Rescue Dogs as Service Dogs: Training Shelter Dogs for a Purpose

Rescue dogs can make excellent service dogs, but they require special training to meet the high standards of service dog work.

According to the American Kennel Club, shelter dogs can be trained to assist with a wide range of tasks, from mobility assistance to medical alert systems.

Rescue dogs often have a strong desire to please and learn, which makes them well-suited for service dog training.

Studies have shown that shelter dogs can learn just as quickly as purebred dogs, given the right training and socialization.

If you're visually impaired or have difficulty hearing, an ordinary service dog might be suggested.

You can also qualify for a psychiatric service dog if you're suffering from a mental health illness like PTSD, depression, anxiety, or panic disorders.

With a doctor's written recommendation, you can start your search online and offline for nearby organizations that provide service dogs.

These organizations are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, giving you and your service dog access to public facilities like airplanes, trains, and hotel and lodging accommodations.

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You can adopt a rescue dog and pursue training with an organization on your own, or work with an organization that provides service dogs.

Service dog organizations consider several key things when ascertaining a rescue dog's ability to serve as a service dog, but they can still make great companions with the right training.

To qualify as a service dog, your rescue dog must be trained to perform specific tasks that assist with a disability or condition. These tasks can include opening doors, picking up items, or providing emotional support.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs must be under the control of their handler at all times. This means that your rescue dog should be trained to walk by your side, not pull on the leash, and respond to basic commands.

Service dogs are not required to wear a specific vest or identification, but they must be easily identifiable as a working animal.

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When considering a service dog, their age is a crucial factor. Most service dog organizations prefer evaluating post-adolescent and older dogs.

This helps avoid the possibility that the dog's behavior or temperament could change with puberty or growing older. Oftentimes, dogs between the ages of nine months and two and a half years are considered best for recruitment.

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Some dogs are bred to be hypoallergenic, meaning they produce fewer allergens than other breeds.

While not all service dogs are hypoallergenic, some handlers may consider this feature to minimize allergy issues.

Hypoallergenic features may be considered to prevent or minimize the chances that the dog could cause allergies to its handler.

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Training shelter dogs can be a fantastic way to find the perfect service dog for your needs. Rescue dogs can indeed become service dogs, as long as they are in good health, can be trained, and have the right temperaments.

You might be surprised to learn that many shelter dogs are simply surrendered because their owners no longer can care for them, or because they got lost and no one claimed them. Some shelter dogs are even purebred!

Shelter dogs often develop a stronger bond with their new caregivers, becoming more clingy and attentive. This can be a huge advantage when training service dogs, especially for conditions that require close attention to physical changes.

Adolescent shelter dogs, typically between 1-2 years old, are often preferred for service training. This is because their temperament is more predictable at this age, reducing the risk of inherited behavior traits that might be problematic for service work.

The size and breed of a shelter dog don't matter when it comes to service training. We can train small, medium, or large dogs, depending on our clients' preferences or needs.

Here are some reasons why shelter dogs make great service dogs:

If you're looking for a service dog, you can start your search online and offline for nearby organizations that provide service dogs.

These organizations can help you find a service dog that's a good match for you and your specific needs.

With your doctor's written recommendation, you can pursue training with an organization on your own, or you can adopt a rescue and work with the organization to train it as a service dog.

Service dogs have the legal right to access any public facility you have clearance for, including airplanes, trains, and hotel and lodging accommodations, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

You can search for organizations that provide service dogs online, and also reach out to local shelters and rescue groups to see if they have any dogs that might be a good fit for service work.

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Adopting a rescue dog as a service dog can be a rewarding experience, but it's essential to consider the costs involved. Prices to adopt a career change dog can range from $0 to $1,000 or more.

One of the significant benefits of adopting a rescue dog as a service dog is the potential to save a life. These dogs have already undergone extensive training and health screening, making them highly desirable as pets.

Be prepared to wait, as the adoption process can take months or even years. This is because these organizations often have more potential adopters than dogs ready to be re-homed.

The costs associated with adopting a rescue dog as a service dog can be substantial, but the benefits of having a loyal and loving companion far outweigh the expenses.

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American Humane's mission is to harness the healing power of the human-animal bond to help those in need.

Their Pups4Patriots program provides lifesaving service dogs to veterans and first responders, with over 200 dogs already served to date.

This program continues to grow, serving more heroes each year thanks to generous donor support.

The goal is to get more healing leashes into the hands of those who need them most.

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