This past week, we also had to read two fascinating articles that I absolutely love and feel like they apply to a lot of what I go through as a trainer of services dogs.
This one is by Service Dog Society and helps to breakdown what a service dog is, how they differ from other working dogs. One of my favorite quotes from this article is that "Service Dogs LOVE what they do." This quote can not be any truer, when I watch Tory, Coco, Ganther, or any of the dogs work, there is just a change in them when you ask them for something. They almost light up and to me that is what brings me the most "proud mom" moments and happiness as a trainer. Don't ever think that these dogs don't love what they are doing and they would prefer to be at home for 8 hours and only get to see their person for 4 hours before they go back to sleep again. The next one is also by Service Dog Society. This one applies most to what it's like to live with a service dog and a lot of it also applies to me as a trainer. The most applicable quote is "Going out with a Service Dog is akin to going out with a young child." This applies so much. No longer can I just walk anywhere in my own world, I am always looking out for food on the ground that I need to avoid, listening for noises that may scare the dog, watching out and avoiding people who will just come up and pet the dog or may be scared of the dog. It is honestly like having a child with you all the time, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.
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