Maintain Your Independence With Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are not common house pets; theyservice animal accompany them in any area open to
participate in specialized training programs and workthe public.
hard to help the elderly, as well as people who areService dogs pull wheelchairs, open and close doors,
blind, deaf or physically disabled. They provideretrieve dropped or out-of-read items, alert a person
independence and security throughout their lifetime orof an upcoming seizure, turn light switches off and on,
until they retire. The perfect assistance dog does notbark to alert, find another person and provide balance
necessarily depend on the breed, but rather on theand stability and many other individual tasks, depending
temperament and size.on your needs. Golden and Labrador Retrievers make
Most assistance dogs are mixed breeds rescued fromgood service dogs because although they are strong,
animal shelters or puppies raised and trained bythey have a gentle nature. Either a backpack or a
volunteers and belong to organizations formed to helpharness usually identifies service dogs.
the elderly and the disabled. Specially selected prisonHearing dogs alert a deaf or hearing-impaired person
inmates trained to raise assistance dogs have shownto sounds such as telephones, alarm clocks, oven
to be a valuable resource to service dog organizations.buzzers, smoke alarms, doorbells and a crying child or
This situation also helps the inmates improve theirbaby. The also let the hearing-impaired person know
socialization skills and behavior because of interactingwhen someone is calling their name. Training is more
with the dogs.involved nowadays due to the increase in traffic and
In order to receive a service dog from one of thequieter car engines. Hearing dogs wear an orange
many organizations, you need to complete ancollar, leash and vest.
application and undergo an evaluation. Most people endGuide dogs help blind or visually impaired people
up on a waiting list while they find or train a suitablenavigate safely along busy streets, on public
dog. Some service dogs are available at no charge,transportation and through stores and other places of
while some are quite expensive. Financial assistance isbusiness. They help a person avoid obstacles and stop
available depending on the rules of the group thatat curbs and steps. The blind or visually impaired
provides the dog. Your medical condition and medicalperson uses a u-shaped handle to enhance
insurance coverage is also an important factor.communication with their guide dog. The blind or visually
Once they find your dog, it takes between a fewimpaired person's job is to give directional commands,
weeks and several months to teach you how to usewhich the dog may or may not obey depending on the
the specific commands. The dog will need additionalsituation. If an unsafe command is given, the dog will
training geared to your specific needs and possiblychoose to disobey the command in order to insure the
yearly refresher training.person's safety. In this case, the dog must have good
There are three basic types of assistance dogs:judgment and be an independent thinker.
service dogs, hearing dogs and guide dogs.Service animals undergo intensive training so they will
Approximately 20,000 people in the United States usebehave appropriately in public areas. Assistance dogs
assistance dogs. Presently, more than 60 nonprofitnot only allow the elderly and the disabled to live a
programs train and place assistance dogs in America.secure and independent life, they provide
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990companionship and love.
guarantees people with disabilities the right to have a