In addition to providing love and companionship, dogs improve our lives in numerous ways. Assistance dogs are trained to keep their users safe and perform daily tasks to make life easier. The canines’ keen senses have benefited human societies for several hundred years. You can show your support of these helpful companions by celebrating international assistance dog week from August 1st to August 7th. Here are some of the ways assistance dogs have improved the world.

How Assistance Dogs Improve Our Lives

Each year, dog trainers seem to add another skill for assistance dogs to master. Although canines are well-known for assisting the blind, they’re capable of completing multiple other tasks and providing invaluable companionship to their users. You can learn some of the ways the animals help their handlers in the following sections.

MOBILITY ASSISTANCE DOGS

Handlers with crippling arthritis, spinal cord injuries and brain injuries benefit from mobility assistance animals. The dogs can open automatic doors, pull wheelchairs up steep inclines, and bring objects to their people.

HEARING DOGS

People with hearing problems use service dogs for several tasks, including alerting their handlers to alarms and doorbells, reacting to babies’ cries and alerting people to an emergency. Golden retrievers, Labradors and cocker spaniels are some of the breeds trained for hearing services.

GUIDE DOGS

Service dogs are indispensable for blind and hearing-impaired handlers. The canines prevent humans from walking into obstacles and entering unsafe areas such as a busy city street. Guide dogs have assisted humans for centuries. Some of the common breeds include golden retriever/Labrador mixes, poodles, and golden retrievers.

AUTISM SUPPORT DOGS

Children with autism benefit significantly from service animals. The dogs help kids socialize with others and connect with new friends. They offer comfort and security and can quickly find a child who wanders off.

PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOGS

Service dogs are invaluable to military veterans and those suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression. They make their handlers feel safer when entering an unfamiliar place or connecting with strangers.

SEIZURE RESPONSE DOGS

If a handler experiences a seizure, a seizure response dog can bark for help and activate an alarm that calls emergency personnel. Although some canines are trained as seizure-alert animals, the training is controversial, and some institutions claim dogs cannot anticipate a seizure but can help after an episode occurs. However, many owners of seizure-alert dogs attest to their effectiveness.

Support International Assistance Dog Week

On August 1st, show your support of service dogs by celebrating international assistance dog week. Make a donation to a local shelter, support charity institutions or bring your best friend in for a checkup at Pet Hospitals of Hawaii.