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Originally Posted by Brittie123 Kim what is it that your dogs do for you to qualify as service animals? I realize you don't have to explain your "disability" to authorities in public places but I am just curious...I know what dogs are CAPABLE of doing I'm just wondering what it is that you have trained yours to do that make them all service animals? |
Well, without embarassing or abridging the privacy rights of specific family members, I can answer in general terms. I have omitted the names to protect the innocent...lol
I have two family members who are hearing impaired and two of my dogs are trianed to alert to specific sounds that have to do with safety primarily. For example, in addition to alerting when the door bell rings or the phone rings they are trained to alert to the sound a forklift makes when it reverses in Costco for example.
Another family member used to suffer from depression and anxiety attacks and is on medication to control it. That person's dog is trained to "signal" when it is time to take the medication and also to retrieve a cell phone and personal belongings when necessary.
Another family member suffers from an auto immune disease called anklosing spondylitus. This person has a fused back and all joints are fusing as this person ages. The dogs actually assist with simple things like pulling off socks, retrieving shoes, handing items to the disabled person. picking up things that are dropped, etc.
Two of the dogs are in training to alert for specific medical condtions or emergency situations like pushing a button to dial 911 or barking loudly to alert another family member that they are in trouble, etc.
They are all trained to perform basic tasks as well and others in addition to these, but these will give you some ideas of the possibilities.