For quite some time, seeing-eye dogs for the blind were mostly the only kind of assistance dog around. Over the last thirty years, the field has broadened remarkably . 

 Today , dogs benefit not only the blind, but also the hearing impaired, wheelchair restrained and even the bedridden . Many dogs even bestow a new approved kind of treatment for the clinically depressed, children that are underprivileged and even prisoners in correctional facilities.   These canines are given their own sofa dog bed and allowed to abide with inmates in cells.  These therapy dogs have shown to be very productive in how they connect with people on the path to any recovery. 

From the start, there is a careful process of breed selection.  Many breeds tend to be more useful than others.  Through painstaking selection the roles of certain breeds can be detected .  Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and a few others are recommended both for disposition and intellect .  

Even within some individual breeds of canines some are more well-disposed to training than others. These breeds of dogs display not only the aptitude needed to fulfill a basic task on command, but a self-confidence and desire that’s needed to performing the task naturally .  With such intellect and desire to please to the utmost of these dogs ability, trainers have realized that rewarding their temporary friends with orthopedic dog beds provide maximum support and comfort after a long days work. This is required when teaching canines for extended periods of time mimicking a normal work day for the blind person or handler. A mattress variety dog bed is often better for senior dogs or canines with health issues. Usually orthopedic dog bedding is the best choice if your well trained canine heads to his rest immediately after a strenuous jaunt or play time.

After a year of in-house instruction and much needed socializing with a person who also receives unique   training , the dog graduates to the next tier. Then, based on the anticipated job they are to do , they receive an additional two months to two years of concentrated , specialized instruction with well trained professionals.

Canines in these training programs understand everything from the most basic bark to alert the deaf to a door rap, to even gathering containers of food or drink on command .  These well instructed pups can even open doors for those in need, and of course provide vision based information to the sightless. 

A guiding-eyes guide dog can steer their blind companion around and through obstacles on the street. The hearing-guide dog can alert and manuever their friend away from an oncoming emergency vehicle or fire truck. The wheelchair assistant can guide the resident off the floor when required or even into bed at night.

These unparalleled canines are instructed to stay focused in small or large crowds and even deal with varying weather and environments. Many go to populated areas where they’re instructed to identify a curb as a boundary. Others find homes in non-populated areas where they are taught that turning on a garden hose is more important than chasing a squirrel or occasional bird from the property.  

Besides the common sit, stay, or come, these working dogs can even turn on or off lamps , change the volume on the stereo , and bring bags containing prescriptions .  Many canines have even mastered how to deliver a cup of water without spilling to a paraplegic. Incredibly, some are even trained to recognize and react to heart attacks and strokes and call 911! 

With this capacity to be taught and retain many requests it takes months of dedicated concentration by both trainer and canine . These trainers instructors and dogs portray patience beyond what most individuals   possess required to instruct even the most willing students. 

All canines retain information by definite cues and repetition. Although they can learn to recognize sounds and grasp basic meanings, they dont possess even the three-year old humans comprehension of language. Instructing these canines to associate the sound of water with fetch me a cup is much more laborious than for even the average toddler. 

Yet these awesome animals, with the counseling of their talented and dedicated trainers, learn to carry out a wide variety of behavioral tendencies well beyond their peers. If you ever see one accompanying its instructor   or partner, respect the sign they hold that says Working dog, please don’t distract. 

Just give a sincere bow of admiration to these hard-working dogs and the dedicated unique people who train them.