Service Dogs

By Jordan L.

A service dog in a harness is helping a blind person walk down the street.

Training Service Dogs

Service dogs help people with disabilities in their daily activities. These dogs are trained at a special facility, usually with other types of assistance dogs. After the service dogs have been trained specifically for their soon-to-be owner’s needs, the owners go to the facility to train with their dog for about two weeks. After the dogs are trained, as long as the training has gone well, there will be a graduation ceremony, and the dog will go home with his/her owner.

How to Act around a Service Dog

When you are around service dogs and their owners, it is always best to talk to the owner, not the dog. Ignore the dog as to not distract him or her from their work. If you want to pet the dog, ask the owner, and wait until they say it’s alright. If you want to know about the dog, ask the owner.

Service Dogs for America

Service Dogs for America, or SDA, was created by Ed Duden, Steve Powers, and Michael Goehring in 1989. It is a nonprofit organization that assists those with disabilities in their daily lives by providing them with highly trained service dogs. SDA headquarters is located in Jud, North Dakota, and is the only nonprofit service dog provider in North Dakota. It aims to help physically injured people be more independent by using a trained assistance dog. According to its website, “We hope to see a society where disabled individuals are empowered to fully participate in social, educational, and occupational opportunities.”