Service Animals

Service Animals

Animals are often trained for many purposes.  We have work animals like farm dogs that herd and protect livestock, horses are trained for derby and shows as well are farm work and riding.  In short, animals are not just pets, they are vital parts of our daily lives.  One of the most important forms of working animals is service animals. 

Their Job

Service animals have many responsibilities that include

• Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks.
• Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds.
• Providing non-violent protection or rescue work.
• Pulling a wheelchair.
• Assisting an individual during a seizure.
• Alerting individuals to the presence of allergens.
• Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone.
• Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities.
• Helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. (http://adata.org)

Importance

These animals are extremely important to their owner and are well trained.  It's important to have respect for these animals and their owner as they will sometimes be in places you don't typically expect to see an animal.