Not only do dogs benefit an individual’s health unintentionally, they can also provide lifesaving medical interventions as service and support dogs. These service and support dogs positively impact individual lives, and they also have a profound effect on society as a whole. It can be observed daily, through personal experiences, the impact service dogs have on individuals with certain limitations. Service dogs are used to help individuals with various physical disabilities. Service dogs can be trained to help individuals who are not physically able to accomplish day-to-day tasks. There are service dogs that are specially trained to aid individuals who are blind or hearing impaired. Dogs trained to aid visual and hearing-impaired individuals …show more content…
are imperative to their owners, as they help their owners navigate through a sensory dependent society. Psychiatric service dogs are those that are specially trained to aid individuals with mental illnesses. These dogs are well known for their work with individuals with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Psychiatric service dogs are specially trained to help individuals manage their mental health illnesses, compared to therapy dogs whose presence provides emotional support. Dogs can also be trained as medical alert dogs; these dogs are trained to alert individuals to bodily changes that may be indicative of a health problem (“Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs and Therapy Dogs.”). For individuals with disabilities or medical concerns, the presence of a dog is life altering. Dogs are the greatest animals because they can be utilized in a way that increases an individual’s quality of life and promotes society as a whole. The use of dogs in society is not limited to the physical and emotional needs of some individuals.
Dogs benefit society as a whole as they are utilized throughout several occupations to provide numerous tough but necessary tasks. The media frequently displays dogs accomplishing numerous jobs throughout society. Dogs are used by various police organizations to deter criminals. These dogs are trained to assist police in detecting certain substances as well as locating individuals of interest. Bomb units typically have bomb-sniffing dogs, and these dogs are vital to their operations. Dogs are also used by the military in various operations. The military utilizes dogs and their unique talents to complete various tasks (Wagner). Many of these dogs are considered heroes as their work protects their fellow comrades. Search and rescue dogs are used in attempts to locate missing individuals in various situations. Rescue dogs are also utilized in mass casualty situations. For example, after the September 11th terrorist attacks, hundreds of dogs were brought in to participate in efforts to find survivors and remains. Dogs can also be trained as cadaver dogs. These dogs use their sense of smell in attempts to identify missing individuals and human remains. They are imperative to some crime scene investigations. Some courthouses have also employed dogs, as these dogs comfort individuals who may have to give a difficult testimony. Dogs have become essential to certain job fields. The …show more content…
training and work that they perform can be rigorous. Dogs perform numerous jobs, and their contributions to society cannot be overlooked. Dogs contribute to the overall health of their owners as well as to society as a whole.
However, when considering them the greatest animal, one must also acknowledge the profound meaning they have for people as well as the life lessons and values they instill. Due to the bond that has developed between dogs and their owners, dogs are now seen as family, not just a pet. When a dog passes away, it is a deep and emotional event for their owner. Dogs and humans have become deeply connected as dogs instill and display valuable attributes. Dogs do not discriminate, they are accepting. Dogs are fiercely loyal companions who are devoted to their owners. They are a source of comfort for many. Dogs can provide individuals with a sense of protection and are a source of joy. Dogs give their owners a sense of purpose and are an important aspect of an individual’s life. Dogs are the greatest animals because their presence promotes the wellbeing of many. As a dog owner, it is evident that dogs play an important role in the lives of
many. Although dogs should be considered the greatest animals due to their health benefits, societal contributions, and profound meaning, many would not consider them as such. Dogs are expensive to maintain as pets and are more work than most other pets. However, do the costs not outweigh the benefits? Dogs are sociable animals and are the most engaging pets. Many would not consider dogs to be the greatest animals because they have the potential to sicken their owners rather than provide them health benefits. Dogs can cause their owners to become sick. However, if a dog is properly cared for, it is unlikely that they will negatively sicken their owner, but instead promote their owner’s overall health. Some do not consider dogs to be the greatest animals because of their violent tendencies. Over the past few years, there have been numerous stories about aggressive dogs and dog attacks on humans in the media. These aggressive behaviors could be beneficial, as some dogs only display aggression in attempts to protect their owner (such as in a home invasion). However, although some dogs are genetically predisposed towards aggression, the environment they are raised in greatly influences their behavior (“Dog Aggression”). Aggressive dogs are typically reared in environments that promote aggressive behavior. Also, the media tends to only highlight the extreme cases, and this is not representative of the whole dog population. Many feel that dogs may not be the best animals because some of their characteristics make them unsuitable as pets. However, many of these objections are based on rare cases, and the contributions of dogs still qualify them as the greatest animals. Dogs have been accompanying humankind for hundreds of years. Serving as humankind’s companion, they have experienced numerous historical events with them throughout time. Many have experienced the impact dogs have on the lives of humans. Dogs are the greatest animals because they provide humankind with a unique bond that could not be satisfied elsewhere. Dogs provide individuals with numerous health benefits, promoting an individual’s mental and physical health. Dogs contribute to the welfare of society by accomplishing numerous tasks and jobs. Dogs also provide their human counterparts with valuable life lessons and unconditional love. Dogs are the greatest animals because they play an integral part in people’s lives and in society.
Dogs can help children cross the street, lead the blind, alert the deaf, and they do so much more. Many of times, an adult might focus on the problem that doesn’t need requirements. An adult might focus on the problem that a child is socially disabled and by focusing on this problem, they may not even see how this child is trying to cross a busy street or might be trying to talk to someone that they shouldn’t. A service dog prevents the child from going out of sight and many of times can lead a child out of danger or avoid it in the first place.
The use of canines in law enforcement is a tool that has been utilized for years around the world. In the 1970's the use of dogs to a foothold in the United States( 2013, dogsforlawenforcement.org). Canines assist local and federal law enforcement agencies in many ways such as locating and apprehending violent criminals, tracking missing people, sniffing out drugs or bombs
Dogs are common throughout the world, either as a domestic pet, a protector on a farm, or an assistant for hunting amongst others. Regardless of the reason for having a dog, most people have either owned one for themselves or have known somebody who has owned one at some point in their life. Despite the relative normality of having a dog in your life in one way or another, the reasons for dogs coming into existence are not common knowledge among most people. Throughout a great portion of mankind’s history, dogs have been an essential part of life. The truth is, dogs were actually created in part by man.
Most people are familiar with service dogs and have seen them in action. Animal-assisted therapy is similar service animals in that an animal-human healing partnership is being created. However, the difference is that therapy pets are typically used to treat a mental disability whereas people with physical disabilities use service dogs to help them in many ways. Therapy animals are used in a wide variety of places, such as, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, therapy sessions, mental healthcare facilities, and even in people’s homes. These amazing animals are used on a wide variety of different disorders, but they are utilized mostly by people suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For people with these mental health disorders, everything in live can be difficult and challenging, however with the help of animal-assisted therapy, their mood, motivation, and life can dramatically improve. Anyone who hears about these brave, loving animals soon falls in love with them. From a medical standpoint, there have been many successful studies and the support for animal-assisted therapy still continues to grow in doctors and therapists across the nation.
I wonder how and where service dogs first came about. I wonder who had the idea that a dog could be helpful and work for a person with a disability. Seeing Eye dogs seem the most common type service dog because they obviously help someone who can not see. I saw a list of things that service dogs are used for. That list made me wonder how exactly service dogs are used for people with autism.
Owners of service animals are subject to accusations of being a false owner at any time because of the fake owners that have been caught in the act, belittling their purpose. To be able to understand the difference between the real and fake can be shown by the law-given definitions of what a service animal and owner are as well as the protocols they are required to follow to be defined as a real service animal owner. These definitions by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defined service animals as, “a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task performed by the dog must be directly related to the person's disability” (Service Animals and the ADA).
Pit bulls historically have been used as hunting and working dogs, but few people think of one when they hear the words "service dog." Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherd Dogs tend to be the most popular breeds used to assist disabled persons. Pit bulls, however, are loyal, adaptable canines suited to almost any kind of work and can make wonderful service dogs. Unfortunately, a great deal of fear and misconception swirl around this breed, and owning a pit bull service dog evokes unique societal and legal issues.
Thesis Statement: While most owners are aware of the amount of joy and laughter dogs bring to them and their family, they are unaware that their dogs love them unconditionally and can help them have better lives
Police officers work with special units that make use of their dogs’ skills. Thornton says, “They work fire scenes; public transportation venues, such as subway stations, train stations, or airports; and large public events that may be the subject of bomb threats. They may also check vehicles or buildings for drugs or other contraband,” (Chapter 28). The Central Intelligence Agency; the U.S Postal Service; the Secret Service; the Drug Enforcement Administration and many more use dogs in their teams. Some of the most known areas the dogs are in are tracking, substance detection, police enforcement and cadaver. Other type of areas for dogs are arson or they are also known as accelerant-detection K9’s.These dogs are trained to sniff out traces of accelerants or other substances used to set fires. Their job is to investigate fire scenes and to determine a fire’s cause. More than 200 arson dog teams are at work in the United States and even in Canada. The handlers have to trust their dogs like any team does with a human partner. Once the dog alerts that something is there, the handler has to investigate further. The trainers need to establish a bond with the dog that will also become their family. At school’s for handlers and dogs to learn arson detections, they have simulated fire scenes, they learn how to locate and identify tiny drops of accelerants and the fuels used to start fires. Those schools also have challenges the handlers and their dogs face like wet grass, wet buildings, mud, ashes and burnt debris. Dogs aren’t the only ones who have to learn things. “Their handlers must also learn to identify hazards, such as dangerous debris or weakened areas that could endanger their dogs or themselves,” says ...
Service dogs are another form of Animal Assisted Therapy. For example, a person that is deaf can own a hearing dog. “In these circumstances, a hearing dog can offer ameliorative benefits aside from alerting the caregiver to the phone ringing. A dog, being a full-time companion, ends up being a conversational partner that responds behaviorally to the statements and moods of other people nearby” (Fine 67). The dog becomes more than just a pet, but acts as a family member that takes full-time care of you.
These dogs help owners overcome daily obstacles whether it be a branch up above, or an overly crowded public area. The significance of a Service Dog may differ from person to person, but the satisfaction and appreciation of having that security by their side everyday is undoubtedly equal. To some they are just a pet or a best friend, but to many others they are the sole purpose for living.
Hollingsworth, Shanna. "Psychiatric Service Dogs: Children with Autism." Psychiatric Service Dog Society. 2008. Web. 5 Nov. 2011. .
...dog assisted intervention is yet unknown. Other differential effects of human interaction with dogs and their clinical study situations have not yet expanded the reach of potential research. There is a need for better-designed experiment settings and reliability equation need to be documented for determination of the expanse of patient benefit (Johnson et. al., 2002).
Animal-assisted therapy is often confused with service dog; it is two completely different type of usage of animals, which usually are dogs. It is commonly misunderstood because animal-assisted therapy and service dog are working animals with individuals with disability although according to (Hart-Cohen, 2009) service dogs is when an individual with disability is in need of help in order to function in daily life such as answering the door, crossing the street and the list goes on. While animal-assisted therapy animals are trained to offer comfort companionship, and affection to those in need in different situations such as courtrooms, nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and other places (Hart-Cohen, 2009). The point of animal-assisted therapy is to be available in specific situations to offer comfort to individuals. In order to become an assisted animal, the animal must undergo training, to receive a certified to prove that the animal is qualified to be able to control his or her behavior and is able to work with an...
“A dog is a man’s best friend” goes much deeper than the phrase might initially imply. Recently many medical journals have begun to identify with the many and varied benefits of pet ownership. Men have always relied upon animals for work, transportation, and survival. As times have changed, man has begun to appreciate a different bond with animals. Gone are the days of animals running free outside around the homestead, for now animals are allowed inside and are considered by many to be an integral part of our daily lives! Medical studies have found that animals have a much greater intelligence level than originally thought. Through proper training and experience, animals are not only household pets, but also are becoming an accepted form of medical treatment.