2006 marks 31 years that Assistance Dogs have been placed with disabled people. Although seeing-eye dogs have been around longer and are more commonly known; others such as seizure and hearing dogs are becoming widely popular nowadays too.
Peaches (left) is a hard working Therapy Dog while Joy her sister is trying hard to follow his footsteps
Their range of services include helping people who depend on wheelchairs, alerting owners of doorbells, smoke detector alarms, phones, carrying medications around, and even dialing 911.Some dogs are even trained to push shopping carts, open and close drawers, pull off clothing items, open refrigerator doors or pick up dropped items. Another type of dog gaining popularity among the elderly in nursing homes and seriously ill children in hospitals worldwide are "Therapy Dogs". These animals have proven to be stress-relievers by providing unconditional love and companionship.
Medical studies show that these brief meetings between the patients lower heart rates, skin temperature, and blood pressure. It is also believed that pet-owners live longer than non-owners. 
Any dog owner can volunteer their dog and time to these programs nationwide. Both must go through training and pass an obedience and docile nature test. 
The Delta Society estimates that there are at least 2000 therapy dogs nationwide assisting over 350,000 people a year. The Society itself is a national organization that oversees therapy and provides certification protocols.

(Peaches and Joy left) Bonnie Bergin is the originator of the service-dog idea. She became determined to help disabled people while teaching and traveling 25 years ago in Nepal, Iran, and Turkey. She observed the handicapped being self-sufficient by using donkeys and burros to carry their wares to be sold. She didn't let the overabundance of negative reactions deter her plans. She began her training session with a golden retriever puppy named Abdul for her first client,19 year-old Kerry Knaus. Kerry suffered from a neuromuscular disorder that hampered the total use of her legs and partial movement of her arms. She didn't have the strength to get back up if she accidentally fell forward in her wheelchair or the ability to physically take care of and train a dog. Therefore Bergin focused on training with verbal cues using facial expressions and tone of voice. In the end, Abdul and Kerry formed an emotional, trusting bond based on mutual understanding. Abdul learned to turn on lights, retrieve food, help with wheelchair falls and press levers on the chair lift on the van.
Bonnie Bergin now has a doctorate in education and is the founder of the Assistance Dog Institute.There are now more than 150 similar programs and an estimated 3500 service dogs in place worldwide. Trained assistance dogs are worth almost 10,000 dollars. Waiting lists for the dogs can be at least five years long because of the extensive training, bonding, and breeding needed. Research is important when choosing a service, hearing, or therapy dog. The programs vary widely in cost, operations, and relationships after the dog has been placed. Some clients need ongoing assistance. Therefore applicants should weigh the benefits of a national or local company.

Groups offering assistance dogs are: 

* Assistance Dog Institute,
P.O. Box 2334, Rohnert Park, Calif. 94927
Tel: 707-585-0300
Web address: www.assistancedog.org
e-mail: Assistdog@aol.com

* Canines Companions for Independence,
5408 Dickens Road, Richmond,Va. 23230
(804)288-3647 

* Dog Ears & Paws Inc.,
P.O.Box 688,Owings Mills, Md.21117
(410)655-2858
e-mail: Debbie@YOURCOMPANIONS.COM 

* Fidos for Freedom Inc.
P.O.Box 5508, Laurel, Md.20726 
(410)880-4178   TTY.(301)570-7570
Web address: www.fidosforfreedom.org
e-mail: fidos@erols.com 

*Blue Ridge Assistance Dogs Inc.,
11215 Dumfries Road, Manassas Va. 20112
(703)369-5878
e-mail: mailto:BLRDGHOPE@aol.com
 

This report is provided as a guide to those who might be in need of the services of these wonder dogs.
Report By:
Lauren Averitt (R.I.P)
webmaster@pethall.com