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Service dogs are trained to assist people with disabilities, improving their daily life and allowing them to participate in day to day activities. Service dogs give a sense of freedom, greater independence, joy, fulfilment, confidence, security, and love to their partners 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
There are many disabilities that a services dog can help with:
- ALS
- Arthritis
- Cardiac-related disabilities
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic back/neck problems
- Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy/seizure disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Narcolepsy/Cataplexy
- Paralysis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Stroke
- Vertigo
The different types of service dogs
Let’s have a look at the different types of service dogs and how they help their owners.
1. Guide dogs
These service dogs help people who are visually impaired or blind around obstacles.
2. Hearing dogs
These service dogs help people with hearing impairments and alert them when they hear noises such as alarms, doorbells or crying babies and lead them towards the noise.
3. Mobility service dogs
These service dogs can perform a wide range of tasks for people with different mobility issues. They can bring objects, press buttons on automatic doors, serve as a brace for people who are ambulatory or even help pull a wheelchair up a ramp.
4. Diabetic alert dogs
These service dogs provide independence and security, because they can alert their owner when they smell blood sugar highs and lows before the levels become dangerous.
5. Seizure alert dogs
These types of service dogs can alert before their owner has a seizure, based on a specific behavior humans have before getting a seizure. There are different opinions about the ability of dogs predicting seizures. Some neurology experts say the evidence is not 100% reliable.
6. Seizure respond dogs
These service dogs help someone who experiences an epileptic seizure. These dogs bark for help, they press an alarm button during a person’s seizure, get them out of an unsafe place or bring medication.
7. Psychiatric service dogs
These service dogs help people who are suffering from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
8. Autism support dogs
These service dogs can support children with autism who have trouble connecting with classmates. These dogs act like an icebreaker, reduce isolation and comfort the kid in stressful situations. They can also prohibit kids from running away or track them when they do.
9. FASD service dogs
These types of service dogs help kids who have been diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). These kids can have physical, mental, learning and behavioral problems. These dogs are trained similar to the autism service dogs, but could also be trained to interrupt a repetitive behavior.
10. Allergy detection dogs
These service dogs are trained to sniff out and alert to the odor of things such as peanuts or gluten.
There are also other types of dogs including therapy and emotional support dogs, but they aren’t service dogs, because they are not trained to perform specific tasks.
The different kinds of service dog breeds
Let’s have a look at the different kinds of service dog breeds.
Labrador Retriever
They are great service dogs, because of their innate loyalty, trainability and size. Labrador retrievers are also extremely adaptable, meaning they are flexible to many different lifestyles. Their steady temperament prepares them to handle obstacles and crises with a calm demeanor and reliable response.
Golden Retriever
Golden retrievers are extremely loyal, highly intelligent, and easy to train for a variety of tasks. Their size and stature makes them great at supporting those who need help with balance and walking. Golden retrievers are also great with children and other animals, and are active without being overly energetic.
Poodles
Poodles are highly intelligent and are one of the most trainable, obedient dogs. Their intelligence and love of working and companionship make them one of the top 5 service dog breeds. Beyond all else, Poodles are extremely dependable and adaptable and love being companion dogs with a purpose.
Labradoodle
Although not recognized widely as a service dog breed, Labradoodles are a cross between a standard poodle and a Labrador retriever- 2 of the top breeds with innate characteristics of a reliable assistance companion. Labradoodles can take on the intelligence of a poodle, and the adaptability of a Labrador. Labradoodles make great companion dogs for people of all ages because of their ability to adapt to each individual’s needs and preferences.
