A fear for many individuals who deal with a disability is the worry that they will lose their independence. Having a service dog, however, can help with managing many of these limitations. Service dogs are dogs that have been specifically trained to provide assistance to individuals dealing with some form of disability. Usually, service dogs are trained to help those dealing with a specific condition. Diabetic service dogs, for instance, are trained to alert their owners when their blood sugar is falling too low. For individuals who are in wheelchairs, mobility service dogs help them cope with physical limitations by retrieving dropped items, turning on light switches, and hitting buttons on the elevator. Other types of service dogs are specifically trained to help individuals who are deaf, blind, suffer from seizures, or have mental disabilities. Dogs can also be trained to help in situations where the disabled is dealing with multiple issues such as being blind and wheelchair bound.
Service dogs are not pets, and not all breeds of dogs will make good service dogs. Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Labrador Retrievers are the breeds most commonly trained as service dogs. However, poodles and other small breeds are now being trained as service dogs for those who do not need mobility assistance. Good service dog candidates need to be intelligent, highly trainable, have a stable temperament, and a strong work ethic. Dogs used as service dogs are bred by programs that train guide dogs or may be taken from animal shelters. For program trained dogs, training usually starts when the dogs are puppies. Prior to training, these candidates learn socializing and basic commands in a home environment. In advanced training, professional trainers give service dogs the skills required to help with a specific disability. Formal training can take at least 6 months to longer than a year depending on the particular disability that the service dog is being trained to assist with. This guide explains, what makes a dog a service dog, proper etiquette, training, accessibility and laws, and the lifestyle of a service dog.
Understanding Service/Assistance Dogs
- American With Disabilities Act Service Dog Definition
- Defining Service Dogs & Types Of Service Dogs
- Dogs Alert Diabetes Patients When Blood Sugar Is Off
- How Service Dogs Help Humans
- Main Types Of Service Dogs
- Man's Best Friend On The Job
- Seizure-Alert Dogs Save Humans With Early Warnings
- Seizure Dogs
- Service Dogs Are Beyond Fetching
Service Dog Etiquette
- Assistance Dog Etiquette
- Dealing With Service Dogs
- Guide Dog Etiquette
- Guidelines For Dealing With Service Dogs
- 'Is That A Service Dog?' Etiquette For Seeing & Meeting Service Dogs
- Protocol For Guide Dogs
- Manners Unleashed: Etiquette Regarding Service Dogs
- Service Dog Etiquette 101: Questions & Answers
- Service Dog Manners
Service Dog Training
- Choosing The Right Dog
- How We Train Hearing Dogs
- Service Dog Minimum Training Standards For Public Access From The International Association Of Assistance Dog Partners
- Training Your Own PTSD Service Dog
- Training Psychiatric Service Dogs
- Training Puppies To Be Future Guide Dogs
Accessibility & Laws Regarding Service Dogs
- Laws Governing Use of Service Dogs On College Campuses
- No Service-Dogs Allowed: Complying With Service Dog Access Laws
- Service Animals In The Office: How To Make The Right Moves
- Service Dogs & The Americans With Disabilities Act
- Tenant Troubles: Can My Landlord Refuse To Allow Me A Service Animal?
- Traveling Internationally With A Guide Or Service Dog
Life of a Service Dog
