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Becoming a Therapy, Service, Assistance, or Medical Dog takes a very special combination of health, skill and behavioral soundness. Our standards are extremely high, and not all dogs are cut out for it. Some of our dogs who don't meet all the required qualifications still can go on to have careers as breeder dogs, work in search and rescue, agility, or special community canines that assist people in various ways.
There are numerous ways that dogs can provide service.
Just to name a few:
Reading Therapy
Companion for Autistic or physically handicapped
Sign Language Aid
Visiting Hospitals or rest homes
Seeing Eye
Hearing Ear
Cancer Detection
Seizure Prediction
Insulin Alert
Emotional Support
Mobility Assistance
Turn on lights
Open doors
Retrieve dropped items
Stand for someone to pull himself or herself up from a fall
Wear a special mobility vest for those that have balance issues
Pull wheelchairs
Retrieve lifesaving medications
and even call for help
While we place as many qualified dogs/puppies in service or therapy careers as we can more are disqualified than are eligible so we will almost always have pet quality dogs/puppies available for adoption.
These dogs are by no means dysfunctional or unhealthy.
Some of the things that might disqualify a dog/puppy include:
To much interest/distraction in other dogs or cats
Startling at new or loud noises
Shyness
Resistance to leash training
Refusing to "give" the toy back
Food/toy aggression
Aggression toward people or extremely fearful of people
Excessive energy
Over sensitivity to traffic
Overly sensitive to pressure in guide work
Car sickness
Immature and/or irresponsible decision making
Scars that are large enough or severe enough to draw attention or cause comments from the general public
None of these "faults" affect the ability to be loving pets when placed in homes that match there temperament and energy levels.
Feel free to check out our adoptable dogs/puppies here
How can I get involved with Therapy and Service dogs?
There are many MANY resources for getting involved. There are also several levels of involvement, from fostering puppies, and training, to receiving a service companion.
Here are some links for Services we have worked with, donated puppies too, or would reccomend:
Wilderwood Autism and Service Dogs
