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Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to do for others what others cannot do for themselves. They can be trained by an individual trainer, or undergo training at one of the several service dog organizations that are available to provide professional service dog training and guidance. Guide dogs and service dogs are typically referred to as two distinctly different training programs. Guide dogs train almost exclusively to help the blind, whereas service dogs generally help individuals with many types of disabilities, particularly the wheelchair confined. Service dogs can be trained to pull wheelchairs, push things, turn lights on and off, pick up and hand their owner objects, help with walking, and some can even predict seizures.
The Assistance Dogs International, Inc. is a non-profit international organization that provides a wealth of information on training service dogs. They also assist with placing dogs for service in homes where they are most needed, and they assist with guide dogs and hearing dogs as well. The Independent Assistance Dogs Association is an advocate for legislation in the US promoting the use of dogs for service in public and private areas. There are many public and private organizations, both profit and non-profit, that provides training for service dogs.
Dogs for service can be trained to partner with individuals of all ages and all disabilities. A young child might have a service dog accompany them to school to help with backpacks and books, a war veteran who lost use of his arms might seek the services of a trained service dog to help with daily retrieving tasks, opening and closing doors, and normal household operations, and an elderly woman might require help with household operations, as well as wheelchair movement.
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are the most sought after breed for training in a service dog occupation, but German Shepherds and mix breeds are also quite popular. To be a certified service dog, minimum requirement typically require that the service dog respond to obedience commands from voice or hand signals 90% of the time in all environments. A good service dog must also walk near the disabled individual, and come when called. The service dog is required to do at least three jobs that help the disabled individual with their disability.
Training service dogs usually begins during puppyhood. The puppies-in-training are highly socialized, then at about a year old they go through more advice training that incorporates the skill for their on-the-job service dog tasks. It's not only the service dogs that go through training though, the welcoming new owner will also have to undergo a training session to learn how to care for and even give further training to their service dog.
Service dogs can go through training for service at a number of both profit and non-profit organizations. If you're interested in dogs for service, start gathering information from the international or national non-profit service dog training organization. Service dogs provide an indispensable service to the handicap. Because of an expertly trained service dog, a disabled person can start enjoying the everyday amenities that most of us take for granted in our non-disabled lives.
Mick 
