Service dogs provide independence as well as companionship to physically challenged people. According to the organization Service Dog Central, a service dog "is individually trained to perform tasks that mitigate the disability of his owner. Because of his advanced training, a service dog is considered medical equipment and is permitted to accompany his disabled owner to many places where pets are not permitted."
Assistance Dogs International
When searching for a service dog, it is important to locate a school which trains and certifies their dogs as federally recognized service animals. Assistance Dogs International may assist in this effort. This non-profit organization was founded in 1987, and serves as a coalition for legitimate non-profit organizations around the world which train and place service dogs. Members must meet and maintain a set of strict guidelines to remain in good standing.
The Delta Society
Founded in 1977, the Delta Society is a non-profit organization that developed the Pet Partners program - the first comprehensive, standardized training in animal-assisted activities and therapy for volunteers and health-care professionals. Their website has a comprehensive Service Animal Trainer database which allows searches by location and type of disability. Contact them at .
Canine Companions for Independence
Founded in 1975, CCI is one of the oldest non-profit organizations which trains assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, at no cost to the owner. They train four types of service dogs:
Service dogs who assist adults with disabilities by performing daily tasks
Hearing dogs who alert hearing-compromised individuals to important sounds
Skilled dogs who help children and adults with physical, cognitive and developmental challenges and
Facility dogs who work with professional handlers in health care or educational settings.
Guide Dogs of America
For vision-impaired individuals, Guide Dogs of America provides guide dogs and training free of charge to individuals in the U.S. and Canada. The organization breeds and trains their own dogs. They work closely with volunteer foster families who train the dogs until they are approximately 22 months old.
International Guide Dog Federation
This 21-year old organization sets standards for service dog training schools who provide dogs to blind and vision-impaired persons throughout the world. Members must meet and maintain standards set by the organization. The organization's website (www.ifgdsb.org.uk) contains a directory of training school members.
Tags: adults with, adults with disabilities, Assistance Dogs International, children adults, children adults with, Delta Society