Vocal point : Service dogs offer valuable, vital assistance
You know the old saying “a dog is man’s best friend,” well it’s even more so when it comes to service dogs.
My interest in service dogs stems from a visit to a local shelter. I was making the rounds looking for a small dog that would easily fit into my travels in our motor home.
Upon leaving one of the facilities, I couldn’t help but notice a pole with several dog leashes hanging from it. I asked my friend, Phyllis, what was the purpose of the pole. She told me that each leash belonged to a dog that was put to sleep. Hearing that made my heart go into my throat. That began my quest to save some of the dogs from their premature demise.
Service dogs primarily get their start as puppies – raised for that sole purpose. In some instances rescue groups give these deserving dogs a new leash on life.
There are two kinds of assistance dogs: service and therapy. The defining difference is that service dogs are allowed access to public domains. Therapy dogs perform their tasks by invitation and are treated as any other dog whose acceptance into a public place may or may not be permitted.
The dogs rescued from the shelters are preferably retrievers that are between 9 and 30 months old weighing between 50 and 100 pounds. The temperament of these dogs is crucial in order to be acceptable as a service dog trainee.
The dogs are given an extensive physical exam concentrating on the hips, shoulders, elbows as well as a lab work-up. Once all these standards are met, then the dog is eligible to begin service dog training. A dog less then 18 months old is put into the foster care program for basic training in obedience, house and car manners and socialization.
Some service dogs are trained in cooperation with the prison system. The inmates train the dogs to provide independence, self-confidence and mobility for the disabled person.
The dogs that don’t meet the strenuous physical and psychological requirements to become a service dog are placed in homes as paroled or therapy dogs. The service dog program lasts between four and six months. The dog is trained to maneuver around wheelchairs, open doors, retrieve objects, operate light switches and more.
As the training progresses, the dog enters the specialized phase of the program in which he is introduced to the person that he is being trained for. Once placed in the individuals care, the trainer will spend as much time with the dog and client during the first few months.
Having a service dog encourages the empowerment of the disabled individual to function with greater self sufficiency to prevent injuries and to summon help in a crisis.
Service dogs are vital to a disabled person’s life as they perform tasks that are for the most part taken for granted by a person without a disability. They navigate around obstacles such as holes, shopping carts, poles, etc. They alert their client of impending inclines or declines. They locate objects on command like exits from rooms, door knobs and empty seats. The lead the way in restaurants and can locate specific destinations such as a store in a mall or a room in a hotel.
Service dogs are trained for the sight and hearing impaired along with clients suffering from diabetes and seizure related conditions. Service dogs are legally guaranteed access to all public places, transportation and lodging. Service dog access laws supersede public health codes in relation to restaurants, grocery stores and so forth.
The four most common breeds used as service dogs are Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherds and border collies.
Service dogs can be distinguished by a blue or yellow collar or harness. Never pet, call, talk, feed, whistle or do anything that might distract the service dog’s duties. Such a gesture could harm the client or might cause the dog to be corrected by his client.
Perhaps with this knowledge and understanding there might be fewer leashes hanging from the pole outside of the shelter.