For many people, especially animal lovers, the benefits of owning a service dog seem clear. What is not always as clear are the daily demands and long-term commitment that owning a dog requires.
What Are Service Dogs?
Service dogs are highly trained animals that provide physical assistance to people with disabilities. There is no standard breed, although many trainers choose to work with Golden Retrievers, Labradors and German Shepherds. Dogs are trained to perform a variety of tasks that may include picking up dropped objects, opening doors and drawers, turning light switches on and off, and fetching telephones, remote controls and articles of clothing.
Specialized service dogs include seeing eye dogs, which provide specialized assistance to the blind, and hearing ear dogs, which alert deaf owners to sounds like alarms, crying babies, doorbells and ringing telephones.
In addition to providing extraordinary practical help, service dogs offer companionship, devotion and affection to their owners.
Owning a Service Dog–A Serious Decision
The decision to own a service dog should not be undertaken lightly. Dog ownership demands daily attention to the dog's physical and emotional needs as well a long-term commitment to maintaining the animal’s health and well-being throughout its lifetime. The service dog and its owner work together as a team over many years; benefits must flow in both directions, to and from both dog and owner.
Basic Responsibilities of Dog Ownership
Dogs must be taken outside to relieve themselves, in good weather and bad, whether the timing is convenient for the owner or not. Dogs need affection, firmness, playtime, and a regular routine of feeding and walks. Even a well-trained dog will occasionally misbehave or develop inconvenient habits. Dogs may bark, shed, jump on furniture, or act in a rambunctious manner. According to Burnie Blackmon, Assistant Technology Specialist at BraunAbility, "You’re basically taking responsibility of a perpetual two-year-old that must be fed, watered, groomed, doctored, exercised and, most importantly, controlled."
Service dogs require regular medical check-ups, grooming, and exercise to stay healthy and comfortable. Any dog may develop an unexpected health problem that demands attention and treatment. In addition, plans must always be in place to ensure uninterrupted care of the dog, should the owner become ill or need to be hospitalized.
Demands of Owning a Service Dog
Owners must commit to maintaining the dog’s training, and to addressing problems as they arise. Dogs require a period of transition while they adjust to their new environment, learn to properly respond to the owner's commands in many new situations, and get to know the people and places that are part of the owner's life. Many service dog organizations look on the first months as a probationary period during which the owner must send in regular progress reports.
Other Considerations
Most service dog training organizations require an intensive period of “team training” during which the owner and dog get to know each other and begin to work as a team. The owner must learn to effectively command and reward the dog. The initial training session may last as long as two weeks with as many as 60 hours of training. Team training usually takes place at a training center, which may entail a hotel or motel stay for the duration.
First Steps
If you are interested in owning a service dog, the first step should be to contact an established organization. Reputable service dog organizations require an in-depth evaluation of the prospective owner’s situation in order to ensure that the owner understands the difficulties as well as the benefits of owning a service dog. By providing detailed and honest information about your needs, hopes and home situation, professional trainers can help to answer the question of whether the benefits, joys and responsibilities of owning a service dog, will be right for you.
If you decide to proceed with owning a service dog, and your application is accepted, the organization will work hard to make a good match between you and your dog. Most organizations also offer lifetime support for owners and their dogs.
Resources:
- Canine Working Companions, Inc.
- Dogs for the Disabled
- Paws With a Cause
- The Seeing Eye
Melissa Cooper writes on birds, urban wildlife and other animals.
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Melissa Cooper - Melissa Cooper is a freelance writer who specializes in articles about the history and natural history of Manhattan, urban wildlife and ...
