Service Animals

You may not think of an animal as an assistive device or tool, but it’s easy to see that dogs, and even less conventional animals such as monkeys, can make a real difference in peoples’ lives.

Service animals increase their owner’s independence and enhance their quality of life. A dog can help to turn on a light switch, pull a wheelchair, pick up dropped keys or open a cupboard door.

Dogs are great companions in general, and from what people who own service animals report, they are great ice-breakers when meeting the public.  Most service dogs are golden retrievers or Labrador retrievers, although some dogs without  pedigree are rescued from shelters and trained to be service dogs.

Monkeys are also used as service animals, in particular for quadriplegics, acting as their set of arms and hands.  As with dogs, special training and preparation is required for both the animal and the recipient of service. There are numerous organizations across the United States and abroad that train service animals.  Training is also available for people wishing to use their own dogs.