Service Dogs

Since we are dealing with the anniversary of 9/11, I thought it would be a good time to recognize and appreciate service dogs. There are so many out there, from police dogs to guide dogs – and they are a very special group. They selflessly give of themselves and love their jobs – and there’s so many of them. There are dogs that detect diseases, recognize seizures before they occur, who assist disabled people by opening doors, cupboards, etc., and the search dogs, like those who worked after 9/11 to find remains. Those dogs and their handlers have one of the toughest jobs – not only trying to find remains, but dealing with the emotional difficulty of their jobs. Sometimes, those dogs and their handlers put themselves in danger – or at least risk of being injured – to help others. They have my utmost appreciation and respect.

I have had the pleasure of working with several guide dogs, and not only are they amazingly talented, they are so sweet! Of course, Labradors dominate the guide dog group, but Shepherds and Malinois’ (and even Papillions) work as service dogs. You will never find a more willing or loyal worker than a service dog.

I know that in this day and age, there’s not a lot of disposable income for many people. But, if you do have money to donate, please try to remember the many different guide dog organizations out there. It takes a tremendous amount of time and training to prepare these dogs for their valuable service, and they pay dividends many times over.

These dogs have my utmost love and respect. If you have anything you’d like addressed, please feel free to email me at thedapperdog@hotmail.com. Thanks for checking out my blog!