May I Help You?

I saw my first service dogs when I first came to America. What a wonderful way for people and dogs to connect with each other! But what makes a good service dog?

Good service dogs are generally medium-energy with good temperaments and are tolerant, curious, focused, and have good social skills. A dog with a high tolerance will not be fazed by sudden changes in its environment, new situations, or experiences. He or she will show an interest without viewing the object as prey, using the nose to make identifications, and move on. A service dog should also be a highly social without any territorial or dominant tendencies.

Dogs of any age can be helpful to people, but it’s best if service dogs do not begin specific training until they are nine months old to allow them to grow into a balanced adult.

There’s Always Hope

Gandhi once said, “”The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” I believe that supporting your local shelter or rescue group is as important as any other community service people can provide. Living in a community that cares for animals also teaches our children the importance of compassion and empathy. Everyone benefits from the time, money, and energy spent when we give back to animals in need.