by guest blogger Susan Wright, DMV
In days gone by, dogs were generally used for herding, hunting or working on farms. In today’s world, dogs are used in numerous ways. We now have therapy and service dogs. These dogs are trained to aid people with disabilities such as physical, emotional and health impairments. Due to this fact, service and assistant dogs are not considered pets, they are allowed in areas, which other dogs never have access to.
· When therapist use dogs to assist them with patients, the dogs provide the patient with the opportunity to give affection as well as receive it. These dogs have been used successfully in children’s hospitals as well as nursing homes. Patients receive the healing undivided attention and affection from these dogs, which we all crave.
· Some dogs are trained to alert their owners of the onset of an epileptic seizure, hours in advance; it is a mystery as to how these dogs predict a seizure with such accuracy. Researchers indicate this ability or instinct is natural within some dogs, these dogs using their sense of smell can detect a chemical and electrical change within their owner’s body.
· Other dogs seem to have an incredible skill and ability to detect in advance, a sudden drop in a diabetic’s blood sugar. These remarkable dogs have been acknowledged in the medical field for saving their owners lives. It is a shame that medical insurance companies will not cover the cost of these alert dogs, which could possibly save a number of lives every year.
· People with limited range of motion, such as those who are practically paralyzed use service dogs, which are trained for the mobility impaired. These dogs are used for retrieving items, carrying items and may even help to pull their owners wheelchair. Service dogs are also used for patients with balance and stability issues.
· Hearing impaired owners benefit from professionally trained companion dogs. The National Education for Assistant Dogs Services train and provide companion dogs for those who are hearing impaired this includes veterans and people suffering from autism. Service dogs provide vital assistance, love and companionship for their owners.
· One of the most well-known of all service dogs is the Seeing Eye Guide Dog. This service dog allows their visually impaired owner to move about safely in their homes as well out in the public. The dog also allows their owners to have a greater sense of independence. Seeing Eye dogs originally came into play after World War 1, to assist veterans which came home visually impaired.
Susan Wright DMV is a vet, a dog expert and freelance writer. Susan shares articles on health conditions as they relate to dogs to help dog owners learn how to properly care for their pets.
Photo courtesy: http://www.sunnydayphotos.com
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