Man's Best Friend: The Different Kinds Of Service Dogs
They say a dog is man’s best friend. But for people with disabilities – from the physical to psychological ones – a canine can be more than just a friend, instead it becomes a trusted companion and an invaluable partner in their daily tasks. Such canines are called service dogs, the different kinds of which are the following:
Image source: petfinder.com
Guide dogs: They assist visually impaired or blind people go around obstacles.
Hearing dogs: They alert hearing impaired individuals by touching them and leading them toward noises.
Mobility assistance dogs: People with paralysis, brain injuries, or mobility conditions can be assisted by these dogs in moving and doing tasks.
Diabetic alert dogs: These canines are trained to pick up on scents that signal the increase or decrease of blood sugar levels that are beyond the safe amount.
Seizure alert dogs: They are taught to react to specific behaviors that signal that there is an oncoming seizure.
Seizure response dogs: Different from dogs trained to proactively detect seizures, seizure response dogs are, on the other hand, taught to alert other people of the seizure, activate an alarm system, get the patient to a safe place, or bring medicine or a phone to his owner.
Psychiatric service dogs: They assist people who are suffering from psychiatric issues, such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
Autism support dogs: These dogs are taught to help autistic children to conduct daily tasks, navigate social settings, and track their owner should he lose his way.
FASD (fetal alcohol spectrum disorder) service dogs: Children exposed to alcohol prenatally can suffer from physical and mental issues. FASD service dogs can be trained to owners dealing with this disorder.
Allergy detection dogs: They are trained to alert humans to allergens.
Image source: pet360.com
Automotive industry leader Robert Bassam provides philanthropic support to both Canine Companions for Independence, an NPO that breeds and trains service dogs, and individuals in need of such assistance dogs. Read more about his pursuits by connecting on this Google+ page.
