Essay on Service Dogs: Much More than a Helpers

I have been doing research on mental illness service dogs for almost a year now and I feel like it would be extremely beneficial for me, especially since I am leaving for college next year. I have a few actions service dogs can be trained to do in mind that I found on a service dog website.

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

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,

Having a companion dog, usually either a Golden retriever or Labrador retriever, due to their size and gentle nature, is vastly different from simply having a pet. Service dogs go through extensive training, usually six to eighteen months, before being placed with a child and continue training after being placed in the home. The key is to evaluate the situation as carefully as possible, keeping expectations realistic and conditions flexible. A companion animal is the most rewarding when the whole family is willing to adapt and take on the responsibilities; thus increasing the quality of life substantially.

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

Not all service dogs are allowed in all public places. This paper explains all the reasons

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,

They need to be able to follow the commands at least 90% of the time. When dogs don’t successfully do this then they are not qualified to be a service dog. Service dogs are not used or pets, they are used to help people complete their daily life challenges. Because they are not pets, they are allowed anywhere because they are helping a human with their challenges. The dogs need to be calm but have to be extremely friendly.

The dog becomes the child’s constant companion, the sense of loneliness is taken away from the child. The children in these cases reported increased physical independence and freedom from relying on others to assit in daily tasks (Davis 136). The dogs undergo serious training before being placed with the child. Sometimes the dog and child would actually meet weeks leading up to the placement to warm up to eachother before permanent placement. The parent is the primary handler, the dog is trained to guide the child but ultimately take orders or listen to the parent. The dog is tethered to the child by a harness and put on a leash that the parent carries, this gives the child freedom and the parent security, the dog controls the child from darting off.

The German Shepherd is not only one of the world's most popular companion dogs, but also probably the most widely used breed for service work. The development of the German Shepherd Dog, along with a number of existing breeds, helped pioneer the modern use of dogs for service and community work that we can see today. For a breed of dog that has only been officially recognised for just over 100 years, it has made an outstanding contribution to mankind worldwide.

I volunteered at Tender Mercies pet organization on April 1,3, and 20. to complete my service learning of 6 hours. There is always so much to learn at the kennel because there is always new dogs looking for homes. Dogs are unique just like humans and they have different needs and behaviors so it makes it special to care for them. This time I had a different experience because I got to learn more about borders, which are dogs that already have owners and are only staying temporarily. The time I volunteered, I got to work closer with them and learn how you care for them. Basically, they are the same as any other dog in the kennel, but they have special instructions on how to feed them and when to take them outside. The owner of the dog will leave

It is common to think that a cute, fluffy puppy doesn't need training. After all, they're so adorable, how can you say no? If this sounds like you, change your thinking. Even an eight or ten week old puppy needs training.

After you select the puppy of your dreams, you get to take him home without a manual to tell you how to succeed at raising him. The first night is always hard because the puppy will start to miss his Mom and other siblings. He may cry or whine through out the night. One can hardly blame him for his actions.

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