You don’t have to be a senior to need or appreciate a dog, but I think every senior deserves the companionship and the services of a good dog.
I love reading and writing about dogs and I do it pretty often. Thankfully newspaper articles feature inspiring stories about pets on a regular basis, and I would like to share my latest find with you.
My own personal dogs have always been a bit “learning challenged,” which leaves me a bit in awe when I read about service dogs. Psychiatric Service Dogs are a new concept to me. Yochi J. Dreazen did an article for The Wall Street Journal (July 11,2009) that described the training and functions of psychiatric service dogs. They are trained, above and beyond giving physical assistance, to help people suffering from emotional problems.
These dogs, among other things, are taught to recognize the warning signs of a panic attack. Seeing eye dogs were first trained during World War I to assist blind veterans. Today, psychiatric service dogs are being trained to help post-traumatic stress victims from recent battles.
The need far exceeds the demand, of course, but it gives you an idea of the role that dogs can play in the lives of individuals who are struggling to maintain their independence. Dogs have been trained to work with people with conditions that range from mentally handicapped children, stroke victims, quadriplegics, and now stress management. Rather amazing isn’t it? Can you imagine your dog turning lights on and off, retrieving food from a shelf or helping to load a washing machine?
What do you think? I think my dog is pulling my leg when she gives me that adoring but dumb look. Hmmmm…. she is downstairs by the laundry room right now. I think we’ll start with that washing machine loading task.
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