There are so many types of service dogs to be grateful for! Dogs enhance our lives, love us, and inspire us to be better people. While we’re grateful for all dogs, there are those who go the extra mile to help make the world a better place. This post is for all the dogs who dedicate their lives to service– we couldn’t be more grateful for you!
In the wake of this disastrous California fire season, we’d also like to say thank you to all the firefighters and First Responders. Seeing the devastation caused by the fires has made us reflect on what we’re grateful for, which especially includes the everyday heroes of our world. We recognize that dogs are a vital proponent of many rescue organizations and government agencies helping to keep people safe.
There are endless ways dogs can help us in our everyday lives, and these are just a few ways services dogs improve our world.
The Different Types of Service Dogs
Therapy dogs
Therapy dogs offer love, grounding, and support to anyone who needs it. You may encounter one of these gentle and loving pups at a hospital, a college library, or a disaster relief area. Therapy dogs are trained from a young age to bring confidence and support to whoever they meet. These dogs must pass a series of temperament-based tests in order to become certified.
Therapy dogs bring us joy with every wag or soft pant. We are so grateful to all the therapy dogs out there!
Assistance Dogs
Assistance Dogs carry out specific tasks to help individuals with disabilities. There are over a dozen categories of assistance, including hearing, seeing, or mobility. These dogs are called upon to react at a moment’s notice if necessary, requiring great focus and attention to their environment.
Assistance Dogs provide important support to their owners. They are exemplary companions and truly model citizens, and we are thankful to all the assistance dogs who do such amazing work!
Military Working Dogs
Military Working Dogs help the police and military perform drills, investigations, and operations. Intensely trained “K-9 units” are highly valued squadron members, recruited for their keen sense of smell, focus, hearing, and agility. MWDs put their lives on the line for our freedom, and we are so grateful to them. Thank you, Military Working Dogs!
Search and Rescue Dogs
Search and Rescue Dogs are a fundamental lifesaving resource. For example, SAR Dogs use their nose to sniff out a child lost in the woods, a skier buried under an avalanche, or an Alzheimer’s patient who has wandered away from home. Time and time again, they have proven themselves to be vital assets to rescue organizations and people around the world.
We wouldn’t like to imagine a world without SAR Dogs. Thank you for all you do!!!
As you can see, there are so many different types of service dogs with unique jobs. We wouldn’t want to imagine a world without working dogs, and we’re glad to see that more and more dog owners being inspired to train their dogs to help others.
Last updated April 12, 2019.