Service Dogs
Owning a dog may be one of the most important things you can do for yourself medically. Not only do you have a friend for life, a companion that doesn’t judge you but loves you unconditionally, you have a healthier life.
It has been medically proven that dogs (and other pets) lower stress which in turn lowers blood pressure. Dogs are also important in helping Alzheimer patients in ways that they don’t have as many outbursts and don’t feel as anxious. There is nothing like the calming effects that a dog gives. All you want is love and they give love back asking nothing in return. They listen to every word you say. When you cry, they are there to comfort you. They know when you are happy or sad. When you come home to that wagging tail and smiling face, what’s the first thing you do? You smile and talk to your dog in a happy voice.
Dogs help medically in many ways:
- Hearing Ear Dogs – they tell their owners when someone is at the door, when the phone rings, and even if there is an intruder in the house.
- Seeing Eye Dogs – aid their owners crossing the street, navigating street curbs and traffic, pick up items that their owner has dropped
- Seizure Alert Dogs – These dogs are certainly special on their own. When someone is about to have a seizure, these dogs can actually smell the changes in their owner’s body chemicals. They will notify their owner and guide them to a safe place and sit by them until the seizure is over. They are even trained to push the 911 button on the phone.
- Medical Alert Dogs – Again, these dogs are trained to push the 911 button if their owner is in emergency need of medical help. They are mainly used for patients with psychological problems.
- Therapy Dogs – These wonderful dogs visit the elderly in nursing homes and children in the hospital. They even aid in helping people walk again after they have lost a limb or had a bad accident.
- Search & Rescue Dogs – Trained to find human victims of earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes or any natural disaster. Even being able to find skiers who have been buried under an avalanche.
A 25 year study showed by owning a dog prior to having a baby, the children were less likely to develop allergies to pets.
These specially trained dogs go through schools starting when they are puppies. It takes a lot of patience and training to become a certified service dog. Not all dogs are eligible. What trainers look for are very alert puppies, ones that aren’t afraid of loud noises, are naturally curious and loving. At the end of their training they receive a certificate with an identification card as well as a special vest and/or harness to wear.
If you see a service dog with their owner, do not attempt to touch the dog, he is working. Touching a service dog while they are working may break their concentration which in turn can cause harm to their owners.
NOTE: Service dogs are not considered pets. They are working dogs. Passing your pet off as a service dog without the proper identification and certification is a misdemeanor in most states and is punishable by law.