September is National Service Dog Month
Posted by Caroline Aro on 09/05/2024
September is National Service Dog Month and is dedicated to raising awareness and highlighting the invaluable and life-changing impact that service dogs have on the people in their care. Not to mention the hard work (from people and pups alike!) that make this possible.
What exactly is a service dog? The Americans with Disabilities Act defines service animals as “…dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.” (ADA 2020). Service dogs undergo up to two years of training. Whether the handler’s needs are physical or psychiatric, these dogs can retrieve objects, give seizure or diabetic alerts, assist a person through a PTSD episode, and more. There is no single type of service dog or of the types of assistance they can provide.
Service dogs are a perfect real-life example of the age-old phrase, “Dogs are man’s best friend”. The human-animal bond that can be found between a service dog and his handler is extraordinary. A dog’s nature is to be loyal, loving, dependable and devoted. Not only do they make for great companions, but research has shown time and again that pups also provide physical health benefits for their humans. Improved cardiovascular health, increased physical activity, lower cholesterol and blood pressure… All of these already incredible benefits of dog ownership, paired with the tailored training of a service dog can improve the life of those in need.
To wrap things up, here are a few things to keep in mind when interacting with a service dog:
- Respect the fact that they are working. Dog not pet service dogs who are wearing a harness, jacket or vest.
- This service dog is assisting their handler in ways you may not notice – don’t try to distract the dog by talking to it, making sounds, staring etc.
- Use this encounter as a way to educate children about what service dogs are and how to behave around them.
- Listen to the handler when it comes to both their personal needs and boundaries, and those of their service dog.