MIXED EMOTIONS TODAY
So today on our way to my grand daughters Karate Lesson we were dropping of on of our pups at their new owners house. It is always a difficult day when you have to separate with one of these magnificent animals but we know that she is going to a wonderful new home. Sounds like the dog will be around a lot of kids at the new owners home and at the karate dojo. These dogs are so wonderful with children that I have no doubt she will thrive with the new family.
MORE THAN JUST DOGS
That brings me to my next topic of conversation (rant if you will!), not so much about Kooikers specifically but about how wonderful these animals can be at all times. Service Dogs. Dogs are so much more that just a four legged furry animals. A “service dog” is any guide dog, hearing dog, or other dog trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a physical or mental disability.
They come in so many different forms.
Service dogs are often considered in one of five categories:
| Hearing Dogs | (“Signal Dogs”) Alert deaf or hearing-impaired people to important sounds |
| Psychiatric Service Dogs | Help with mental health disabilities such as PTSD, Major Depression, Panic/Anxiety, agoraphobia, schizophrenia, and the like |
| Mobility Dogs | Perform tasks and provide support and balance for ambulation for those with limited mobility |
| Medical Alert Dogs | Trained to be sensitive to medical events or conditions, including diabetes, seizures, and cardiac conditions |
| Guide Dogs* | (“Seeing Eye Dogs”) Guide blind or visually impaired people around obstacles |
All of the titles, distinguishing categories and types of Service Dogs have no bearing under federal law — a Service Dog is a Service Dog is a Service Dog. However, the various types of Service Dogs make breaking down the dogs’ functions, jobs and tasks a little easier and can make a trainer’s life less stressful. For example, a Service Dog trainer may have a ton of experience training Diabetic Alert Dogs, but may not be qualified to train and place Visual Assistance or Guide Dogs.
Service dogs perform so many different things for individuals in need. Some things i have seen them do are getting help, pulling on command, turning lights on or off barking to alert of danger, doorbell, or telephone, blocking (creating space around an individual)
opening doors, drawers, and refrigerators retrieving specific objects (videotapes, keys, remotes, etc.) or dropped articles, carrying lots of different objects for their owner and so so much more.
Please please please if you see a trainer training the dog do not interfere! these dogs are usually just pups (a bit older of course) but need to have full concentration while training. Please explain to your children what is going on and explain all the wonderful things dogs do for us humans.
Check out Buzzfeeds post about some awesome service dogs here
Have you had experience with a service dog? We would love to hear from you or see a picture of the service dog.
take care, and take care of your Kooikers!
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