This week of August 1-7 is #InternationalAssistanceDogWeek! It was created to celebrate and bring awareness to all the hardworking assistance dogs that help individuals through their disability-related limitations.
Assistance dogs are utilized as a companion, helper, aid, and most importantly - a member of the owner’s family! Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and so many other breeds of dogs can be service dogs.
Here are some of the ways service dogs are used:
Guide Dogs – Assist people with vision loss, leading these individuals around physical obstacles and to destinations such as seating, crossing streets, entering or exiting doorways, elevators and stairways.
Service Dogs – Assist people with disabilities with walking, balance, dressing, transferring from place to place, retrieving and carrying items, opening doors and drawers, pushing buttons, pulling wheelchairs and aiding with household chores, such as putting in and removing clothes from the washer and dryer.
Hearing Alert Dogs – Alert people with a hearing loss to the presence of specific sounds such as doorbells, telephones, crying babies, sirens, another person, buzzing timers or sensors, knocks at the door or smoke, fire and clock alarms.
Seizure Alert/Seizure Response Dogs – Alert or respond to medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, post-traumatic stress and seizures. Medical Alert/Medical Response Dogs – Alert to oncoming medical conditions, such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, epilepsy, panic attack, anxiety attack, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Today - we celebrate the dogs that help people navigate life in a safe manner.