Pamela Dombrowski-Wilson offers the following royalty-free article for you to publish online or in print. Feel free to use this article in your newsletter, website, ezine, blog, or forum. ----------- PUBLICATION GUIDELINES - You have permission to publish this article for free providing the "About the Author" box is included in its entirety. - Do not post/reprint this article in any site or publication that contains hate, violence, porn, warez, or supports illegal activity. - Do not use this article in violation of the US CAN-SPAM Act. If sent by email, this article must be delivered to opt-in subscribers only. - If you publish this article in a format that supports linking, please ensure that all URLs and email addresses are active links. - Please send a copy of the publication, or an email indicating the URL to [email protected] - Article Marketer (www.ArticleMarketer.com) has distributed this article on behalf of the author. Article Marketer does not own this article, please respect the author's copyright and publication guidelines. If you do not agree to these terms, please do not use this article. ----------- Article Title: Service Dogs Assist Disabled 10 Things to Know Author: Pamela Dombrowski-Wilson Category: Family, Health, Pets and Animals Word Count: 860 Keywords: service dogs, disabled, American disabilities association, dog training, companionship, activities Author's Email Address: [email protected] Article Source: http://www.articlemarketer.com ------------------ ARTICLE START ------------------
How often do you see a disabled person with a service dog? Have you ever wondered what a service dog could do for you or your loved one if you are disabled? According to Freedom Service Dogs, a local non-profit organization based in Denver Colorado, service dogs perform a wide variety of tasks, tasks include retrieving and carrying objects, pushing a lifeline or a 911 call button, medication reminding, finding and retrieving a telephone, items from refrigerator, and turning lights on and off. They also enhance balance for the disabled person while walking, escalating up and down stairs, providing a brace for transfers, assisting in pulling a wheelchair, and most importantly finding help when needed. These tasks are just a small look into the assistance a service dog provides. Companionship also develops between a service dog and its owner offering emotional comfort and support. Before considering a service dog an individual should consider some of the following. Many service dog providers rescue dogs from animal shelters and train them to assist people with disabilities. Here are ten things to know before you consider adopting a service dog. 1. Not everyone qualifies for a service dog. The Americans for Disability Act defines a disabled person as follows: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of such an impairment, or being regarded as having such impairment. It is important to check with your state regulations to determine if you qualify for a service dog. 2. A service dog is a financial obligation. Once you open your home to a service dog you are responsible for paying for the placement fee of $500 (subject to waiver depending on income), food, medical expenses, grooming and end of life needs. 3. Discounts on services are sometimes available. Owners can research dog food companies, veterinarians and groomers who will sometimes give discounts to owners purchasing items or services for their service dog. 4. Service dogs require care from you. Keep in mind that your service dog will need daily exercise, continuous training and frequent outings for bodily functions. You must be able to provide this level of care. 5. A pre screening process, usually an interview takes place with the company providing the service dog. The needs and characteristics of both the disabled individual and service dog are considered. Once a match is made, a client - dog team is created and training begins. 5. Training is work, having a service dog means that you will continually work to train the dog. The dog is not a traditional pet, it is a working dog to support you and ongoing training requires a level of commitment and discipline on the part of the owner. 7. There is usually a thirty day bonding period once the client-dog team has been established. Bonding must occur in the disabled individual's home before the service dog becomes fully aware of the surroundings and the required tasks. This usually takes about thirty days. 8. Successor dogs are available. When a service dog needs to retire because of age, medical difficulties or even passing away, a successor dog is provided to the disabled individual. 9. Some service dogs retire. If a service dog is medically unable to assist, the owner can keep the dog as a pet, have a friend or family member adopt the dog or return the dog to the agency and they will find someone to adopt the dog as a pet. 10. Just as people die, dogs die. Consider how you will work through the loss and emotion that accompanies this transition and also the cost. Both are your responsibility to the dog. It is interesting and amazing to think that a dog can provide physical and emotional support in addition to companionship for a disabled person, allowing them to live a more independent and peaceful life. However, pet ownership comes with responsibility. It remains the responsibility of the owner to provide care for the service dog as well as continue to do everything that they can do for themselves outside of their disability. Each individual and situation is different and it is important to recognize that owners and their services dog need to adapt, train, learn and grow together. It is also important to create an outline of the care you expect from your service dog and an outline of the care that you can provide for your service dog. Keep in mind that if you can reach something you should not expect your service dog to retrieve it for you; most often they will not because they know that you can. This service to you is not only to help you but to maintain the abilities that you have and create a partnership that will give way to new independent horizons. The best way to provide quality of care for you or your loved one is to establish a genuine understanding of expected outcomes of having a service dog. Pamela D. Wilson, The Care Navigator, supports adult children and others caring for loved ones. She also hosts a weekly talk show on 630 KHOW Denver focusing on caregiving. Contact her at http://www.thecarenavigator.com where you can also access free information. ------------------ ARTICLE END ------------------ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
