Service dog
A service dog or assistance dog is a dog that is specially trained to help disabled people with everyday tasks. The terms service dog and assistance dog are generally used interchangeably. Those who make a distinction are more apt to use the term service dog when the service rendered by the animal requires physical strength.
Most service dogs assist the blind and the deaf, although they are also used to assist people with physical or mental disabilities. They are trained and bred by private organizations. A service dog can be identified by the scarf, jacket, or harness it wears.
Service dogs normally start training when they are six months old. They are trained how to pick up objects, open and close doors, and operate light switches. The dogs also receive additional training based on their intended use (such as guide dog for the blind, signal dog for the deaf, and so on). During their training, the dogs usually spend up to a year with a host family to become acquainted with working around people. Service dogs continue their training after they are formally placed with a person, usually on a yearly basis.
The process of obtaining a service dog varies by each organization. Normally, an application must be submitted, and a wait list is usually involved. The costs for a service dog also vary.
Service dogs and their handlers enjoy special protection under the U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act, which gives them equal access to public facilities, such as restaurants, parks, taxis, and airplanes.
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