By
Joy Neighbors
Service dogs change lives! September
is National Service Dog Month – a great time to learn more about and celebrate the role that service dogs play in our lives every day.
National
Service Dog Month began in 2008 when actor Dick Van Patton launched an event to
assist in gathering funds for guide and service dog training schools throughout
the country.
What
began as one fundraiser transformed into an annual celebration to raise
awareness about service animals, their specialized training and the vital role
they play in the lives of so many Americans.
Service
dogs are specifically trained to assist those who have disabilities such as
hearing impairments, vision impairments, seizure disorders, mobility
impairments, diabetes and certain mental difficulties such as PTSD (Post
Tramatic Stress Disorder), Autism and other emotional problems. The role of a
service animal is to help a person regain their independence, provide
confidence, companionship and protection to their person.
According
to the American with Disabilities Act of 2010, “Service animals are defined
as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people
with disabilities... Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been
trained to provide must be directly related to the person's disability.”
Most
service dogs are larger breeds like Labradors, Shepherds and Retrievers,
but other dogs of smaller stature and breed are also trained to
assist people, depending on the impairment and situation. Rescue animals are
also being trained to fill many of these roles. In 2013, more than 380 rescued dogs
were trained and placed with individuals whom they now serve.
Service
dogs, regardless of their size are invaluable companions for individuals with
disabilities and most wear a special harness or vest that identifies them
as service, guide or medical alert dogs.
Here
are five ADA recognized types of service dogs that are allowed access to any
place open to the public. And remember, not all disabilities are
apparent in everyone so don't ask questions and don't judge.
1)
Guide Dogs
These
are the dogs we may be most familiar with. They are trained to assist their
owners who are blind or have low vision in navigating in the world. At one time
we called them “Seeing Eye Dogs.”
2)
Hearing Dogs
These
animals assist people who are deaf or hearing impaired. They are trained to
alert their owners via a signal to certain sounds like a doorbell, a ringing
phone, an alarm or siren. 
3)
Mobility Assistance Dogs
These larger dogs can pull a wheel chair, help steady an owner with
coordination problems or retrieve items that are needed.
4)
Medical Alert Dogs
Dogs
in this group are trained to monitor their person closely in order to recognize
the subtle signs of a life-threatening event such as a seizure, dangerous
allergens or toxins, or changes in blood sugar.
5)
Psychiatric Service Dogs
These
animals are trained to assist owners with situations such as PTSD, Autism
or depression. The dogs are trained to help alleviate the clinical signs of the
disability.
Although
the ADA does not recognize therapy dogs and emotional assistance animals, many
businesses, schools and other public places do. These dogs may be required to
pass a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test and receive a Therapy Dog Certification.
Therapy
dogs provide emotional and
psychological assistance to people in hospitals, nursing homes, hospice
centers, mental health facilities, schools and libraries. These dogs
are allowed to interact with many different people instead of being handled by
only one person. People are encouraged to pet therapy dogs. They're known for boosting confidence, offering support and unconditional love to those they interact with.
An
emotional support animal
helps those who suffer from depression, anxiety and other psychological disabilities. The animals are not trained to perform specialized tasks and cannot assist in reducing the effects of a disability. Both therapy dogs and
emotional assistance animals must have documentation from a mental health
professional stating that the animal is necessary to this person.
One
rule to always remember, do not distract or try to interact with a service dog
while it is working. The services these dogs offer their owners are
vital to their everyday well-being. Please allow them to do their jobs without
interference – someone’s life depends on them.
