Comparison Essay: Pet Dogs Vs. Service Dogs

Imagine seeing a blind person, walking down the street a service dog leading him. Think about your own pet dog. Would your dog have to patience to do this? Sure, the dog may be loving and adorable, and may help you in times, but service dogs help people as an actual job- and that’s what outlines the difference between pet dogs and service dogs. Pet dogs don’t work as a job, unlike service dogs. While a pet dog would be walked along the sidewalks of the neighborhood, or the paths through a park, a service dog’s situation could be different. A service dog would guide their owner through the streets, if the dog were taking care of a blind person. A pet dog would cheer people up by just cuddling in their owner’s lap. A service dog, if a therapy dog, would cheer people up by going to hospitals and other places with sad and upset people. According to usdogregistry.org (Extended link below essay), “Service dogs are dogs that have been individually trained to perform a specific task for individuals who have disabilities.”

Pet dogs are fed, groomed, and bathed by their owners. They are taken on walks with an owner, and are cared for their every necessity. Service dogs, on the other hand, must take care of their owners. A sight dog would guide the owner. A hearing dog would point out noises by doing a sign to their owner. Service dogs must always be alert and careful to not bring their owner into danger. As animalcorner.co.uk (Extended link below essay) says, “A pet dog will fit easily into family life and environment, they of course need caring for as any other pet – feeding, grooming, bathing and when ill, will need a visit to the vets. Dogs thrive on affection and will happily wag its tail when showered with love and attention. Dogs will also sit and sulk if they get told off for doing something