Service dogs are not ordinary pets, they are highly trained animals that help people with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. These dogs perform specific tasks that help their owners live more independently and safely.
Let’s discuss the main six types of service dogs and the important tasks they perform.
Guide Dogs for the Visually Impaired People
Guide dogs are special types of dogs that are trained to assist people who are blind or have vision issues. They are the most well-known types of service dogs. Guide dogs assist their handlers in going to different places safely, and help them to avoid any obstacle in their way.Â
Guide dogs are usually Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, or German Shepherds due to their intelligence and calm nature. They undergo a long process of training to ensure they can stay focused, even in noisy areas.
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf People
Hearing dogs are trained to help people who are either completely deaf or they have difficulty in hearing. These dogs assist people by alerting them to sounds in their environment.
These sounds may include doorbells, knocking, alarm clocks, phone ringing and smoke or emergency alarms. The dog will make physical contact with the person and guide them toward the sound. Hearing dogs greatly increase safety and communication for individuals with hearing impairments.
Dogs for People with Physical Disabilities
Dogs that are trained to help people with physical disabilities are called mobility assistance dogs. These dogs can perform tasks such as opening and closing doors, pressing elevator buttons, pulling wheelchairs, and pressing doorbells.
People with conditions like arthritis, spinal cord injuries, or amputations often get these dogs to help them with their daily life activities. These service animals are typically strong and sturdy breeds like Labradors or Golden Retrievers. If you’re looking for service dogs to help you with your daily tasks, make sure it’s from a reputable and trustable organization that provides proper training and certification.
Medical Alert Dogs
Medical alert dogs are trained to recognize the signs of medical emergencies and respond appropriately and immediately. This includes diabetic alert, allergy alert and seizure alert.
These dogs use their senses to monitor their handler’s condition, often catching signs before the person is even aware of the problem.
Psychiatric Service Dogs
Psychiatric service dogs help individuals who suffer from mental health conditions such as severe anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder. Their tasks may include interrupting harmful behaviors, reminding their handler to take medication, waking them from nightmares, or providing a physical barrier in crowded spaces.
Those seeking psychiatric service dogs for sale should ensure the animal is professionally trained enough to assist properly.
Autism Support Dogs
Autism service dogs are trained to help and guide children or adults with autism. Their tasks may include calming the person during an intense situation, enhancing social interactions, interrupting repetitive behaviors, and increasing safety and awareness in public places.
These dogs provide not only emotional support but also daily assistance that reduces stress for both the autistic person and their families.
