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Animal Shelter
Labor Day, Dogs Work Too...
Welcome to the August 2006 issue of Pet Lovers Tips and Trends
Almost everyone has seen a Guide dog in their daily lives at some point in time, guiding their handlers around obstacles and across streets. There are, however, dogs that help someone who is deaf, in a wheelchair, and many other disabilities.
The main types of Service Dogs are: Guide Dogs: Probably the most familiar type of service dog is the guide dog that is trained to help blind or visually impaired people. These dogs serve as the eyes for their owner, navigating them through traffic, stairs and sidewalks while avoiding all obstacles that could cause injury. Hearing Dogs: Similar to guide dogs, "hearing" or "signal" dogs are specially trained to assist deaf people. They alert their owner to sounds, usually by approaching their owner and then by going back to the source of the sound. These dogs have the same access privileges as guide dogs and are permitted in all public and private facilities. Service Dogs: “Service Dog” is the catch all term for any dog that helps a physically or mentally challenged person. Listed below are a few service categories: Mobility Assist Dog: Pulls a wheelchair, carries items in a backpack, picks up items a person drops, opens/closes doors, helps the handler get dressed or undressed. Walker Dog: SsigDog:
A dog trained to assist a person with autism. The dog alerts the handler to distracting repetitive movements common among those with autism, allowing the handler to stop the movement (e.g., hand movements). A person with autism may have problems with sensory input and need the same support services from a dog that a dog might give to a person who is blind or deaf. It is also important to note that the term "service animal" is the legal terms for ANY animal that assists someone who is disabled, therefore, a guide dog is also a service dog/animal.
Like guide and hearing dogs, service dogs of any type, are also allowed in public when accompanying their disabled handler. What to do when you meet an Assistance Dog? 1. Do not pet, make noises, or call to the Assistance 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, 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. 2. 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.
3. Talk to the handler, and not to the dog! Remember to talk to the Dog handler and not only to the dog. It is very frustrating for the Dog handler when people constantly talk to the dog and not to the handler.
The Dog handler has been trained in the most appropriate techniques for working or correcting the dog. The Animal Shelter would like to thank to Brian M. who requested this topic for our August newsletter.
If you have a topic or questions we can answer in our upcomming newsletters send us an email to editor@animalshelter.org Please remember to visit our site at http://www.animalshelter.org/
Donia Pet Lovers Tips and Trends
AnimalShelter.org
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