Yes, a Service Dog is a Lot of Work, But When it’s a Good Fit, it’s Magic!
Service Dog Team Terry and Zephyr (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)
Service Dogs and their Intensive Training
Training a service dog is a monumental task, requiring significant dedication, time, and patience. But when a dog and its handler form the proper bond, the results can be life-changing, even magical. These dogs provide essential assistance, often performing tasks their humans cannot, from opening doors to detecting a medical crisis. The effort that goes into training a service dog, typically 18-24 months, is rigorous and requires the dog to learn a wide array of commands tailored to the specific needs of their future handler. Yet, for those in need, the partnership that emerges from this training is transformative and liberating.
Service Dog in Training in a Grocery Store (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)
Service Dogs and their Potential Roles
Service dogs are trained for a variety of roles, including assisting people with physical disabilities, hearing impairments, autism, PTSD, and more. Each dog is taught to respond to specific commands and needs, making the training process tailored and precise. According to Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities (ECAD), service dogs must learn upwards of 80 commands for tasks like:
Pulling wheelchairs.
Guiding people who are blind.
Alerting deaf people to sounds like a crying baby or the doorbell.
Retrieving everyday items or medical equipment.
Providing stability for mobility issues (like our dogs at MobilityDog).
Recognizing medical emergencies like seizures and low blood sugar.
Interrupting disruptive psychiatric behaviors and providing a calming presence.
These dogs are not just pets; they are working animals whose primary role is to enhance the independence and well-being of their handlers.
Learn other tasks Service Dogs Can Be Trained to Do Here.
Service Dog Sterling and Thomas: A Life-Saving Bond
One heartwarming story involves Thomas, who has Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 Diabetes. His service dog, Sterling (trained by ECAD), learned to assist him with balance and alert to emergencies. During a camping trip, Sterling woke Thomas from a deep sleep because Thomas’s insulin pump had stopped working. Despite the machine not alarming, Sterling detected a change in his owner’s condition, leading him to take swift action to save Thomas’s life by bringing him essential supplies like his blood testing kit and orange juice. This heroic act highlights service dogs' vital role, even beyond their formal training.
Service Dog Shadow and Lillie: Physical and Emotional Support
Another moving story comes from 4 Paws for Ability about Lillie, a young girl with several medical challenges. When Lillie met her service dog, Shadow, the connection was instantaneous. Her mother described the first moment as "magic," a feeling many families of children with disabilities experience when their child and service dog bond. Shadow helped Lillie navigate life’s unknowns, providing her with physical and emotional support and making a world of difference in her day-to-day life.
These relationships don't just change the life of the individual handler; they often affect the entire family as well! Service dogs help:
Reduce the stress on families.
Improve safety.
Offer companionship and much more!
Stories of service dogs like Sterling and Shadow exemplify the profound impact these animals have on their handlers and prove that while training may be intensive, the outcome can feel almost miraculous.
Service Dog Team June And Monty (Courtesy: MobilityDog.org)
Conclusion
While training a service dog is labor-intensive and demanding, the bond between dog and handler is nothing short of magical. It is much more than a working partnership; it’s a life-saving connection!
These remarkable animals bring newfound independence, confidence, and safety to those they assist, heroically living up to the title of “man’s best friend.”
Hear more personal stories from MobilityDog handlers and their fantastic Service Dogs at our upcoming Poodle Palooza and witness the magic of a working Service dog team yourself!
October 27, 2024, from 11:30am – 3pm at the Pasadena City Hall!
MobilityDog’s Poodle Palooza 2024 Announcement!