Society has grown to think about assistance dogs as guides for blind people, but trust me, these heroes’ roles are so much more diverse and impactful in every way. Dogs are extraordinary animals; I mean, they can be best friends and are lifelines for people facing all sorts of challenges, such as mobility issues and sensory impairments to diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, autism, epilepsy, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Don’t think this support is not just a physical help, but also deeply emotional and personal.
My personal journey helped me explore beautiful and practical emotions about dogs. Dogs help managing stress, anxiety and reduce worries. I have encountered my dog helping, like a friend who provides a positive distraction from negative thoughts. He gave me a reason to wake up in the morning, and I believe everyone else feels the same.
An assistance dog is not just for supervision but loves you unconditionally. It also boosts your self-esteem, offering a sense of belonging and companionship that you may not see in humans. Just their presence can bring a sense of calm, reducing anxiety and promoting mental well-being. Dogs are literal life savers.
Today we’re going to meet nine very different canine super-heroes.
1 -Guide dogs
Most of us know at least a little about guide dogs. Also known as seeing eye dogs in the US, these dedicated puppers fall under the umbrella of assistance dogs. Trained from an early age to become essential assistants for those with sensory impairment. Chosen for their size, temperament and intelligence, the most common breeds are Golden Retriever, Labrador, German Sheppard, and Standard Poodle. We don’t know exactly when the practice of training guide dogs began, but there’s a few contenders for the first. One candidate is clear depiction of a dog leading a bling man on the wall of a Roman villa buried under the ashes near Pompeii circa 79CE. To learn more about guide dogs click here.
2 -Hearing dogs
Not all assistance dogs are trained to help the visually impaired. Some puppers are specially trained to assist those with poor or no hearing. These hearing dogs for the deaf alert their users with a nudge or a paw to sounds they might otherwise miss. Unlike guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs don’t need to lead their owners around. Therefore, smaller dogs are just as useful. The most common breeds are Cockapoo, Cocker spaniel. Miniature Poodles, and Labradors. That said, almost any dog can be a hearing dog, even feisty little floofs like Papillons and Miniature Schnauzers. To learn more about hearing dogs click here.
3- Autism assistance dogs
In recent years the term autism has lost much of its stigma. The more we learn about the spectrum, the more effective the therapies we develop become. One such development is the rise of autism assistance dogs. Like other assistance dogs, the pups are chosen for their temperament. Trained from a young age their goal is helping autistic people cope in their lives. Unlike other assistance dogs these pups also provide emotional support and can improve abstract issues like sleep patterns and even language skills. To find out more about autism assistance dogs click here.
4- Disability assistance dogs
Some of the hardest working mutts out there, these clever dogs help less able-bodied people live independent lives. These four-legged live savers can do almost anything their disabled owner needs. From taking off their socks to raising the alarm if anything goes wrong. These wonderful furry heroes selflessly enable those less fortunate to live rich fulfilling lives. You can learn more about disability assistance dogs here.
5- Seizure assistance dogs
Unlike some of the other assistance dogs, these furry detectives are taught to predict, identify, and/or react to specific medical events. Triggered by fits and seizures they provide aid and comfort to their prone handlers. Two types of these dogs exist. The first react to seizures and fits, while the second are thought to predict them before they happen. Either way, both will raise the alarm and stay with their handler to keep them calm. Almost any dog can perform either function, but there’s some debate as to the effectiveness of predictive dogs. You can read more about seizure assistance dogs here.
6- Medical assistance dogs
Like seizure assistance dogs, these pups are trained to predict or react to specific medical conditions. Using their heightened sense of smell they can identify the subtle shifts in our biochemistry brought on by attacks. Such conditions include diabetes, heart problems and even extreme allergic reactions. You can read more about medical assistance dogs here for allergen - here for diabetes - here for heart problems
7- Psychiatric assistance dogs
Not all assistance dogs are trained to help their handlers with physical tasks. Some instead are taught to support their mental health. Anyone who’s close to someone with a mental health problem knows they are no joke. People struggling with depression, bipolar, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other mental health issues can find the simplest of tasks daunting. Psychiatric assistance dogs are trained to help in many ways. They can interrupt negative behaviour, enhance calming through physical contact and remind their handlers to get outside. You can learn more about t Psychiatric assistance dogs here.
8- Emotional support dogs
Still considered assistance dogs, these little guys are one of two such animals that don’t require formal training. Indeed, these beasties are unique on this list because unlike almost all the others pretty much any critter can be registered as an emotional support animal. Their mission is simple, keep their owners or handlers happy. Anyone who has a dog basically has an emotional support dog as radiating joy is what our furry pals do best. Emotional support dogs though, take their role a little more seriously as the people they look after, need that support more than most. You can read more about emotional support dogs here.
9- Therapy dogs
The last of our furry list is far from the least. Like emotional support dogs, any floof can become a therapy dog, but that doesn’t mean they don’t work hard. Therapy dog is a title that applies to any pupper that spends some time making people feel better. Often these little guys will visit old folk’s homes, or hospital wards just to share their waggy tails and floopsy ears. Sometimes they might even be permanent residents in such establishments. As there’s no formal training or even any formal duties any dog can become a therapy dog all it needs is an owner with some spare time and a big heart. You can read more about therapy dogs here.
Expressing My Personal Experience
From my personal experience and extensive research, I have learned more about dogs and understood that they do so much more than we realise.
Not just the practical tasks, but the wonder is that they offer an emotional lifeline to people who struggle with any kind of mental health issues. What I have felt is that dogs have a great sense of understanding and responding to their owners. They know what action will bring comfort and reassurance to their owner.
The bond between the assistance dog and the owner is one of love, and it works like magic. Don’t think getting an assistance dog is only for help and support; they build a relationship based on trust and mutual respect, where the person starts feeling the dog is a family member and a protector. Their sense of understanding the owner’s mood and emotions is far better than that of a human.
What I see as a dog photographer?
I became a dog photographer because of my wonderful experience with my dog; hence, I have had the privilege of seeing the hero in every dog. I know that each one has a unique story of bravery, loyalty, love and more, I can see these qualities into their eyes. Through my lens, I capture the spirit of these silent heroes, so that I can showcase their silent strength and pure dedication towards humans. These heroes may not wear capes, but they represent the spirit of heroism in every way of their tail and every gentle nudge. Every picture I take tells a story of a dog who has made a major and significant difference in someone’s life, and I am honoured to share these stories with the world.
These dogs deserve recognition for the incredible roles they play in improving and even saving lives. Through my photography, I hope to honour them and inspire others to see the true value and heroism in every dog.
As I showed you above, Nine canine heroes that deserve more love than we give… Those heroes with fur.
Of course all dogs are potential live savers and if you have a story about your dog and the joy they bring you, I’d love to hear it. Maybe we could even organise a photoshoot and capture their spirit one day.
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