Honoring Our Assistance Dogs

A Large Light-Colored Service Dog Laying on the Grass

Every year, we recognize the hardworking canines known as assistance or service dogs. These incredible animals help their disabled handlers independently navigate their world. These trained dogs are also legally recognized as “necessary medical equipment” in allowing disabled people to maintain their life and lifestyle.

The Types of Service Dogs

The most well-known assistance or service dog is the seeing-eye dog supporting people with partial to no eyesight. In addition, there are four other types of services dogs helping with specific medical needs.

Signal or Hearing Dogs

These K9s help people with partial or complete hearing loss with important day-to-day noises like the phone, doorbell, smoke alarm, crying baby and more.

Mobility Dogs

A Large Black, Mobility Service Dog (Image Courtesy of MobilityDog.org)

These dogs, known as Brace/Mobility Support Dogs, assist their humans with tasks that may be difficult or impossible to do by themselves. Tasks like walking and balance, opening doors, pushing buttons, turning lights on and off and retrieving items.

Medical Alert Dogs

These canines are highly trained to recognize and alert to certain medical conditions for their human through biochemical changes. Conditions include strokes, heart attacks, seizures, anxiety or panic attacks, complications with diabetes and even exposure to life-threatening allergens.

Psychiatric Assistance Dogs

These dogs recognize and alert to psychiatry or mental disorders. These disorders include panic attacks and autistic behaviors. These dogs can also help reduce stress, blood pressure and more.

So, the next time you come across a Service Dog Team, take a moment to appreciate what a precious gift these incredible Assistance Dogs are to those living with disabilities in being able to navigate their world freely and independently!