Guidance on caring for training, and ethically supporting service dog
Holidays can be a mixed bag of experiences. Many people celebrate holidays by inviting friends and family, going to parties or meals, and enjoying time off from work or school. Yet, holidays can also bring stress, travel, disrupted routines, louder environments, reminders of grief, and increased social demands. Service dog handlers often carry dual responsibilities: … Read more
June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness Month —an opportunity to highlight the impact of trauma and offer support to those affected. Trauma has become a key term in the mental health field, and for good reason: research continues to shed light on how traumatic experiences reshape the brain and influence behavior. This has … Read more
When we think about keeping our dogs healthy, we often focus on good nutrition, regular vet visits, and daily walks. But there’s another key piece that’s often overlooked: fitness. No matter your dog’s role—whether they are a working service dog or a beloved family companion—all dogs benefit from intentional, structured fitness training. A well-balanced routine … Read more
What is a Mobility Assistance Dog A mobility assistance dog, or mobility dog is a dog that is trained to perform tasks that will help their handler with symptoms related to balance, movement, stability, strength, and stamina. Wheelchair pulling, button pushing, flipping light switches, counterbalance, bracing, item retrieval, opening and closing doors and momentum pulling, … Read more
As the spooky season approaches and neighborhoods immerse themselves in all things eerie and fun, both humans and pets prepare for Halloween. However, for our four-legged friends, it might also mean a period of heightened stress and anxiety. The strange sights of ghouls, witches, and monsters, coupled with unusual sounds and bustling activities, could perplex … Read more
Training your own service dog is by no means an easy feat. It takes time, consistency, patience, and a lot of compassion towards yourself and your dog. There will be great days where you see huge strides in your dog’s training, and there will be hard days too. To ease training frustration and better see … Read more
Author: Emila Smith
Header photo credit: REGINE THOLEN on Unsplash
