Each year, the first full week of August starting with a Sunday is designated International Assistance Dog Week.  IADW was established more than 35 years ago and continues its mission of public education and raising awareness of the vital role assistant dogs play in the lives of their mentally or physically disabled companions. These specially trained animals serve as aides, companions, helpers, best friends, and family members to their human partners.
 

Types of Assist Dogs

Assistance dogs, or service dogs, are working dogs specially trained to help individuals with specific needs or disabilities. These dogs are not pets and are required to work within ADA guidelines for assistance/service dogs. There are seven common types of service dogs.
 

1. ALERT DOGS

Alert dogs are trained to assist individuals with health issues such as seizure disorders and diabetes. They can detect scent changes that indicate a drop in blood sugar or an imminent seizure.  Alert dogs warn their humans of rises or drops in blood sugar before the levels become dangerous. These animals are also trained to react to seizures by bringing medication or phones to the person about to have a seizure and to alert people nearby of a seizure in progress so they can obtain medical help.
 

2. ALLERGY DETECTION DOGS

Also known as anaphylaxis service dogs, allergy detection dogs are trained to identify the presence of potential allergens, such as peanuts and gluten, by scent. They can then warn their human companion that a harmful substance is present.
 

3. AUTISM SUPPORT DOGS

Often, children with autism feel isolated and experience confusion and anxiety more than other kids. Autism support dogs help autistic kids connect with other kids, help them avoid distractions, and keep them from running away from stressful situations.
 

4. GUIDE DOGS

Guide dogs, or seeing-eye dogs, are probably the most recognizable service animal. Their purpose is to help blind people navigate obstacles. They usually lead their human companions by means of a special harness with a handle.
 

 5. HEARING DOGS

People who are deaf or hard of hearing often employ hearing dogs. These dogs alert their human companions to sounds like doorbells ringing, babies crying, phones ringing, alarm clocks and, more importantly, smoke and fire alarms, as well as other noises.
 

6. MOBILITY ASSISTANCE DOGS

People confined to wheelchairs or with limited mobility resulting from anything from arthritis to spinal cord injury utilize mobility assistance dogs. These assist dogs are trained to fetch and carry items for their owners.
 

7. PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE DOGS

It's important to note that psychiatric service dogs are not the same as emotional support animals. Psychiatric service dogs are specially trained to help people with diagnosed psychiatric disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, for example. The dogs help their owners adjust to their environment, interrupt panic attacks and remind them to take medications.

Whether it's calming someone with PTSD, warning someone of an impending seizure, or bringing slippers to someone with mobility impairment, assist dogs to perform acts of helping and heroism for their owners every day.

Pet Hospitals of Hawaii is proud to promote International Assistance Dog Week and to honor not only these hard-working canines but also those who raise and train them. We are privileged to care for assistance dogs as well as animals from all walks of life.