Service dogs are a very special type of dog. They are extensively trained from puppies to offer life-easing to life-saving assistance for people with various medical conditions, psychological issues, or other disabilities. These impressive pups are capable of learning a wide variety of tasks uniquely designed to serve their handler/owner’s specific needs.
From detecting seizures or allergic reactions to guiding the blind or assisting the deaf, service dogs provide invaluable care and companionship for their human partners. This helps individuals who need assistance live a more independent and safe life. While there are many different areas of specialized training for these dogs, in today’s article we will simply be taking a look at 5 of the most common or popular service canines:
1. Mobility Assistance Dogs
These types of canine specialists help owners dealing with various mobility issues such as difficulty walking, as well as using a wheelchair, scooter, or any other mobility device. These dogs are especially adept at tasks like opening doors, fetching specific items, and providing balance and stability on uneven flooring or ground.
They can also be taught to retrieve medicine, press buttons and pull handles, as well as going for help in an emergency situation.
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2. Medical Assistance Dogs
These trained canines are highly skilled at detecting changes in their human partner’s physiological condition. Just a few examples include oncoming seizures, blackouts, blood sugar rise or drop, and many others.
Because of their keen and highly developed sense of smell, these service dogs are aware of even the most subtle variations in scent that are connected to certain medical issues. By making their owners aware of the situation before it happens, they are able to implement life-saving measures such as taking medication or alerting paramedics.
3. Mental Health Assistance Dogs
Just as people who have physical medical concerns can benefit from the help of a uniquely trained canine companion, so too can those struggling with psychological or emotional health issues. These dogs provide an amazingly calming presence for those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, and others.
They also offer critical support to people grappling with PTSD. By helping them manage their symptoms, reminding them of their medication, and interrupting harmful or excessively repetitive behavior, these incredible animals provide fantastic care to those battling a variety of mental health issues.
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4. Autism Assistance Dogs
These service dogs specialize in assisting individuals who register on the autism spectrum, from both highly functional to less functional. They provide emotional support, assistance with daily tasks, and of course, vital companionship.
They offer many benefits to those diagnosed with autism, including reducing sensory overload, helping them with social interactions, as well as enabling independence through self-regulation. They also gently redirect their handlers to keep them from wandering or practicing elopement behavior.
5. Addiction Assistance Dogs
In supporting handlers who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction, service canines provide stability, emotional support, and a sense of responsibility. These characteristics help their companion navigate the complexities of addiction.
Their constant companionship helps to ease the feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness/isolation that can be a trigger for many users. They also serve as a positive distraction from urges.
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How to Find The Best Service Dogs
More importantly than anything else, partnering with an experienced, respected training provider is the only way to ensure that you or your loved one is getting the highest caliber service canine. Their unwavering loyalty, commitment, intelligence, and companionship are invaluable to anyone blessed enough to have it. These remarkable dogs routinely enhance the day-to-day lives of people struggling with a wide range of issues.
