SB Pets: Service Dogs

Lending a Paw

NATIONAL SERVICE DOG MONTH

September is National Service Dog Month, a time to honor the extraordinary work these special dogs do every day for the people they love and serve. A service dog is specially trained to protect, take care of, and be a companion for a person with a disability, allowing them to lead a more independent life.

As well as being devoted and loving, service dogs are specifically trained to perform certain tasks so that a person can manage their disability and live a fuller life. Some service dogs are trained to retrieve objects or help with balance for individuals with physical limitations, while others are trained to give seizure or diabetic alerts. The bottom line is that a service dog is trained to perform tasks directly related to their person’s disability.

eptember is National Service Dog Month, a For example, vision support dogs help blind or visually time to honor the extraordinary work these impaired individuals get around obstacles and navigate special dogs do every day for the people streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Hearing support dogs they love and serve. A service dog is special help alert deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to important noises, such as doorbells, smoke or fire alarms, companion for a person with a disability, al telephone, or even an oven timer. Mobility dogs assist lowing them to lead a more independent life. individuals with physical disabilities or individuals with As well as being devoted and loving, service dogs are specifically trained to perform certain tasks so that balance issues with tasks like turning lights on/off, retrieving objects, and pushing elevator buttons. Medical alert dogs help alert the onset of medical emergencies such as a seizure or low blood sugar or the presence of alor help with balance for individuals with physical lim lergens, and many more medical-type emergencies. itations, while others are trained to give seizure or di Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals with disabilities such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and other conditions. The work performed by these son’s disability. service dogs includes actions like entering dark rooms

For example, vision support dogs help blind or visually impaired individuals get around obstacles and navigate streets, sidewalks, and crosswalks. Hearing support dogs help alert deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to important noises, such as doorbells, smoke or fire alarms, telephone, or even an oven timer. Mobility dogs assist individuals with physical disabilities or individuals with balance issues with tasks like turning lights on/off, retrieving objects, and pushing elevator buttons. Medical alert dogs help alert the onset of medical emergencies such as a seizure or low blood sugar or the presence of allergens, and many more medical-type emergencies. Psychiatric service dogs assist individuals with disabilities such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and other conditions. The work performed by these service dogs includes actions like entering dark rooms

and turning on a light to help mitigate what might be a potential stress-inducing situation for certain individuals, interrupting repetitive behaviors by people with obsessive-compulsive disorders, and reminding a person to take medication. Additionally, many psychiatric service dogs help our nation’s wounded warriors suffering from conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injury. They help individuals that suffer from PTSD by alerting them to impending mental episodes and generally being a comforting presence by giving support and a sense of calm for daily psychological stresses. Service dogs can range from small to large. A service dog’s size is condition based on the tasks needed to help mitigate a disability. For example, a Chihuahua is not a good choice to pull a wheelchair but could make an excellent hearing support dog. In contrast, a good choice for a mobility or vision support dog could be Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or German Shepherds.

what might be a potential stress-induc people with obsessive-compulsive dis medication. Additionally, many psy comforting presence by giving support small to large. A service dog’s size is condition based on the tasks needed to help mitigate

Training a service dog is intensive and can take up to two to pull a wheelchair but could make an excellent hearing years. In addition, the process is costly, with training support dog. In contrast, a good choice for a mobility or costing up to $30,000 per dog. With the help of a service vision support dog could be Labrador Retrievers, Golden dog, a person with a disability can better manage and live a better life.

Training a service dog is intensive and can take up to two years. In addition, the process is costly, with training costing up to $30,000 per dog. With the help of a service dog, a person with a disability can better manage and live a better life.