Service Dog Identification
Service dogs allow people with disabilities to carry on daily tasks. The animals can be identified by the basic services they provide, but many dogs are trained with the needs of an individual in mind.
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General Identification
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Although some dogs wear tags or vests that identify them as service animals, not all do. Remember that service dogs are not pets and are working to keep their handlers safe. Don't make playful noises at them or pet them without permission, as it could distract them from their work.
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Guide and Signal Dogs
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Guide dogs can help their handlers through obstacles such as traffic. Signal dogs alert their handlers to necessary sounds, such as the doorbell.
Assistance Dogs
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Assistance dogs perform chores that a person is unable to do, such as picking up items, carrying things, and opening and shutting doors. They can also help people who have difficulty keeping their balance.
Seizure Alert or Response Dogs
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These dogs alert their handlers before or after a seizure. They also fetch medication, call for help and perform other tasks required during a seizure.
Psychiatric Service Dogs
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Psychiatric service dogs don't leave their handlers' sides. They assist their handlers by being a counterbalance for those under medication, searching a room for a person or object, identifying hallucinations and calling for help.
Autism Service Dogs
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Autism service dogs alert their handlers to behavior that might be distracting and bring missed visual or sound cues to their attention.
References
- Photo Credit "Guide Dog" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: midiman under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
