Service Dog
Dogs
Service Dog
A service dog is a type of
assistance dog that is specially trained to help people who have
disabilities
other than
visual or
hearing impairment. Examples of these include
Psychiatric service dogs,
mobility assistance dogs, and
seizure alert dogs. Service dogs are sometimes trained and bred by
private organizations. In other cases, the disabled handler may train
their dog themselves with the aid of a private trainer. While the law
does not require any special labeling of these dogs, many service dogs
can be identified by the
cape, jacket,
or harness they
wear.
Among other things, service dogs are trained how to pick up objects, open and
close doors, and operate
light switches.
Some service dogs are trained to pull individuals in
wheelchairs. During
their training, the dogs usually spend a year or more with a host family to
become acquainted with working around people. Many service dogs continue their
training after they are formally placed with a person, usually on a yearly
basis.
The process of obtaining a service dog varies by each organization. Normally,
an application must be submitted, and a waiting list is usually involved. The
costs for a service dog also vary, however financial assistance may be
available.
Patience and repetition are critical components of successful animal training
for service dogs. In the
United States,
use of selected inmates in
prisons as
animal
trainers has proved a valuable resource to service animal agencies. In
addition to teaching the dogs basic obedience and other skills needed to prepare
them for their future careers and thereby adding to the short-supply of service
animals, such programs in correctional centers have proved to be mutually
beneficial relationships. Often, the inmates develop improved socialization
skills and behavior as a result of their work with the dogs.
Service dogs and their handlers enjoy special protection under the
U.S.
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which gives them equal access to
public facilities, such as
restaurants,
parks,
taxis, and
airplanes.
See also
External links
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