Thursday, October 20, 2011

Is Your Faithful Pet Considered A Service Dog?

By Ron Williams


A service dog can make a world of difference to a person who is disabled in some manner. There's a lot of men and women around the globe who have come to depend on their k-9 pals to assist them to achieve assorted standard routines. These individuals cannot hope to live life with as much ease if they had to let go of these faithful and intelligent dogs. Even among dogs, it's the Labrador retrievers which are deemed to be the top breed for this type of work. The perseverance, sensitive nature along with intelligence of these magnificent dogs makes them truly a disabled person's best companion.

The First Service Dogs in History

As per a LA Times report, dogs were educated to make life simpler and easier for people who have disabilities as far back as in the 16th century. The first service dogs were maybe guide dogs that faithfully directed their blind masters and mistresses through their home as well as out on the roadways. In the United States, the very first facility to train guide dogs was launched in 1929. The method of using these wise animals to help individuals with other impairments took place later in the 1970s. These days, you will find that service dogs are a vital family member of many a person with physical disabilities of any type.

Multi-skilled Helpers

Service dogs are trained to implement numerous tasks which include opening doors and cupboards, help an individual up from a seat or after a fall, alert an individual to a phone or an alarm going off and much more. Actually, some dogs are trained to smell for allergens in the air so that those who are prone to allergies can stay away from places that are harmful to their health. More than anything else, these companions provide the disabled person with companionship and also moral support that is absolutely essential. Service dogs are not only guides for their disabled masters- they are usually buddies and companions also.

Labradors as Service Dogs

There's no doubt that Labrador retrievers make the top service dogs. In fact, at the Guide Dogs of America 70% of the service dogs are retrievers. As stated by this organization, all over the world, a retriever is the foremost selection for a guide dog training course. This has been discovered to be the most reliable breed for such programs as these dogs are eager to learn, obedient by nature as well as loyal.

Is Your Faithful Pet a Service Dog?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, service dogs are only those which have received specific training to perform a task/ service for a disabled person. The task must be relevant to the disability that the person has, for example, directing a blind individual through the road. Dogs that perform practical tasks for their masters however they have not been trained aren't classed as as service dogs. A service dog undergoes an extensive training routine right from the early years of its life. These young dogs are reared by volunteers that help them learn the basics of behavior training right at this stage. As they mature these dogs are put through comprehensive training that teaches them to conduct specific activities. Eventually, a thorough selection process takes place to match the disabled person to a service dog whose disposition and also skills suit his needs.




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