Dogs can be great companions for the physically challenged.
Dog ownership carries a lot of responsibility. When circumstances change in your family, perhaps due to a move, the birth of a baby or a new job, your dog may not adapt and you might not be able to give it the attention it deserves. You can make the decision to donate your dog to assist a handicapped person, which is often a winning situation for everyone involved. It is essential that you find the right placement and follow up properly.
Instructions
1. Know your dog thoroughly--breed, age, sex, temperament and overall physical well-being--and have all vaccination and medical records from your veterinarian available as you begin the process of transitioning your pet to its new environment. Retrievers and poodles under three years of age are most in demand as service dogs, but other dogs can be successfully trained to work with the handicapped, too.
2. Investigate shelters and rescue organizations in your community that can assist you in placing dogs with special needs individuals. Dogs that are high energy or have a nervous disposition will not be good candidates. Contact "no-kill" facilities that have foster homes ready to temporarily house the dog if the shelter is filled and you can no longer keep your pet.
3. Be prepared to make a monetary donation to cover the cost of training your dog to help the handicapped gain greater independence. The trainer must ensure that your dog meets the minimum standards set by Assistance Dogs International, Inc. Your dog may be trained to perform service-oriented tasks such as barking to alert its owner to danger, opening a door or latch, or providing balance. The standards mandate that the commands be followed 90% percent of the time upon first request.
4. Check out resources such as 4 Paws for Ability that can help you find the right placement. Some dogs can better assist physically challenged or autistic children, others are more suited for deaf clients, and still others thrive in group settings such as therapy centers, rather than becoming in-home companions.
Tags: find right, find right placement, physically challenged, right placement