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Guide and Service Animals Research Brief Guide and Service Animals DECEMBER 2019 GUIDE DOGS Reduced feelings of isolation; increased Guide dogs were introduced in America in 1927 socialization by Morris Frank who founded The Seeing Eye, Increased emotional wellbeing the first guide dog school in the country. Inspired Increased self‐esteem by a story about a Swiss program that was (Lane, Matthews, Ellison, and Palmer, 2017) training German shepherd dogs to guide blind Some disadvantages to having a guide dog WWI veterans, Morris Frank, a blind 19‐year‐old, include: went to Switzerland to undertake the training Financial cost such as food and vet bills and thereby gain independence. Upon his return Time and responsibility required for care to America with his dog, Buddy, he Training and commitment required with new demonstrated, in numerous press and goodwill guide dogs tours, his ability to navigate about town with no Increasing dog attacks from other pets due help from anyone but his dog guide. The Seeing more pet‐friendly spaces, therapy dogs, Eye continues to play an integral role in shaping emotional support dogs, etc. public policy and accommodation for people who (Austin, 2016) use service animals (The Seeing Eye, n.d.b). Today there are many schools and organizations (both Guide dog training has three basic stages: for‐ and non‐ profit) that train guide dogs, only 1. Puppy raising. Dogs are given to volunteers one of which is located in Texas – Guide Dogs of to raise and socialize. During this time the Texas – which is in San Antonio (Guide Dog Users puppy is introduced to social settings that a Inc., 2019). visually impaired person would encounter in their daily life and taught basic obedience In 2018, approximately 7.6 million individuals in (Guide Dogs of Texas, 2019c) the United States reported having a visual 2. Formal training. The guide dog is trained to disability. In Texas, 705,106 individuals reported “guide his client in a straight line unless told a vision disability in the same year (U.S. Census otherwise, avoiding obstacles on the ground, Bureau, n.d.). The actual number of visually to both sides and above. He will stop at impaired individuals currently using guide dogs is curbs, stairs, and locate doorways to unknown but the estimated number is 10,000 or regularly visited destinations” (Guide Dogs of about 2% of the blind/visually impaired Texas, 2019b). population (Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 2019). 3. Working Team training. The matched dog/person team will attend a two to four Guide dogs are trained primarily as mobility aids weeks (usually on‐site at the training facility) for their handlers; however, focus groups of learning to work together in various guide dog users revealed additional benefits situations and “receive individualized including: training relevant to their home environment Reduced risk of depression and lifestyle. This can include anything from Increased exercise potential Page 1 of 5 Guide and Service Animals Research Brief December 2019 building work, leash guiding, navigating city Be trained to perform at least three specific streets, country roads, hiking trails, suburban tasks to mitigate the owner’s disability neighborhoods and anywhere else that best Additionally, ADI (2018) specifies that the client "approximates" their home environment” must demonstrate: (Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind [GDF], n.d.b). Knowledge of acceptable training techniques The cost for training a guide dog from birth to Knowledge of canine care and health going home with a partner averages about Ability to maintain and/or continue training with their service dog $50,000 (Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 2019). Some training facilities charge nominal fees to users: HEARING DOGS The Seeing Eye (n.d.a) requires $150 for the first Hearing dogs are trained to alert their deaf dog and $50 for each successive dog; others, like owners to certain sounds. When it hears a knock Guide Dogs of Texas (2019a) and the Guide Dog at the door, telephone ring, smoke alarm, or Foundation for the Blind (n.d.a.), provide all even a baby’s cry, the dog will lead the partner services and dogs free of charge. by touch to the sound. They are trained to Many guide dog training facilities breed their respond to both voice and sign language own animals. The most popular dog breeds commands (Service Dogs, Inc., n.d.). ADI specifies include: that a hearing dog must be trained to alert to a Labrador Retriever minimum of three sounds. Hearing dogs are Golden Retriever generally small to medium size mixed breed dogs adopted from local shelters (ADI, 2018). German Shepherd Lab/golden Mixes AUTISM DOGS Standard Poodles A fairly recent addition to the service dog genre, (Guide Dogs of America, 2019; GDF, n.d.a) autism service dogs: Increase Safety Levels: For those children SERVICE DOGS Service dogs are specially trained to assist who tend to run and lack fear of danger, the individuals with physical disabilities. Among the dogs can be trained to anchor the child many skills that can be trained are opening doors down, effectively stopping them from and refrigerators, fetching out of reach running any further. wheelchairs, retrieving dropped items, turning Improve Socialization: “Having the safety and lights on and off, getting help and moving security of a Certified Service Dog allows paralyzed limbs. They also perform customized families to get out of the house and tasks such as assistance with clothing and participate in new experiences on a more specialized equipment (Service Dogs, Inc., n.d.). regular basis.” Suppress Behavioral Outbursts: “Individuals Most service dogs are Golden Retrievers or with autism have a difficult time transitioning Labrador Retrievers as those breeds have a high to new environments and often experience retrieve instinct and a good disposition. Many sensory overload. Their Certified Service Dog organizations adopt retriever mixes from local remains a constant in their life and allows animal shelters to use in their training programs them to focus on their dog as opposed to (Assistance Dogs International [ADI], 2019). their environment which often assists with While there are no legal standards for training suppressing behavioral issues. The dog also service dogs, ADI (2018) recommends certain acts as a tactile distraction to redirect the minimum standards for all its member child to a more positive behavior.” (National Service Dogs, n.d.) organizations including (the service dog must): Respond to commands 90% of the time on Assistance Dogs for Autism (2019) cites increased the first ask at home and in public social interaction, redirecting repetitive behaviors, improved independence, increased Page 2 of 5 December 2019 Guide and Service Animals Research Brief vocabulary, improved quality of sleep, and Miniature horses have been trained as guide overall calming among the advantages of pairing animals since 1999. Horses have several a dog with an autistic child. Training of autism advantages over dogs for performing in this service dogs most often occurs in the child’s capacity, including: home and includes the child, parents, other • 350‐degree field of vision allows detection family members, educators and health care of obstacles even before sighted trainers professionals (All Purpose Canines, n.d.). • Excellent night vision – can see clearly in almost total darkness MEDICAL ALERT DOGS • There are three primary types of medical alert Long lifespan – can live up to 50 years dogs currently being trained: where dog’s working life is 8‐10 • Diabetes alert dogs are trained to physically Calm nature – horses traditionally trained alert their partners to an impending to remain calm in chaotic situations hypo/hyperglycemic event. The dogs can • Great Memory – does not require smell subtle changes is the body related to constant reinforcement training blood sugar levels and alert their partner up • Naturally safety conscious to one hour before changes will show up on a • Not easily distracted ‐‐ not addicted to personal glucose meter. While not replacing human attention and normally do not get personal blood sugar testing, the dogs can excited when petted or groomed (Guide Horse Foundation, n.d.) serve as an additional monitor and alert the partner (or in the case of a child, another Capuchin Monkeys have been trained as family member) to take action (Diabetic Alert assistance animals for quadriplegic Dogs of America, n.d.). individuals since 1979 in the Helping Hands Seizure alert dogs are dogs that can somehow program. The monkeys are trained to serve sense when an epileptic partner is going to as live‐in companions who are much more have a seizure. This ability is not present in all capable service companions than any other dogs nor is it something a dog can be trained animal due to their dexterity. Monkeys are to do. Once discovered, this natural ability is capable of helping in many tasks including: reinforced through training and the dog is • Turning pages taught to alert in a variety of manners • Scratching itches according to each dog’s inclination. Once • Retrieving dropped objects alerted, the partner can stop whatever they • Inserting straws into bottles are doing and take appropriate action (Canine • Turning on buttons/switches for remotes, Partners for Life, 2019). phones, computers, etc. Psychiatric service dogs can alert to many • Repositioning limbs on a wheelchair things, including (but not limited to): anxiety; (Helping Hands, n.d.a) catatonic behavior; flashbacks or distress; disorientation or confusion; and night Most basic tasks are learned within 18‐24 terrors/nightmares (Psychiatric Service Dog months and additional individual, at‐home Partners, 2019). training is provided after a monkey is matched with a person. The cost of training a monkey OTHER ASSISTANCE ANIMALS helper is approximately $40,000 from birth to Dogs are not the only animals recognized for placement but the monkeys are provided free of their ability to assist people in their daily lives.
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