Guide Dogs

Guide dogs provide invaluable assistance to a blind child or adult and this help can be life changing for the blind person and their family.  The guide dog can help with everyday activities such as dressing and undressing, putting the lid of the toilet down and getting around safely.  They are wonderful companions and instil confidence.  Outdoors, they will stop at kerbs until told to cross, watch out for approaching cars and they have access to all places, like restaurants and public transport.  They are in effect, the blind person’s eyes.

Diabetes (Type 1)

As dogs have an acute sense of smell, they can be trained to detect changes in the levels in their owner’s blood sugar level, even before the owner feels it. The dog is able to alert the person of this change, bring medication, bring a telephone or get help by alerting someone close by or pressing an alarm button.

Epilepsy

The dog has been trained to respond when the person is having a seizure. The dog can help by retrieving a telephone or medication or by using modern technology such as pressing an alarm button.  If a child is having a seizure, the dog may be trained to alert other family members. In these situations the dog being present when the individual wakes up can be very comforting.

Autism

Many people with autism find the outside world quite daunting. Children with autism often find it difficult to express their feelings and don’t realise the consequences of their actions. Assistance dogs can help by alerting a parent if the child is about to wander off and can also help to build confidence in communicating with others.

Mobility

Assistance dogs can help people with limited mobility by picking up dropped items, fetching items and help with undressing such as the removal of socks.