Basically, this article will deal with 3 popular types of service dogs. The most commonly used service dogs today fall into these 3 categories. Service dogs assist their handlers throughout the day, based on their disability.
Their “handlers” are people suffering from a wide range of disabilities. These disabilities range from physical, mental, and neurological problems.
Pet dogs are considered by their owners as best friends. However, service dogs are lifesavers, according to their handlers.
The most common breeds of service dogs are the German Shepherd and the retriever. However, nowadays, service dog trainers are experimenting with other canine breeds.
Obviously, this makes it easier to offer more variety to PWDs in need. (People With Disabilities)
German Shephard
Here are 3 popular types of service dogs.
1. “Seeing Eye” Guide dogs
These service dogs lead blind or visually impaired people through their daily activities. Additionally, they help them get around any physical obstacles.
Usually, the breeds most trusted with this job include Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden and Lab hybrids. However, Poodles serve in this capacity as well.
Guide dogs have served as companions for the blind and the visually impaired for hundreds of years. According to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, as far back as to the Roman age
Currently, most of the laws we created about service animals were enacted with guide dogs in mind. The Handlers control the Guide dogs by using a special harness.
You may find this article interesting. https://happymutt.org/why-was-the-labradoodle-created/?fbclid=IwAR12HRgg6GdiDIT04cSpbPCkKaOri98EqxLv50pJGwQvgQs-bR7MDWQLnNE
Labrador Retriever
Standard Poodle
2. Hearing dogs
These dogs help hearing-impaired individuals. Typically, their major function is alerting their handlers to significant noises.
The most common of these noises are crying babies, doorbells, and alarms. As soon as “hearing” dogs pick up these sounds, they touch their handler with their noses. Once they have their attention, they lead them to the source of the noise.
Similar to guide dogs, hearing dogs are most often Golden Retrievers and Labradors. Recently, however, other breeds, have also been chosen to train as hearing guides.
Two of the most popular breeds added to the list are Miniature Poodles and Cocker Spaniels. Recently, per Assistance Dogs International, increasing numbers of small-to-medium rescue dogs have been trained as hearing dogs.
These rescue dogs often include Terrier mixes, Cockers, Lhasa Apsas, Poodles, and Shih Tzus. Most importantly, the following breeds have the temperament and personality vital to hearing dogs.
Lhasa Apsa
3. Mobility assistance dogs
For people with mobility problems, these dogs help out in many ways. These functions include, among other things, the following.
- fetching objects
- serving as a brace
- pulling wheelchairs,
- pressing automatic door buttons
Fortunately, many people with brain injuries, arthritis, spinal cord injuries, and muscular dystrophy can be helped by a mobility assistance dog. Thankfully, with the help of these dogs, people with mobility concerns are more confident and independent.
Dogs of many breeds are capable of assisting with mobility. However, you must consider the size of the disabled person. Obviously, the basic rule is that these dogs must be large enough to provide physical support to their human.
Great Dane
Service Dogs Help Many Other People With Varied Disabilities
There are many other services that dogs provide to help humans. Here are 2 links to articles about many more kinds of service dogs. https://excellentdogsclub.com/11-photos-of-service-dogs-and-their-humans/
https://happymutt.org/dogs-for-persons-with-disabilities/
Thanks to Pixabay for some of the photos
