Types of Service dogs
I help people who cannot see.
What is a guide service dog?
I go to hospitals and nursing homes to provide comfort. I have even started being used in court when children have to testify and might be upset. They get to hold me while they talk, so they don't feel so alone.
What is a therapy dog?
I was the first service dog breed used in America. I was trained overseas to help guide a blind man. I am still considered by most to be the best breed for this type of work, but there are other breeds who have begun to do this job in the last 10 years. What breed am I?
What is a German Shepherd?
(The first service dog was named was Buddy, and he made America aware of how much dogs could improve people's lives. A German Shepherd named Orient is the first guide dog to navigate the Appalachian Trail hiking with his blind handler.)
List 3 interactions that should NEVER occur between you and a service dog.
Optional correct answers:
What is touching the dog? What is calling the dog? What is distracting the dog? What is staring at the dog? What is teasing the dog? What is feeding the dog?
This is the first thing certified trainers evaluate to see if a dog can be a service dog.
What is disposition? (synonyms: gentleness, attitude, non-aggressiveness)
I am a service dog that helps people who have seizures, severe diabetes, and other serious health problems.
What is a medical alert service dog?
When people have severe anxiety or other issues particularly from war or other extreme conditions, I comfort them.
What is an emotional support animal?
Other than the first guide dog breed, name the second most common breed used for this work.
What are Labrador Retrievers?
Should you talk to the handler about why they have the dog?
What is "no, never ask what purposed a dog serves"?
(It is even illegal for businesses to do this. They can only ask to see an ID card that shows the dog is a real service dog.)
Name another qualification to be a service dog.
What is intelligence? or What is ability to solve problems?
(There is no point in trying to train the complex and independent tasks a service dog has to do if they are unable to figure out small problems.)
I help people who cannot hear.
What is an auditory service dog?
I work for volunteers who help when someone gets lost in the wilderness. Sometimes, I help find elderly people with dementia who have gotten lost in their hometowns. I am even helpful finding people when tragedies like earthquakes or avalanches make finding survivors difficult.
What is a search and rescue dog?
Types of service dogs are used most often to help people with severe allergies. (Hint: I don't want to aggravate existing allergy issues.)
Poodles or Goldendoodles (breeds that don't shed)
True or false: Service dogs are certified.
What is "false, trainers can be certified, but dogs cannot."
(This is because service dogs sometimes just quit because they don't like the work, and a certification implies a professional level of performance and expertise that can be consistently expected.)
This trait is extremely important for all service dogs because they constantly are facing new and unfamiliar situations and places. Most people don't think of this because it does not directly relate to solving problems or being safe in public.
What is confidence?
(Confident dogs can focus on helping their handler because they are not distracted by fear. Some people feel this is the most important quality even though it is not the first one that is checked.)
I help people who have gait, balance, or other walking issues.
What is a mobility service dog?
I usually start out training to be a guide service dog, but if I don't like that type of work, I can work for the fire department. I am GREAT at finding out if a fire was started by a bad person or happened naturally.
What is an arson dog?
(Dr. Collier and her family raised one of these dogs who even got his picture in the newspaper! He was supposed to be a guide dog, but he didn't like that job.)
Breeds that are used the most for mobility dogs. (Hint: I have to be very strong to do this physical work for hours at a time.)
What are Doberman Pinchers, Rottweilers, and German Shepherds?
Name foods, gifts, or other things that can be handed to a service dog.
What is nothing? Never offer a service dog food or other things. Many working dogs are on special diets, but even if they are not, they cannot be distracted.
When dogs get tired of being a service dog, they quit. They just refuse to put on their vest. They love it and don't need bribes, or they quit.
Do service dogs have to be trained by professionals to be legally qualified as service dogs?
What is "No, but it is highly recommended"?
Ok, so maybe this was a bit of an unfair question. Service dogs do not have to be trained by certified trainers, but considering how important their work is, it is an extremely good idea. Few people possess the knowledge and skills to train their own dog to the level that service dogs need.
I help people who are usually in wheelchairs or have very limited ability to move with lots of things: turning lights on and off, retrieving medicine, opening doors, and sometimes pulling wheelchairs. I can even be specially trained for the task of hitting a button to call for medical help.
What is a task service dog?
This may sound like a sad job, but it really isn't. I bring closure to families after natural disasters or terrible crimes have been committed by finding deceased people who are under rubble or even under ground. I always work for law enforcement agencies from local police to the FBI.
What is a cadaver dog?
I am considered the unofficial mascot of fire departments all over the world. This honor started because a large number of my breed are born deaf, so the fire truck siren does not bother us or hurt our ears.
What are Dalmatians?
Describe appropriate distance to keep from all service dogs.
What is "about 4 feet" Do not come up behind, startle, crowd, or get in front of them.
(Many service dogs are looking for trip hazards or low-hanging things like branches. Some service dogs are constantly sniffing the air to see if their handler is going to have a seizure.) "No distractions!"
Where are the only two places service dogs are not allowed?
(Hint: they can go to schools, hospitals, dentist offices, restaurants, movie theaters, bowling allies, offices, parks, libraries, stores, museums, and malls.)
What are zoos and aquariums?
The reason is that wild animals are not vaccinated, so the dog could, in theory, catch some weird disease from the zoo or aquatic animals. It takes so very long to train a service dog and develop teamwork with the handler that no risks can be taken with the dog's health.