Many people don’t realize how many different careers dogs can have, and how much training can go into each individual career. One of the most common dog jobs is to be an assistant dog. Often referred to as “guide dogs” and “service dogs,” these two terms actually involve different specialties that fall under the broader term “assistant dog.”
A guide dog leads the blind, and alerts their humans to curbs, oncoming cars, and the likes. They’re also known as seeing eye dogs. A hearing dog will alert their deaf companion when a doorbell is rung, when an oven timer beeps, when someone calls their name, when a baby cries, etc. A service dog helps a whole range of disabled persons, such as those who are confined to electric wheelchairs and can’t reach light switches, people with various forms of autism, or those who need seizure alert help.
Now that that’s all cleared up, can we see some of these adorably smart pups in action? YES!
1. “Ready to learn!”
2. “What are you looking at? Let’s get training!”
3. Aw, tired out already? You sure you’re cut out for this?
4. They’re testing her patience! Assistance dogs need to be VERY well-behaved.
5. Patiently awaiting her next command.
6. Pretty sure you’re supposed to keep your hand to yourself?
7. “Am I a guide dog yet?!”
8. I guess it’s alright if you nap through our trip to Bed Bath Beyond.
9. This pup helped his human graduate! He kills it in a cap and gown.
10. Being a guide dog in training has its perks, like meeting professional baseball players.
11. Gotta take a day off from training for the 4th of July, right? Wrong. Every day is a day to learn for an assistance dog in training!
12. Be one ounce cuter. I double dog dare you.
13. Circle time in puppy class!
14. “Yeahhh, that’s the spot. It’s been a long day, I’ll tell ya!”
15. Even assistance dogs need to snuggle with a teddy bear now and then.
16. Almost all grown up!
17. He’s so attentive.
18. Laying down on the job, are we?
19. One of these pups will help a disabled person get around, the other will sit on your lap and yap at strangers.
20. “Couldn’t you have shared your umbrella?”
21. “Oooooh a flower!” Better learn to focus a bit more, tiny pup-in-training.
22. Seasoned veterans catching a quick shut-eye in the shade.
23. “I got these for you!”
24. “Good work out there, big guy!”
25. “I want to grow up to be JUST like you!”
26. “We have the best job EVER! Don’t you think!?”
Assistance dogs are crucial fixtures in a disabled person’s life. They can be the difference between a life of dependency and a life of independence and freedom. Not to mention, that the bond that grows between a guide, hearing, or service dog and their person is unlike any other partnership.
Keep up the good work, little guys!
These Young Service Dogs Just Want To Help The Human Race And It Makes Me Melt
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