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Service Dog
*** Shopping-Tip: Service Dog
A '''service dog''' is a type of
assistance dog that is specially trained to help people who have
disability disabilities other than
visual impairment visual or
hearing impairment. Examples of these include
psychiatric service dog Psychiatric service dogs,
mobility assistance dogs mobility assistance dogs, and
seizure alert dog seizure alert dogs. Service dogs are sometimes trained and bred by private organizations. In other cases, the disabled handler may train their dog themselves with the aid of a private trainer. While the law does not require any special labeling of these dogs, many service dogs can be identified by the
cape,
jacket, or
harness they wear.
Among other things, service dogs are trained how to pick up objects, open and close doors, and operate
light switches. Some service dogs are trained to pull individuals in
wheelchairs. During their training, the dogs usually spend a year or more with a host family to become acquainted with working around people. Many service dogs continue their training after they are formally placed with a person, usually on a yearly basis.
The process of obtaining a service dog varies by each organization. Normally, an application must be submitted, and a waiting list is usually involved. The costs for a service dog also vary, however financial assistance may be available.
Patience and repetition are critical components of successful animal training for service dogs. In the
United States, use of selected inmates in
prisons as
animal training animal trainers has proved a valuable resource to service animal agencies. In addition to teaching the dogs basic obedience and other skills needed to prepare them for their future careers and thereby adding to the short-supply of service animals, such programs in correctional centers have proved to be mutually beneficial relationships. Often, the inmates develop improved socialization skills and behavior as a result of their work with the dogs.
Service dogs and their handlers enjoy special protection under the
United States U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which gives them equal access to public facilities, such as
restaurants,
parks,
taxicab taxis, and
airplanes.
See also
*
Assistance dog
*
Guide dog
*
Hearing dog
*
Psychiatric service dog
*
Seizure alert dog
External links
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Assistance Dog Discussions
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Assistance Dogs - Dogs in Human Health
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Assistance Dogs International
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The Delta Society
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International Association of Assistance Dog Partners
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Legal information about service dogs in the U.S.
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Leonbergers as Service Dogs, and general Service Dog information
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Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides
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Seizure-alert dogs National Geographic News article
-
Working Dogs Cyberzine
Service Dog Organizations
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Pacific Assistance Dogs - Vancouver, BC and Calgary, Alberta
-
Paws With A Cause
-
Canine Companions for Independence
-
Helping Paws, Inc.
-
Hearing and Service Dogs of Minnesota
-
Susquehanna Service Dogs
Category:Assistance dogs
ja:介助犬
nl:ADL-hond
no:Servicehund
see
Service_dog
*** Shopping-Tip: Service Dog