Our dogs can be our very best friends, but they also have the potential to function as service dogs for people who are in need of assistance. The role of a service dog in society can vary from helping someone who is disabled to assisting a retired armed forces veteran who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The basic needs that these dogs provide occur on a daily basis from morning until night. There are dedicated trainers who help prepare the right kind of dog for this type of work. Service dog training in Chicago focuses on a number of different aspects. This training can provide:
• Assistance for people with speech difficulties. There are a number of medical conditions that can impair a person’s ability to speak. A therapy dog can assist in a variety of ways. They can bring about confidence to a person, increase a person’s attention span, and help him or her improve coordination that will affect his or her ability to speak.
• Anxiety relief. There are many reasons why a person may suffer from anxiety. Attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder can all increase the anxiety a person is experiencing. Just the gentle touch from a dog can release calming endorphins in the brain.
• Dementia care. A person who has been diagnosed with dementia will face a number of challenges in the near future. As a way for him or her to live at home as long as possible, a service dog can assist with simple tasks such as helping a person walk safely from one spot in the home to another, retrieving an item, or recognizing an emergency.
There is always a need for individuals who would like to assist with service dog training in Chicago. By reaching out to local organizations, you can help people in the community live better lives through the use of service dogs.
