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Thursday, December 16, 2004

Help train service dogs

My dog, Ebony, was a wonderful companion, but she never worked as hard as a service dog. Service dogs are vitally important to people with disabilities, and include guide dogs for the blind; hearing dogs, that alert their owners to sounds; mobility assistance dogs, which may pull a wheelchair or physically support a person; and seizure alert dogs. But these dogs must be trained to do their job. Help make that happen by supporting the organizations here, either financially or by becoming a volunteer or handler.

* Canine Companions for Independence trains hearing dogs, service dogs, and assistance dogs to help people with disabilities. Support them by raising a puppy, or donating time or other resources.

* Seach Dog Foundation trains dogs to search for people who are buried alive in disaster situations. You can donate, become a handler, or become a volunteer. It costs ~$10,000 to train a FEMA-certified search dog.

* The International Association of Assistance Dog Partners is a non-profit organization that represents people paired with hearing, guide or service dogs.

* Therapy Dogs International is an organization that "provides comfort and companionship by sharing the therapy dog with the patients in hospitals, nursing homes and other institutions. This is done in a way that increases emotional well being, promotes healing, and improves the quality of life for the people being visited and the staff that cares for these people."

So if you're a dog-lover, or if you're a person-lover, consider the work of service and therapy dogs. And do what you can to support them and the people that train and depend on them for a more independent life.

8 comments:

Karama said...

I kind of like to think of this as a service blog. Hee! Hee! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for stopping by, Steve. I hope you'll visit again soon. -- Karama

Anonymous said...

Wow! Thanks a lot, Steve! I appreciate the recognition.

Karama said...

Click here and here for information on dogs being trained to detect certain cancers, sometimes before medical doctors can. I saw this story on 60 Minutes tonight.

Karama said...

Many service dogs have been rescued. Support animal rescue by visiting the Animal Rescue Site and clicking the big purple button. Click daily, and spread the word.

Karama said...

Check out this great blog by the WillaWoman on "living With a Disability.... and Living with, Working, and Training Wheelchair Service Dogs." Enjoy!

The WillaWoman said...

Thanks for the link to my blog! Enjoy!

The WillaWoman

Karama said...

My pleasure, WillaWoman. Please stop by again soon, and spread the word!