In the intervention area of assistance dogs, we perform the training and delivery of Service Dogs, Service Dogs for children with Autism and Support Dogs.
Support Dogs are an alternative choice to Assistance Dogs. Even though they are not allowed to get in public establishments, they possess a set of skills that will help to enhance the autonomy of the user in other places like home.
We also provide support services and counselling to families and individuals that want or need to work with their domestic dogs in order to achieve a therapeutic approach or training of specific skills that will upgrade the independence of a person.
What is an Assistance Dog?
An assistance dog is a well prepared animal that goes through professional training and has certain characteristics and abilities that allow an improvement in the autonomy, self-sufficiency and independence of people with sensorial, mental, organic or physical impairment.
Its distinctive nature is fuelled by the ability to provide emotional support and company to its partner, beyond the physical support that performs, in addition to its adaptability to different situations and levels of impairment.
Which types of Assistance Dogs exist? How to identify them?
Guide Dog, trained to aid a person with visual impairment;
Hearing Dog, trained to aid a person with hearing impairment;
Service Dog, trained to aid a person with motor disability;
Service Dog for Children with Autism, trained to aid children with autism and their relatives in road safety and behavioural support;
Medical Alert Dogs, trained to aid a person with diabetes.
The identification is done with a vest or harness that the dog wears. It may have different colours or the written information about the function that performs.
How to behave when in presence of an Assistance Dog?
The most important thing is to respect its job, avoiding any distraction: avoid touching it, calling it, exclaiming sound that may be appealing, throwing it objects or food.
You can contribute by creating awareness in your community, teaching those who don’t know about how to behave in this situation. Any doubt you may have you can always ask the user or the trainer.