|
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. A person working
with a dog obviously has intelligence and some verbal ability. This encourages members of the public to approach them 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, if they
have limited funds, taxis are expensive as a routine method of getting to a destination. ASDOG Assistance Dogs are trained to travel calmly and quietly on public transport, enabling people
to participate in all activities.
|
|
|
