What Assistance Dogs do to Help

 

The dogs help their ‘person’ with many household tasks in addition to picking up dropped items. When they are out they can help by fetching requested items from shelves, giving credit cards
and /or wallets to check out staff, holding doors open, acting as a brace if a person falls sideways
in a chair, putting items in rubbish bins and pushing pedestrian crossing buttons. The taller dogs retrieve the cash and credit card from teller machines.

As well as physically helping their people, the dogs provide a social opening. Members of the public feel more relaxed to approach and start conversations, usually about the dog, and what might have previously been a lonely shopping or work experience can become a way of meeting people.

The majority of applicants for an Assistant Dog are physically unable to drive a car and consequently ASDOG Assistance Dogs are trained to travel calmly and quietly in taxi's and on public transport, enabling people to participate in all activities.

© 2005 ASDOG Assistance Dogs Pty Ltd