Page 154 - Aussie Magazine - 2024 Issue 3

Informative

Definition The Australian Shepherd being a partner to a person,
is one of the most athletic, and love to please. They are an
The definition of a service versatile breeds out there, excellent choice as a service
dog is “dogs that are and this is what makes them a dog or an assistance dog due
individually trained to do great service dog of all types. to their great temperament,
work or perform tasks for They are highly intelligent, loyalty, intelligence and
people with disabilities.” This love being a part of a team or athleticism.
is a very broad definition,
but the bottom line is service
dogs help people with
disabilities accomplish tasks TYPES
they otherwise couldn’t. They
undergo vigorous training
and are not household pets, There are many different with vision loss navigate the
but rather working dogs. types of assistance dogs for world. A guide dog will help
Dogs that are individually different disabilities. While their handler avoid obstacles,
trained to do work or some disorders are physical, open doors, maintain a steady
perform tasks for people some are mental. Service piece, board public transport,
with disabilities. Examples dogs help their handlers with etc. These are the oldest forms
of such work or tasks include many things and work a very of service dogs, and date back
guiding people who are blind, important job. There are a few to Pompeii, where illustrations
alerting people who are different types we will discuss show a blind man being led by
deaf, pulling a wheelchair, in this article. a dog.
alerting and protecting a
person who is having a SERVICE DOG: A service HEARING DOGS: These
seizure, alerting owners to dog is the most common intelligent dogs assist their
a panic attack, reminding a type and is the broadest deaf handlers with sounds they
person with mental illness to category. A service animal cannot hear. They are trained to
take prescribed medications, can help with many things, help their owners receive vital
calming a person with Post but in this category, it is most cues of sounds they cannot hear
Traumatic Stress Disorder often pups offering assistance themselves. These cues include
(PTSD) during an anxiety with physical disabilities or smoke or fire alarms, doorbells,
attack, or performing other impairments. door knocking, phones, alarm
duties. clocks, and even the person’s
GUIDE DOGS: These dogs name. They will guide their
Aussies are also known as seeing- owner to the sound or to safety,
eye-dogs and help people depending on the situation.
Australian Shepherds are
consistently one of the most
popular breeds, especially
in recent years. This breed
began solely as sheep
herders, but they’ve now
been used in many ways.
They are not only working
dogs but are also used as
search and rescue dogs,
therapy dogs, partners for
a veteran, part of canine
frisbee teams, and, of course,
beloved pets.

154 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 3/2024