Service Dog Training can be a combination of Boarding & Training and Private One on One Training. The average service dog training program typically takes months and includes all testing and certification in accordance with ADA Service Dog law.
A properly trained service dog can mitigate a disability in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:
- Guide dogs help people who are blind or visually impaired navigate their environment. They can lead their handlers around obstacles, avoid hazards, and find specific locations.
- Hearing dogs alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing to important sounds, such as doorbells, alarm clocks, and smoke alarms. They can also help their handlers communicate with others by alerting them to when someone is speaking to them.
- Mobility dogs help people with mobility impairments, such as those who use wheelchairs or walkers. They can open and close doors, retrieve dropped items, and help their handlers get dressed and undressed.
- Medical alert dogs can detect and alert their handlers to medical episodes, such as seizures, diabetic reactions, and allergic reactions. They can also help their handlers manage their medications and other medical needs.
- Psychiatric service dogs provide emotional support and assistance to people with mental health conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression. They can help their handlers calm down during an episode, remind them to take their medications, and encourage them to participate in activities.
In addition to these specific tasks, service dogs can also help their handlers with everyday activities, such as shopping, cooking, and cleaning. They can also provide companionship and support, which can help to improve their handlers’ quality of life.
Here are some specific examples of how a service dog can mitigate a disability:
- A guide dog can help a person who is blind to cross the street safely.
- A hearing dog can alert a person who is deaf to the sound of a baby crying in another room.
- A mobility dog can help a person with a spinal cord injury to get dressed in the morning.
- A medical alert dog can wake up a person with diabetes in the middle of the night to check their blood sugar levels.
- A psychiatric service dog can help a person with PTSD to calm down during a panic attack.
Service dogs can make a big difference in the lives of people with disabilities. By performing specific tasks and providing companionship and support, service dogs can help their handlers to live more independent and fulfilling lives.