Thursday 5 August 2021

International Assistance Dog Week


I found out something new at the beginning of this week - there is a week for celebrating Assistance Dogs and it just happens to be this week from the 1st to the 7th of August.

International Assistance Dog Week was created to celebrate and recognise all that Assistance Dogs do for their human charges, as well as to raise awareness of just how much these specially trained dogs change lives. The celebration takes place every year and begins on the first Sunday in August.

The main goals of International Assistance Dogs Week are to recognise and honour assistance Dogs, raise awareness and educate the public about the role of an assistance dog, and honour those who raise and train these amazing dogs.

Assistance Dogs really do transform the lives of the individuals that they assist and we have seen that first hand over the last almost three months.

There are many hours of training put into each and every assistance dog. Traditionally, guide dogs are the predominate type of service dog that people are familiar with. We are asked on a daily basis if Henry is a guide dog!

But over time, trainers have realised that dogs can do much more for us humans. Service dogs now range from Guide Dogs for the sight impaired, to Autism Assistance Dogs, Seizure Alert Dogs, Mobility Assistance, Diabetes Dogs and PTSD Dogs. The range of skills that each dog can do, varies upon what type of assistance their handler requires. 

We are extremely fortunate to have Henry to assist L. Henry has been life changing for L and for our family. Henry is a truly remarkable working dog. He has made so many positive impacts in the last three months, and we cannot wait to see the impact that Henry will have in the future.

To everyone, from the Smart Pups trainers and admin staff, through to the foster carers, thank you so very much that you all did in training Henry. We are extremely grateful.

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