Service Dogs: More Than Pets

We know that dogs can make wonderful pets but that's not all they are good for. Many dogs, even one's that are loved pets also love to work and be useful. They will help on farms or almost anywhere that they can find a way to be useful and can be trained to do most anything that is physically possible for them. There are as well, many dogs that are trained, sometimes from birth to perform a specific task. These are service dogs and there are several types. These dogs can be very useful and almost indispensable.

Among the several types of service dogs are search and rescue dogs, police dogs, dogs for the blind or hearing impaired, therapy dogs and dogs for supported living. Training a dog to assist a disabled person can take a lot of work and must be thorough to insure the safety of the disabled person. There are even some who must assist a person confined to a wheelchair. This can greatly improve the quality of their lives not only making some physical things possible but also creating a sense of independence and self assurance. Training these special dogs is time consuming and expensive but the reward is much greater for those in need and those who want to help.

Therapy dogs are also now widely used in hospitals and retirement homes. It is said that owning a pet gives the owners a longer, healthier life. It has been proven to lower blood pressure and stress levels just by being near or petting a dog. Therapy dogs must have a good natured temperament but can come in all sizes and breeds. Therapy dogs visit the elderly and the sick of all ages, special needs children and even those who have survived a natural disaster or trauma of any kind. They are now being tried on people with autism. Dogs just make people feel better. These dogs are especially trained to show affection and comfort people in need. It's my opinion however, that a dog doesn't need to be trained to provide comfort! It comes quite naturally.

Police dogs are used in aiding the officers in finding drugs, explosives and as personal protection. They also might be trained to bring down an assailant as they are much more agile and quicker than the average man or woman. This type of service dog is often trained from a young age. The German Shepard is commonly used in police work.

Search and rescue dogs are used to search for missing people, especially children and to aid in their rescue once they are found. This dog must, of course have a sharp nose, be physically agile and have very good endurance and stamina as well as being a well trainable breed. Labs, retrievers and Doberman fit into that profile as well as a few others. Some are trained as cadaver dogs to seek out the deceased specifically.

Hearing impaired dogs for the deaf or partially deaf. are trained to react appropriately to certain sounds, letting their handler know what is going on around them that they themselves can not hear. A seeing eye dog of course aids the blind in situations that could be dangerous such as crossing a street. Either type requires extensive training that takes at least two full years.

So you see, the dog is not just a pet or loving member of the family but has the ability to be so much more for the community, the disabled, the ill or depressed and law enforcement. All sizes big and small have the potential to give as much or more than they receive and they truly love doing it.

www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/service.html
www.nasar.org/nasar/sar_dog_fact_sheet.php
www.worldwidecanine.com/