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Service Dog taking the credit card from the cashier in a store
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What can a dog can do for a person who is disabled?
Service Dog is the catch all term for any dog that helps a physically or mentally disabled person. A service dog can do many tasks, depending on the person's disability.
•A dog guide is the eyes for its blind handler, taking the handler around obsticles.
•A hearing dog alerts the handler to sounds.
•A Seizure Alert/Response dog alerts the handler to an impending eplieptic seizure or a low blood sugar state if diabetic.
•A Mobility Assist Dog is the arms and legs for a disabled person.
•A psychiatric service dog keeps a person with an psychiatric disorder calm.
The role of the Assistance Dog is to assist the handler in a variety of ways. It is primarily a medical assistance aid and should be treated as such.
When meeting an on-duty service dog and their partner, there are some simple steps people can take to make the duo more comfortable:
Don't ask what the Service Dog does for the human partner, as this can reflect the nature of the disability.
Ask if there is anything that the person may need for their dog, such as water.
The Assistance Dog handler has been trained in the most appropriate techniques for working or correcting the dog. Please only provide assistance if requested by the Assistance Dog handler.
Provide a little extra space for the service dog on walkways and seating areas.
Speak to the human partner. Remember to talk to the Assistance Dog handler and not to the dog. It is very frustrating for the Assistance Dog handler when people constantly talk to the dog and not to the handler.
Do not interfere (i.e. pet, make noises, or call to the dog.)
If the dog is wearing its harness/vest/backpacks, this means it is working and should never be patted, or distracted by having its name called, be given excessive eye contact, noises made at it, or made the center of attention. These may all cause the dog to take its concentration off the job and put the handler’s safety at risk.
When wanting to pat the Assistance Dog that is not working, always ask the handler first for permission. If the handler agrees, always talk or pat the dog in a quiet and calm manner.
Do not feed the dog.
The Assistance Dog is fed a balanced diet by its handler. Other people should never feed the Assistance Dog. It may then learn to be on the lookout for tidbits, which will distract the dog and place the handler’s safety at risk. It may also lead to obesity and health problems, possibly causing the dog’s working life to be shortened.
If there are any further queries regarding how to behave towards a Assistance dog please do not hesitate to discuss it with the Assistance dog handler.
Similar to guide dogs, "hearing" or "signal" dogs are specially trained to assist hearing impaired people. They alert their owner to sounds, usually by approaching their owner and then by going back to the source of the sound. They signal such noises as doorbells, phones, smoke alarms, crying babies, microwave bells and even tea kettles whistling. These dogs have the same access privileges as guide dogs and are permitted in all public and private facilities
Service dog opening a door
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•Carry things in a backpack
•Pick up things a person drops
•Open/close doors
•Help the handler with stability while standing or walking
•Help the handler walk by balancing or acting as a counter balance.
•Help the handler get dressed or undressed
Service Dog being trained by inmate
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These dogs are trained to respond to a person's seizures and either stay with the person, or go get help. Some dogs are trained to hit a button on a console to automatically dial 911. When the dog hears the voice over the speaker, the dog starts barking.
A person with a mental disability or Post Traumatic Stress Disorger, which many returning Iraq War Veterans are suffering from, may need a dog to be able to go out in public.
A Psychiatric Service Dogs can help an autistic person or child by keeping them focused. These dogs are trained NEVER to leave their handler's side.
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