All pets are valuable as companions and best friends. Many people, especially those who spend much time alone at home, rely upon their dogs to alert them to strangers. These animals are all treasured members of the family, deserving of the best care possible at home and at Pet Care Clinics.
Some dogs (and occasionally other animals) are needed for more than protection or friendship. They are critical to the health and well-being of their human partners. Guide Dogs are the most well-known type of Service Dog, but these intelligent canines’ talents extend far beyond that skill. While many Service Dogs belong to working dog breeds such as German Shepherds, there is no size or breed requirement for a Service Dog.
A dog’s sense of smell is up to 1,000 times stronger than a human’s. Police or military dogs are famous for their ability to sniff out drugs or explosives. However, that super-sensitive nose is also able to sniff out the signs of disease or an oncoming medical crisis. Right now, researchers are experimenting with the use of dogs in sniffing out cancer at Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine. It is hoped that this research will lead to refined techniques for cancer detection.
Presently, dogs are trained to alert their handler to life-threatening allergens, diabetic alerts of low or high blood sugar, seizure response and other specific medical problems a person may have. Service Dogs also assist the autistic, act as a brace or support for those needing extra help, assist those in wheelchairs and work as Psychiatric Service Dogs for those with many issues, including PTSD. Of course, Service Dogs also guide the blind and hear for the deaf. While a Service Dog is often visibly identified as such with a vest, etc., this is not required.
Those who rely so heavily upon their Service Dogs often request that others politely ignore their dogs as the dogs are working and should not be distracted. The dogs, essential partners to those whose lives rely upon them, are well-loved and cared for at Pet Care Clinics. While all dogs are not Service Dogs, all dogs deserve our love and care. Companion Animal Care Center offers high quality hospital and extended care services, grooming and animal supplies to their Phoenix, MD patients.
