Service Dog Training

There are between 45 to 55 million dogs per household in America (American Humane Association 2012). Furthermore, according to a national survey, the majority of dog owners chose to get a dog for the companionship as the major reason for having a dog (American Animal Hospital Association, 2004). After all, dogs are nonjudgmental, give unconditional love, can be trusted with our most intimate feelings and emotions, and are highly intelligent. These dog characteristics can significantly enhance the lives of thousands of youth and adults, especially those with disabilities and/or those who live in continuing care facilities. There are approximately 20,000 service dogs in the U.S., which includes 10,000 guide dogs (American Humane Association 2012)

Not any dog can just be a service dog. The dogs take almost up to a year to train! A service dog has to learn behaviors to help whoever the dog is supposed to help. Some examples of what they need to do is call 911, answer a doorbell, bring water for medications or provide a

After a dog is selected as being a potential service dog, it leaves its mother and goes to a family for training. During this time, the puppy is exposed to as many environments and situations as possible, such as cars, children and restaurants, since it will be going everywhere with its owner. Service dogs attend obedience school and learn simple commands, such as stay, sit, and walk.

Thesis: Dogs are everywhere now and days that you see or hear about one almost on a daily basis. But, have you ever thought of personally training one every day to help benefit someone with special needs while receiving unconditional love? Well, today I am going to give you some details about the 4 Paws University

Service dogs must be trained (for service dogs, see § 413.08 – 2D of the Florida Statutes, and 28 CFR §§ 35.104; 36.104). Though under the ADA and Florida statutes takes the position that a public entity, which includes a school division, may not require proof of service animal certification or licensing because this would “increase the expense of acquiring a service animal and might limit access to service animals for individuals with limited financial resources” (Federal Register,

The well-trained, educated staff have a vital role in coordinating and providing the necessary information to the individuals and families regarding the four types of assistance dogs. Service dogs, Facility dogs, Hearing dogs, and Skilled companion dogs. Having a knowledgeable staff who are able to deliver services, advocate when necessary, provide referrals as well as brokering for the client. These aspects in addition to, it’s structure, funding, collaboration and delivery of services, cultural competence, systems thinking, worker and leadership effectiveness are used in order to enhance or change the lives of individuals. Empowering the consumer is crucial to creating independence, thus meeting the goal of this organization.

Dogs are not just cute and fuzzy friends. Since it has been thousands of years that dogs have been trained to do things for humans, we can now count on dogs to do very specific jobs. For example, the article from the U.S. Department of Justice says, “Service animals are defined as dogs that are

So service dogs need training. One of the problems with people who need a service dog is that it is hard to know where to start. Their doctor tells them that they need one and gives them a letter stating so, but then they are on their own. Most people look to service dog organizations. These organizations train the dogs to their own set standard and will try to match them up with the right dog for their needs. This all of course comes at a cost to the disabled person. (who already has many extra costs in life.) The costs can range from five hindered to twenty thousand. One the disabled person has decided that

“Veterans report that service dogs help break their isolation. People will often avert their eyes when they see a wounded veteran. But when the veteran has a dog, the same people will come up and say, 'Hi' to pet the dog and then strike up a conversation.” This quote from United States Senator Al Franken is a shining example of the power that a service animal can have to improve the quality of life for those with special needs who have a service animal. Imagine!

Service dogs assist people that have physical and mental impairments. It was not until after World War I, a modern guide dogs school was founded. However, the United States did not have a guide dog until 1928. Now there are service dog schools across the United States like the Guide Dogs of America and Occupaws. There is act that has passed to allow services dogs to assist their owners in restaurants,

It is a very long, expensive, and complex process to train a service dog. According to Service Dogs to the Rescue it costs $50,000 to train one service dog. One thing that service dogs are trained to do is not to bark unless it’s necessary or appropriate. Also in the paw for ability website during training both the service dog and the person with some sort of disability have to be

Getting a service dog is not as easy as going to the pet store and picking out the puppy who stares into the soul and says “pick me.” For the most part, service dogs require tedious training anywhere from twelve to twenty four months and are costly according to the training and trainer. Depending on the service needed, tasks of service dogs vary from retrieving items, turning off lights, and opening doors for a disabled person to detecting seizures to relieving a person suffering with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Captain Luis Montalvan tells his account of his service dog, Tuesday, that helps him face a society with visible and invisible disabilities and overcoming discrimination with the help of federal laws in his book Until Tuesday.

Service dogs are trained to assist people with physical and mental impairments. They are not pets. It was not until after World War I that a modern guide dogs school was founded. However, the United States did not have a Seeing Eye dog until 1928. Today there are many service dog schools such as Guide Dogs of America and Occupaws. The American’s with Disabilities Act guaranties that people with service dogs cannot be refused service at restaurants, stores, health care facilities, places of lodging, or recreational settings. To obtain a service dog, a person must be legally disabled and able to train with the dog for 3-6 months. It costs an average of $25,000 to breed, train, and certify the dogs. It is usually free of charge for the visually

A service animal is one that is pre trained to help people accomplish tasks that they cannot execute on their own. These services include a wide variety of people that need help each and every single day. (“About Service Animals,” 2016). PAWS trains many service dogs to assist people who have Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Rheumatoid Degeneration, ALS, Cerebral Palsy, spinal cord injuries, and many other conditions affecting a person’s mobility or strength. Not only do they perform tasks related to a physical disability, PAWS dogs can also be trained to help with tasks having to do with a seizure disorder or hearing loss (“Paws with a Cause,” 2013). Service dogs help out physically, with cognitive and intellectual skills, sensory motions, and the mental and emotional state behind every person. The service animals’ jobs can range from helping someone get around all the way to keeping them alive day to day. The relationship and trust associated with their dog is crazy (“About Service Animals,” 2016).

It is often said that a dog is a man’s best friend. In the last 14,000 years, dogs have accompanied man by helping him hunt, guard, and protect. In our modern world, dogs help us combat in war, search-and-rescue, guide the blind, deaf, discapacitated, rehabilitate patients in therapy, aid law enforcement, and are part of our family as beloved pets (Coren). Although canine superstars such as Lassie, Old Yeller, and Rin Tin Tin portray the perfect dog we all want in our lives, these ideals are far from the truth. Many first-time dog owners expect dogs to know behaviors such as how to walk on a leash, not bite, not destroy the house, and in addition to many others. In reality, dogs must be trained on what their handler wants them to do. It is