September is all about service dogs and dedicated to ‘Service Dogs’. With that in mind, I decided to look into how these canines are chosen, who trains them, what that training includes, and how these dogs are matched to their respective masters.
Companion Dog vs. Service Dog
First, I located the Disabled Veteran Empowered Network which tells about Service Dogs and the differences between Companion Dogs and Service Dogs. They show that Companion Dogs are not able to escort their person into public establishments nor are they trained to tolerate a variety of experiences as are Service Dogs. Also Companion Dogs are not trained for one specific person but are mainly for emotional support. Whereas training of a Service Dog is not for emotional support but to help with one person’s specific needs. You can see the chart here: Disabled Veteran Empowered Network.
Cost Facts about Service Dogs
In 2022 the cost was an average of $3000 for a Companion or Therapy Dog, they report, as opposed to a whopping $25,000 to $40,000 for a Service Dog. Companion Dogs do need a doctor’s letter and are good for emotional help for our returning veterans or someone experiencing anxiety issues. Service Dogs are used to assist disabled persons with the handler’s particular needs.
How Service Dogs are Chosen
In an article from the American Kennel Club, entitled “Service Dogs 101″, an organization named NEADS World Class Service Dogs breeds and receives some puppies donated by pure bred breeders. This organization “..works closely with reputable breeders to determine whether their puppies are appropriate for our program based on the temperament, health and behavioral history of both the dam and the sire. NEADS also selects alert, high-energy dogs from animal shelters and rescue groups as candidates for training as hearing dogs. ”
They mainly use Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds but maintain that regardless of breed, the dogs best as Service Dogs are those that “are handler-focused, desensitized to distractions, and highly trained to reliably perform specific tasks. They are not easily diverted from their tasks at home or in public and remain attentive and responsive to their owners while working”.
Service Dog Needs
Training of a Service Dog depends on the need or needs of the dog’s future handler. For example, there are Guide Dogs for the Blind, Hearing Dogs for those hard of hearing, Mobility Dogs for balance problems, Medical Alert Dogs for those with seizure issues for instance, psychiatric service dogs, and so on. They can be large or small depending on their handler’s needs. Papillions, the article mentions, are great ‘hearing’ dogs; while a mobility issue definitely calls for a larger breed.
Professional Handler Training
There are many professional training organizations available to train service dogs. However, a handler is not required by the American Disabilities Act and USA service dog laws to use a pro training group; the handler can train their ‘service dog’ themselves. A handler can also apply for a certification to more easily enable themselves getting into public areas with their dog and even on a plane. But they do have to have a disability and train their dog to assist them with that specific disability. For example the dog needs to be able to notice a drop in blood sugar and acknowledge such for their diabetic handler or to be able to let another person know of the drop, and to retrieve medications.
Online Training
Since the training is so involved and expensive many handlers do the training themselves. They can also take advantage of online training tutorials. One online training company is Service Dog Training School.org. The training is an ongoing process in order to keep the service dog in tune and alert. There are just two questions a handler can be asked or challenged with and those are: “Is the service dog required due to a disability?”; and, “What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?”. A handler can also register their service dog to make it easier for any one questioning them to verify his or her service animal.
The AKC has some recommended training courses available to handlers for foundation training issues like their AKC Canine Good Citizen program and their Confidant Puppy E-Learning course. These programs are available for pure-breed or mixed-breed dogs.
Charitable Organizations
There are also organizations who do provide service animals for people with disabilities. One such organization is Canine Companions which trains service dogs and collects donations just for the purpose of being able to provide a person with a disability their own service dog free of charge.
Professional training groups report that 50 and up to 70 percent of their dogs fail to meet their qualification process. And, in that event, there are many households available to scoop up those animals.
ShareAmerica estimates there are 500,000 service dogs in the USA. There is no question how admired these animals are for helping so many individuals with disabilities live more independent happier lives.
It takes 1 to 2 years to train a service dog for the dog’s public interactions and for the particular disability tasks the dog needs to learn. And, as stated above, it is an ongoing process.
Helpful Info
Check out my post “Pet Seasonal Allergies” when you have your new service dog.
Another that is good is entitled “Best Flea and Tick Help for Pets“.
One additional for your new fur bud is “Pets Eat Grass..Why?”.
Animal Videos
From Big Geek Daddy, see some heroes: https://biggeekdad.com/2021/09/awesome-everyday-heroes/.
And, some best pets: https://biggeekdad.com/2021/08/best-pets-of-the-month-14/.
Lastly, check out saving animals: https://biggeekdad.com/2020/09/animals-saving-other-animals/.
Thanks
Let me have your comments down below on the left. Your ‘likes’ are also more than welcome. So glad you stopped at Pet Viewpoint today. Come back next week for more good tips and informative articles. Do click on our free “Subscribe” button at the very bottom of this page to receive our free weekly posts.