Service dog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A service dog is a type of assistance dog, specifically trained to help people who have disabilities other than visual or hearing impairment. Examples of these include psychiatric service dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and seizure response dogs. Service dogs are sometimes trained and bred by private organizations. In other cases, the disabled handler may train their dog themselves with or without the aid of a private trainer. While most regional laws do not require any special labeling of these dogs, many service dogs can be identified by the cape, jacket, or harness they wear.
If the dogs are not raised by the hosting organization, they will usually spend a year or more with a host family to become acquainted with working around people and all kinds of everyday situations. Also, in the United States, use of selected inmates in prisons as animal trainers and puppy-raisers has proved a valuable resource to service dog organizations. In addition to teaching the dogs basic obedience and other skills needed to prepare them for their future careers, such programs have proved to be mutually beneficial relationships. Often, the inmates develop improved socialization skills and behavior as a result of their work with the dogs.
The process of obtaining a service dog varies. Normally, an application must be submitted to the organization of choice, and a waiting list is usually involved. While some organizations will provide dogs free of charge, some may require large amounts of money, though financial assistance is sometimes offered. The hard work of the new handler learning to work with the dog may take a few weeks to a period stretching over several months. Also, many service dogs are required to touch up their training after they are formally placed, on a yearly or otherwise regular basis. People who train their own dogs generally spend two years or more doing so.
Service dogs and their handlers enjoy special protection under the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which gives them equal access to anywhere the general public is allowed, such as restaurants, public schools, parks, taxis, and aircraft.
