Happiness is Pets - Special Skills Dogs...and more

Special Skills Dogs

These special Dogs include:

• Dogs for the blind
  
  
• Hearing dogs for the deaf

  In Canada for example,small or medium sized dogs are trained as Hearing Ear Dogs to:

  1. Make physical contact with handler on hearing specific or unusual noises.
  2. Lead the handler to source of noise.
  3. Respond to telephone ring, door bell ring or knock, voice calls, baby crying, kettle boiling, and other household sounds.
  4. Can respond to hand signals and limited signing.
  
  
• Special Skills Dogs - for people with physical/mobility difficulties
  
  These dogs are typically Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever or Standard Poodle, and work with owners who are physically or medically disabled who have mobility concerns. As a minimum they are trained to:
  1. Operate light switches
  2. Open and close door
  3. Open fridge door, dryer door, drawers
  4. Retrieve items from the floor
  5. Assist with transfers from chair to bed
  6. Assist with roll over in bed
  7. Go for, or bark for help and/or activate an alert system.

• Seizure Response Dogs
  They can assist owners with seizure management by getting help by barking, or activating an alert system. Some have been known to anticipate their owner's impending seizure and lead their owner to take appropriate action such as resting.

  Happiness is Pets - Dogs and Autism.

  People with autism experience difficulties with sensory information, social skills and behaviour. Dogs can be trained to support them with their social isolation and differences.

  1. A dog's natural ability to learn routines, can help a person with autism to master a sequence of steps in a routine.
  2. It can can also help them to become more flexible with unforeseen changes due to its own adaptability.
  3. The positive attention that a dog attracts may enable the person with autism to interact more easily with others.
  4. The dog will help to orientate its owner to their environment and it may alert them to any problems.

  Happiness is Pets - Horses

  Horse-riding is well established in the benefits it offers, in particular to those people with cerebral palsy, down syndrome, physical difficulties, mental and emotional, and learning difficulties.The rider gains:

  • benefit from the movement and gait of the horse
  • improved balance, co-ordination and postureincreased strength and flexibility
  • improved confidence and self-esteem

  In addition the teamwork with the horse is beneficial. It takes a lot of work to offer this incredibly valuable resource.

  To find out more - in U.S visit N.A.R.H.A and in the U.K. click here for Riding for the Disabled.
  
  

  

  
  Happiness is Pets - Kids with ADHD

  Kids with ADHD need schedules - it keeps them organised, on track, motivated, on task and keeps their stress levels manageable. Pets need schedules for bathing, walks, feeding, grooming - synergy in action.

  Teach responsibility and the need to plan ahead can be achieved by using a simple, consistent pet care routine.

  Some of that excess energy can be put to good use in playing with the pets, plus cleaning them out and exercising them, particularly dogs and horses.

  Then there's always that unconditional love and a listening ear. A child with ADHD may need an accepting 'best friend' at the end of a challenging day.

  Happiness is Pets - Pets as Metaphors

  Animal characteristics can be used to support emotional and intellectual development. For example, a parrot could invite a discussion on flight, freedom and feeling restricted/caged.

  A mischievous monkey or a playful cockatoo could be especially useful to a child with ADHD. Use it to point out ADHD behaviours such as impulsivity and attention difficulty in a non-threatening way.

  Click here to learn more about the power of metaphor for change.

  Alternatively read example metaphor stories here. and learn to write your own at How to write metaphor stories.

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