a dog that is very sensitive about his feelings and actions. Service dogs are special dogs who are trained to help protect and assist them in doing all kinds of daily activities. Let us find out more about these amazing canines, how to get one if you need one, what they can do, and the benefits of service dogs.
Benefits of Service dogs: Their role defined
Some may see services dogs as your usual pets who are just equipped with more tricks up their sleeves. Is that correct? Well, not really. According to the definition from Americans with Disabilities Act of the U.S. Department of Justice, a service dog (or animal) are specially-trained dogs that are capable of helping disabled people handle their tasks. They should not be treated like pets because they are doing a job of helping physically and psychologically-challenged individuals. So the next time you see a service dog accompanying his human, stop yourself from petting them as they may not respond to you as you may be expecting them to.
Benefits of service dogs: How do I get one?
Well, it is not as easy as adopting or buying one from the dog store. You would have to pass the qualifications of an owner who needs one, not just wants one. For you to get a service dog, you must have to meet the criteria that regulatory agencies, like ADA, are looking for.
- Do you have a disability?
- Are you legally disabled?
- Do you have the required medical records claiming that your doctor deemed it necessary for you to have the benefits of service dogs?
- Are you capable of taking care of a service dog? Do you have space, budget, and resources to care for them?
- Will you be able to care for them or will you need someone else to provide what they need?
What can service dogs do?
If you are deemed qualified to have a service dog, you should know what they can and cannot do for you. If you know someone who has a service dog, chat with him about the roles their dogs can perform for them. Although service dogs are trained and given to you depending on your disability, there is no harm in knowing what a service dog is trained to do. But for now, here are some of the usual tasks these specially-trained dogs can do.
- Bark when the phone is ringing
- Open cabinets or drawers
- Assist someone who is having seizures
- Bark when they sniff allergens
- Recognize a person with signs of low blood sugar
- Bring or fetch medication during an emergency
- Remind the owner to drink their meds on time
- Get drinking water when the patient is taking his meds
- Bring the phone to the owner during an emergency
- Leading another person to his owner when in crisis
- Assist the owner when walking, going up and down the stairs, crossing the street, etc.
- Handle smoke or fire alarms
- Turn on lights where needed
- Send an alert signal for migraine
Knowing these potential tasks that a service dog can do makes them sound too good to be true, right? Well, trust us when we say that any service dog can do these and more.
How are they trained?
Well, it will depend on the trainer’s practices and your necessities. It is possible to have a dog and train him to become a service dog, but your canine has to pass several tests to make sure that he qualifies to be a service dog. Your veterinarian and the trainer should both agree that your dog has the health, capacity, and temperament to be a dependable service dog. Any action from a dog that would show aggression not just to you but also to other people would deem them ill-equipped.
What dogs can be service dogs?
Actually, as of now, any breed of dog can be a service dog, as long they meet your criteria and requirements. In general, a large breed of dogs is needed for people who have mobility and balance problems, visual impairment, and others that need physical and stability assistance. Breeds like German Shepherd, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and Border Collie can fit the bill. But if you have hearing impairments or considered to have medical problems, smaller breeds can also be right for you.
Service dogs are all adult dogs that are clear of any medical problem and are neutered or spayed so that they would not have the tendency to be aggressive and they can stand the heat. They should be calm even when emergency strikes, and are found to be alert and responsive without panicking or getting stressed.
Benefits of service dogs
According to the law, all service dogs can come with their humans to any establishment, even those who restrict having pets inside. It is illegal to ask for any documentation from an owner about his service animal, but if your dog becomes unruly or is acting differently, they are excluded from this Federal Law and will be deemed exempted or unqualified to be treated as one.
Many owners would let their dogs wear a vest, ID card, or patch as a sign that they are service animals. But these are not required because some may want to keep their disabilities private. The idea that there is identification just makes it easier for others to recognize a service dog and just allow them to go on with their tasks and not treat them as regular pets.
The benefits of service dogs extend farther than what others would just recognize as companionship. For some, they can help in their mobility and ability to do work. Some provide safety and motivation to go on with their lives and become inspired to do better. Some claim that one of the benefits of service dogs is that they become more confident in participating in social activities knowing that their companion would make them feel safe and alert them if something bad happens. All these benefits of service dogs would not be possible for a pet whose role is to provide comfort and relaxation to their owners.
