Considering a Therapy or Service Assistance Dog for Your Special Needs Child? Pros and Cons

First of all, let's differentiate between 'assistance or service dog', 'companion dog' and 'therapy dog'.  Terms are not always used consistently but, for our purposes here, these are the definitions:

Assistance or Service Dog

An Assistance or Service Dog is trained to perform specific physical activities to help someone with a disability, such as opening doors, turning on lights, retrieving dropped items, carrying things, and alerting to sounds.  These dogs are normally trained and certified by assistance dog organizations and have full public access rights under the ADA law.
Therapy Dog

A Therapy Dog is trained in basic obedience that provides companionship but does no particular tasking.  These dogs are often graduates of assistance dog organizations and especially suited for this work because of temperament.  They normally do not have public access rights and work mostly in the home.  However, they are often invited to accompany the child into public places.

Companion Dog

A Companion Dog is a family pet with no particular training or certification.  They do not have public access rights.

All three of these sorts of dogs will, if partnered correctly with children, provide the main service of all: love, affection, acceptance, and companionship to children too often disenfranchised and lonely.  In reality, in many cases, obtaining a four-legged furry 'best pal' will act as a social magnet, attracting other children, and therefore promoting positive relationships that might otherwise be tricky to attain.  Children with disabilities are 'different' and those 'differences' are sometimes seen by peers as 'negatives'... something to be afraid of or uncertain about.  However, a child with a canine partner, while also seen as 'different' is seen as 'different' in a good and appealing way.  So not only does the child have the comfort, security, and benefits of a loyal best friend in their dog, but they frequently acquire more human friends due to the dog.

While adding a furry friend to the family can mean added expenses at the end of the month, it may also be a potential benefit from a tax perspective as well.  Of course, completely free taxes would be wonderful: but as most of us know, taxes are a fact of life. That means that the intial purchase of the dog, any costs to train, and expenses related to the maintenance of said animal are completely tax deductible as long as the creature is employed to assist somebody who's physically disabled.

For children with specific physical disabilities, an assistance dog can provide specified help beyond the companionship.  A child who must rely on others for everything (retrieval of a dropped toy, opening a door while negotiating a wheelchair or crutches) cannot develop independence in a natural progression.  At these times, self-esteem suffers and often there is an accompanying fear of being alone that inhibits natural curiosity and exploration.  A child who's afraid of falling is less likely to feel comfortable alone in a room, out in the yard, or even going to the bathroom by themselves, but partnership with a dog tends to lessen fear.  Moreover, an assistance dog can 'alert' if there's a problem (barking for help or actually going to get a parent or other adult).  In addition, these dogs are able to provide actual physical assistance to a fallen child (the dog stands close and braces while the kid pulls him/herself up by grasping the dog).

Assistance dogs and therapy dogs can provide great help during various medical procedures also, especially when physical or speech therapy is necessary.  Imagine how much more motivated a child would be to walk across a room, in spite of pain, if their very best friend is waiting with wagging tail and smiling face.  Even in hospitals, assistance/service and therapy dogs can provide great comfort and distraction from unpleasant medical procedures, and are allowed into facilities in many instances.  For speech therapy, reading to a dog has been demonstrated over and over to offer great benefit.  A child sitting beside a dog, petting the fur, while reading aloud literally lowers blood pressure and other stress factors.  When this happens the reading experience is much more pleasant for the child, which means more time is spent practicing leading to improved performance.

If you are looking for assistance dogs in Australia, check out VuCare Assistance Dogs. VuCare operates as a not for profit organization that provides support with medical aids and has a goal to train Assistance Dogs and Companion Dogs to improve the quality of life and increases the level of independence for people with disabilities. VuCare Assistance Dogs and Companion Dogs offer their new owners greater independence increased mobility, enhanced confidence, and higher self-esteem.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

VuCare Therapy and Companion Dogs

 

The dogs themselves vary both in size and breed from little Fox Terrier to large St. Bernards! From pedigree dogs to cross breeds from rescue centres. They also donated by a group of caring breeders, VuCare members and loving members of the public.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au/

Dog Treatment for Diabetes Patients

Hypoglycemia unawareness is a common — and serious — sickness that can grow in individuals that have type 1 diabetes. This state means you don’t experience the symptoms most folks do when their blood sugar gets too low. Standard symptoms of low blood sugar include sweating, shaking, or confusion. At very low numbers, you may experience seizures, or go into a coma if your blood sugar is too low for too long. One of the choices for this state is man’s best friend: a diabetes service dog.

Dogs have a naturally heightened sense of smell that makes them excellent hunters. Professional trainers have learned to use these skills by training dogs to recognize unique odors. These could include the fruity smelling ketones a man’s body creates when they may be experiencing a hyperglycemic episode when blood sugar is too high, or the extraordinary scent someone gives off during a hypoglycemic episode when blood sugar is too low.

A diabetes service dog isn’t a replacement for evaluating glucose levels. However, it is a safeguard for those who experience episodes low or high blood sugar, especially if they do not have warning symptoms.

Who trains service dogs?

There are several service dog training strategies across the country. As an example is VuCare Assistance Dogs in Australia.

It's an organization to train a dog to comprehend the difference between unique odors. This includes the scent someone releases when their blood sugar is high or low.

In accordance with VuCare Assistance Dogs, there are two levels of service dogs for patients with diabetes. Medical alarm dogs for diabetes are trained to respond to signs an owner may be experiencing low glucose levels, once they have become symptomatic. A diabetic watchful dog, on the other hand, is trained to comprehend changes in a guy’s blood chemistry, which often allows the dog to alarm the person or the health professionals to take activities in the critical window of time 15 to 30 minutes before symptoms occur.

Dog breeds trained to perform diabetic alarm dog responsibilities can include:

• Golden retrievers
• Labrador retrievers
• Poodles

If someone has a dog they would like to train to become a diabetes watchful dog, they may be able to submit it for testing to determine if the dog has the character and scenting ability needed. Most service dogs are between 1 and 2 years old when they could be place with their owners.

Dogs are trained to react in distinct manner to an owner who is having a high or low blood sugar episode. Examples include:

• holding a particular toy inside their mouth as a signal
• jumping on the owner
• sitting and staring at the owner
• touching the owner with its nose

Dogs may also perform other jobs in addition to alerting their owners about changes in blood sugar. These may consist of:

• Alarming other family members if an owner needs help
• bringing needed things, including drugs
• Regaining a cell phone for help
• Occasionally, dialing a high-speed respond hotline using a special device, if help is wanted

What should you consider before getting a service dog?

Not all individuals with diabetes may obtain from, or need, a diabetes service dog. Examples of individuals that could reap the advantages of service dogs include:

• those with hypoglycemia unawareness
• those who control their blood sugar using an insulin pump or injections
• those who experience low blood sugar levels regularly
• Children who need regular blood sugar testing at night
• college students who are now living away from home and want added support
• If you or a loved one do not experience frequent episodes of hypoglycemia or you’re capable of controlling your blood sugar with oral drugs, you may not need the additional expense and obligation of a service dog.

In regards to expenses, insurance companies may cover the costs related to a diabetes service dog. However, their owners in many instances must take health insurance for the dog, in addition, to provide for food and other veterinary expenses associated with caring for the dog. Having a diabetes service dog is an investment in time and funds, and is a relationship which will ideally live at least a decade for the dog and owner.

About VuCare Assistance Dogs

VuCare runs as a not for profit organization that provides support with medical aids and has a target to train Assistance Dogs and Company Dogs to enhance the quality of life and raise the degree of freedom for people who have handicaps. VuCare Assistance Dogs and Company Dogs offer their new owners greater autonomy increased freedom, enhanced trust and higher self esteem.

To find out more call us on 1300 830 166 or e-mail us at info@vucare.com.au. See VuCare Assistance Dogs web site at http://vucare.com.au.

Assistance Dog Is a Life Changing Experience

 

What we Believe: About our Clients we believe that...

- Increasing the independence of people with disabilities is beneficial to both the individual and the community.
- Obtaining an assistance dog is a life changing experience for people with disabilities, providing for both their physical and emotional needs.
- Clients deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
- Placement of successor dogs with past clients should have priority over new dog placements.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

VuCare Training Programmes Locations

VuCare Assistance Dog training is managed from our Melbourne Head Office and is situated in Docklands VIC. Our training programmes are undertaken in VIC, NSW and QLD in safe closed environments away from the general public until they are reading to start their Public Access Training or In Home Training.
For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.
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VuCare improving the lives of our clients and the dogs who care for them

VuCare is committed to providing the highest level of training for our dogs in order to improve the lives of our clients and the dogs who care for them.

We aim to introduce new and innovative training programmes to meet the growing demand for assistance dogs. We also will strive to understand the needs of our clients and train the dogs in order to meet those needs.

For more information call us on 1300 830 166 or email us at info@vucare.com.au. Visit VuCare Assistance Dogs website at http://vucare.com.au.

The Ways To React if You See a Service Dog

While many service dogs are adorable and maybe you're intrigued by their working vest and the tacit wisdom that goes along with that, you can find rules that everyone should follow for the advantage of both dog and owner.

• Typically do not give a command to the dog, that's consistently to be done by the owner free of one else.
• Try to not walk alongside the dog’s left side this can be a diverting manner.
• Make an attempt to not walk in sync put together on the owner’s right side it is much better to stay several paces behind.
• If you are feeling the owner may need some help, always request first and then offer your left arm to them.
• Never give a bite or treat to some service dog.
• Simply touch or pat the dog if the owner has given permission to do so.
• And if that's the scenario it is better to give a gentle pat on the head.

In 1916, a doctor who was in charge of a training for the war wounded in Germany was walking a blind man on the property of the hospital when he was briefly called away. He left his German Shepherd accountable for the patient and on his return, he was so impressed with the way that his dog had behaved that he vowed to begin training dogs to be guides for the blind and that is how it all began!

An important requisite of service dog guidance is the existence of these creatures is being increasingly understood as treatment and canines are finding their means, as residents, into an increasing assortment of psychiatric and geriatric hospitals and hospices.

While dogs can be instructed to pull carts which might be loaded with things that one purchases, or in some states even bring milk from a churn, perhaps the most important occupation of all is as a business to the sole and the aged those people who had have no one to relate to were it not for their devoted and adoring friend, the dog.

How Hearing Dogs are Trained

The training of the exceptional sort of service dog usually takes anywhere from 4 to 7 months. During this time the dog’s nature will be evaluated, they are going to move through intensive conformity, socializing and sound training. While many pets are given treats to support learning, hearing dogs are instructed to work for either toys or merely fondness.

Hearing dogs are trained to respond to common sounds that occur in the house or outside atmosphere. This includes fire alarms, smoke alarms, the ring of a telephone, the sound of an incoming text on a cell phone, oven timers, doorbells, knocks on the door, alarm clocks and when it is wanted, other sounds including the cry of a baby who has awakened from a rest.

Once a hearing dog is place with their new owner, they are going to most ordinarily become aware of added sounds that apply especially to their new environment. This may comprise the beep of a microwave, the alarm sound the washer’s load is done, etc.

The limits of a hearing dog are if a sound merely is heard quite at random and extremely inconsistently… for example, they may not react to the buzzing sound of the emergency broadcast system alarm on the telly, since it does not happen often.

Usually, a trainer will bring a special dog to a brand-new owner so that one may provide some one on one training to help the dog get settled and to go over any questions that could seem. Most times, this can last from 3 to 6 days and reputable companies may have the standing offer of supplying lifelong follow up.

Work should be interrupted by a dog as play. When a sniffer dog was trained, his advantage will be to recuperate. When a young dog recuperates a package of banned drugs, he will be allowed to have a game with the bundle, but that will function as only game he could be allowed when he is working. A dog’s instincts are directed into recuperating a unique scent The dog gets every individual odor and breaks it down in its head until it finds the one that it understands that their master desires… The dog builds up an “odor picture”. Every picture was given to him or her includes the unique narcotic or explosive the dog is still trained to find as a common denominator.

To learn more phone us on 1300 830 166 or e-mail us at info@vucare.com.au. See VuCare Assistance Dogs site at http://vucare.com.au.