HOW OUR DOGS HELP

Our assistance dogs are specially trained to assist physically disabled children and adults to carry out a range of practical tasks in order to achieve greater independence.

Every dog is trained to help with simple everyday tasks such as opening/closing doors, picking up dropped items, emptying the washing machine, sending for help or even helping a child with severe walking difficulties to walk with greater ease and balance.

Each dog is trained to cater for the needs of the specific client to enable them to live life with greater independence.

WHAT DOES AN ASSISTANCE DOG DO?

Disability can lead to isolation, loss of confidence and feelings of low self-esteem. Not only that but for many people living with a disability being unable to do even a simple task like picking up the post can leave them feeling depressed and dependent. Dogs for the Disabled trains dogs to assist with practical, everyday tasks to help a person with a disability to live life to the full, breaking down barriers to the outside world and helping to improve confidence and stress levels.

These are just some of the range of tasks that an assistance dog trained by the charity will be able to help with:

  • Open and close doors
  • Help a person dress and undress
  • Bark to raise the alarm in an emergency
  • Retrieve items such as a telephones or dropped articles like keys or a bag
  • Empty the washing machine
  • Fetch the post
  • Switch the lights on and off
  • Press a pedestrian crossing button
  • Help people to walk by providing a stable base and forward motion