Assistance dogs are specially trained to help people with disabilities live more independently. These dogs perform different tasks depending on the needs of the person they are helping. Whether it’s guiding someone who can’t see well, alerting someone to sounds they might miss, or providing mobility support, these dogs make life easier and safer for their owners.
There are several types of assistance dogs, including guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility assistance dogs, service dogs, and dual-purpose dogs. Each dog has a specific role that helps people live more independently.
Types of Assistance Dogs
Guide Dogs Guide dogs are trained to help people who are visually impaired. They guide their owners around obstacles and help them navigate streets safely. These dogs even have the ability to ignore a command from their owner if it’s not safe to cross the street, making life much safer for their owner (Audrestch et al., 2015).
Hearing Dogs Hearing dogs help people who are deaf or have hearing impairments by alerting them to important sounds like doorbells, fire alarms, or phones ringing. The dog will touch the owner with its paw or nudge them to get their attention and then lead them to the source of the sound (Audrestch et al., 2015).
Mobility Assistance Dogs Mobility assistance dogs help people with physical disabilities by performing tasks like opening doors, turning on lights, and retrieving items. These dogs make everyday tasks much easier for people who have trouble moving around (Audrestch et al., 2015).
Service Dogs Service dogs can be trained for specific medical tasks. For example, medical detection dogs can alert their owners to health changes like a drop in blood sugar for people with diabetes or warn of an impending seizure for someone with epilepsy. Autism assistance dogs help children with autism by providing comfort and acting as a bridge for social interactions (MedicalMutts.org)
Dual-Purpose Dogs Some dogs are trained to help with more than one disability. For example, a dog may be trained to guide a person who is both visually impaired and deaf. These dogs are highly skilled and are specially trained to meet the unique needs of their owners (Audrestch et al., 2015).
The Impact of Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs are life-changers. The main impact of assistance dogs is that they help people complete daily tasks more easily and independently. Studies have shown that people with guide dogs, hearing dogs, and mobility assistance dogs are able to do more on their own, reducing their need for help from others (Audrestch et al., 2015).
For example, guide dogs help visually impaired people move around more easily. Research has found that people with guide dogs have greater freedom and are able to participate more fully in society. Similarly, hearing dogs give deaf people more independence by alerting them to sounds that they would otherwise miss, like a fire alarm or a phone call (Audrestch et al., 2015).
In addition to physical help, assistance dogs also improve their owners’ emotional and social well-being. Many owners report that their assistance dog makes them feel less lonely and more confident in social situations. For people with mobility or hearing impairments, these dogs can also make it easier to meet new people and interact with others (Audrestch et al., 2015).
The Need for More Research
While we know that assistance dogs are incredibly helpful, more research is needed to fully understand the many ways these dogs improve the lives of people with disabilities. The current studies are often small or biased, meaning we need larger and more detailed research to back up what we already know. With better research, we can help more people and improve social policies to make life easier for those who rely on these amazing dogs (Audrestch et al., 2015).
Conclusion
Assistance dogs are heroes in disguise. Whether they’re guiding, alerting, or providing emotional support, these dogs play a huge role in making life easier for people with disabilities. As we learn more about the impact of these dogs, we can continue to improve their training and help more people live independent, fulfilling lives.
Here are some resources if you need a service dog:
Medical Mutts Service Dogs (https://www.medicalmutts.org/)
Guide Dogs for the Blind (https://www.guidedogs.com/)
Assistance Dogs International (https://assistancedogsinternational.org/)
ReferencesAudrestch, H. M., Whelan, C. T., Grice, D., Asher, L., England, G. C. W., & Freeman, S. L. (2015). Recognizing the value of assistance dogs in society. Disability and Health Journal, 8, 469-474.