| Dog Helpers Academy trains, and places service dogs for people with disabilities. Often, a service dog can provide that extra little push needed for a person with a disability to become more independent. The daily tasks, such as retrieving important medications or a phone, are an essential to the wellbeing of our clients. Dogs have been linked to positive changes in mood, self esteem, & even blood pressure. Just the touch of a dog can sometimes make us feel a little bit better. The combination of a dog's ability to assist both physically and emotionally is truly life changing. |
Many of our clients enjoy being involved throughout the entire process
Because every client is different, we discuss the degree to which and in what ways he/she will be involved in the training and socializing of his/her new service dog. We work one-on-one with clients to determine what suits their needs best. We are always just a phone call or email away.
Why Choose Us
- Before graduating from the program, each dog must pass several skill/temperament testing and a public access evaluation (we use the standards set forth by International Association of Assistance Dog Partners for public access work).
- Clients then complete a week long training course with their new canine partner.
- Throughout the week we focus on facilitating the bonding process, familiarizing the client and any family members or aids in the use and care of the dog, integrating the dog into the clients routine, and discuss the next step for the new team.
- At the end of the week, clients must demonstrate the ability to utilize the service dog appropriately, handle the dog safely in public places, and care for the dog.
Our mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities due to progressive and chronic diseases, trauma, & other conditions by not only making every day tasks easier, but also encouraging the emotional bond between a dog and its person to further support & foster independence.
We intentionally remain a smaller, personal program allowing us to provide one on one support to every unique client.
We intentionally remain a smaller, personal program allowing us to provide one on one support to every unique client.
Types of service dogs we place:
Seizure Response Dogs
Seizure Response Dogs work for their partners by responding once a seizure happens. There are a number of different responses available, and the training reflects the needs of the client. Some of the most common tasks a seizure response dog performs are:
• Break a fall to avoid head trauma
• Hit a button wired to turn off dangerous appliances in the home at the onset of a seizure
• Go to family members/teachers/roommates for help in case of an emergency
• Retrieve and/or carry neccesary medication on command
• Hold the person in a safe position for the duration of the seizure
• Provide guardianship/safety during a seizure
• Alert the public there is a person with a medical condition
Guardianship for children often allows them to feel safe and confident in public places, encouraging them to form relationships with their peers. Many of our clients, adults and children, develop a feeling of empowerment with their service dog; they now have the tools neccsary to prevent or recover from a seizure. Clients often tell us they are now enjoying camping trips, school programs, sporting events, and the park; all outings they were not comfortable with before their service dogs. Seizure Response Dogs are not only capable of performing tasks to keep their people safe, they can provide an essential sense of control and independence.
In Children:
It is not uncommon for children to have a difficult time while more detailed diagnoses are being made and medications are being adjusted, especially through puberty. In addition to developing a fear of having a seizure in public or in front of their peers, young seizure disorder patients sometimes have difficulty dealing with repeated hospital and doctor trips. Our seizure response dogs can help by preventing further damage or injury by breaking a fall, keep the child safe during/after a seizure, and give the child confidence, and soothing the child during tough times.
In Adults:
Clients who contact us regarding seizure response dogs want to regain their independence and feel empowered to move forward with their lives while coping with a diagnosis of Epilepsy or another seizure disorder. It is essential they have access to their medications, or are able to move through a store or workplace without worrying about regaining consciousness in a dangerous environment. Because the progression of each client's seizures are different, there are numerous solutions to common hurdles many adult Epilepsy patients face.
• Break a fall to avoid head trauma
• Hit a button wired to turn off dangerous appliances in the home at the onset of a seizure
• Go to family members/teachers/roommates for help in case of an emergency
• Retrieve and/or carry neccesary medication on command
• Hold the person in a safe position for the duration of the seizure
• Provide guardianship/safety during a seizure
• Alert the public there is a person with a medical condition
Guardianship for children often allows them to feel safe and confident in public places, encouraging them to form relationships with their peers. Many of our clients, adults and children, develop a feeling of empowerment with their service dog; they now have the tools neccsary to prevent or recover from a seizure. Clients often tell us they are now enjoying camping trips, school programs, sporting events, and the park; all outings they were not comfortable with before their service dogs. Seizure Response Dogs are not only capable of performing tasks to keep their people safe, they can provide an essential sense of control and independence.
In Children:
It is not uncommon for children to have a difficult time while more detailed diagnoses are being made and medications are being adjusted, especially through puberty. In addition to developing a fear of having a seizure in public or in front of their peers, young seizure disorder patients sometimes have difficulty dealing with repeated hospital and doctor trips. Our seizure response dogs can help by preventing further damage or injury by breaking a fall, keep the child safe during/after a seizure, and give the child confidence, and soothing the child during tough times.
In Adults:
Clients who contact us regarding seizure response dogs want to regain their independence and feel empowered to move forward with their lives while coping with a diagnosis of Epilepsy or another seizure disorder. It is essential they have access to their medications, or are able to move through a store or workplace without worrying about regaining consciousness in a dangerous environment. Because the progression of each client's seizures are different, there are numerous solutions to common hurdles many adult Epilepsy patients face.
Medical Alert Dogs
Medical alert dogs can fulfill a variety of needs depending on an individual's diagnosis. At Dog helpers Academy we place several different types of medical alert dogs:
Medical Alert for respiratory disorders
Patients who are diagnosed with a respiratory disease such as severe asthma or COPD can benefit from a medical alert dog. Medical Alert Dogs in these cases can be trained to remind a client to check his/her oxygen level, shortness of breathe, or medication levels. In addition, the dogs can retrieve medication, go for help, wake up a person suffering from poor breathing, or alert others to an ongoing medical emergency. Clients who are a part of a medical alert team generally also choose to have the dog carry essential medications to keep these items within reach at all times.
Medical Alert for conditions causing weakness, chronic pain, and loss of consciousness
Individuals who have been diagnosed with a disorder causing weakness, chronic pain, or loss consciousness that greatly impacts their daily life can be assisted by a medical alert dog. In this case, applications are evaluated for the specific needs of each client. For instance, a client with orthostatic intolerance who may experience dizziness when standing, would need a medical alert dog trained to provide stability/balance, retrieve medication and/or go for help should a fall occur.
Diabetic Alert Dogs
Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert to high/low blood glucose levels. The dogs do this by 'smelling' their person and detecting diabetic ketoacidosis. Generally, diabetic alert dogs can alert to a swing in blood glucose level before it becomes debilitating.
As with all of our service dogs, Medical Alert Dogs are trained specifically for their future partner. Specific details of the diagnosis will be required during the application process for this reason
Medical Alert for respiratory disorders
Patients who are diagnosed with a respiratory disease such as severe asthma or COPD can benefit from a medical alert dog. Medical Alert Dogs in these cases can be trained to remind a client to check his/her oxygen level, shortness of breathe, or medication levels. In addition, the dogs can retrieve medication, go for help, wake up a person suffering from poor breathing, or alert others to an ongoing medical emergency. Clients who are a part of a medical alert team generally also choose to have the dog carry essential medications to keep these items within reach at all times.
Medical Alert for conditions causing weakness, chronic pain, and loss of consciousness
Individuals who have been diagnosed with a disorder causing weakness, chronic pain, or loss consciousness that greatly impacts their daily life can be assisted by a medical alert dog. In this case, applications are evaluated for the specific needs of each client. For instance, a client with orthostatic intolerance who may experience dizziness when standing, would need a medical alert dog trained to provide stability/balance, retrieve medication and/or go for help should a fall occur.
Diabetic Alert Dogs
Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to alert to high/low blood glucose levels. The dogs do this by 'smelling' their person and detecting diabetic ketoacidosis. Generally, diabetic alert dogs can alert to a swing in blood glucose level before it becomes debilitating.
As with all of our service dogs, Medical Alert Dogs are trained specifically for their future partner. Specific details of the diagnosis will be required during the application process for this reason
Neurological Service dog
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients frequently expereince loss of feeling/dexterity, difficulty walking, vision impairments, coordination and fluidity of movement as well as mental/emotional symptoms. We have had success integrating service dogs into the lives and therapies of TBI patients. Our dogs can assist with balance, retrieving dropped items that can't be seen or physically grasped, and prevent injuiries related to poor coordination/fluidity of movement or vision loss. In most of our clients with TBI, the dog is involved in rehabilitation therapies.
For example, occupational therapists have used at Dog Helpers Academy Service Dogs to practice dressing habits, grasp, and targeting. Another important role service dogs play in the lives of patients with TBI is as a motivating and bonded companion. TBI is often concommitant with depression and feelings of isolation. A service can give his human partner the initiative needed to freely intereract with others and connect with community.
The involvement of the dog provides a positive motivator, alternative focus (e.g redirection during uncomfortable stretching), and empowerment while physically assisting with daily tasks essential for independence.
If you or a loved one has experienced a TBI or other neurological disorder, and as a consequence experiences mobility issues, please check out the Mobility Assistance Dogs section for additional information. Many of the service dogs we have placed have a range of functions, serving clients with multiple diagnoses.
Service Dogs for other neurological conditions
We also serve clients with neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, and/or PTSD. Comparative to TBI patients, self-isolation, difficulty transitioning, a lack of connection to peers or community, and depression can accompany neurological disorders affecting a client's ability to communicate and/or experience the world similar to others. to appropriately mitigate neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, service dogs can interrupt self-harming behaviors, alert to night awakenings, and prevent elopment behaviors. The bond plays an important social role in these types of service dogs- allowing their human partners to safely enjoy the world while increasing quality of life.
For example, occupational therapists have used at Dog Helpers Academy Service Dogs to practice dressing habits, grasp, and targeting. Another important role service dogs play in the lives of patients with TBI is as a motivating and bonded companion. TBI is often concommitant with depression and feelings of isolation. A service can give his human partner the initiative needed to freely intereract with others and connect with community.
The involvement of the dog provides a positive motivator, alternative focus (e.g redirection during uncomfortable stretching), and empowerment while physically assisting with daily tasks essential for independence.
If you or a loved one has experienced a TBI or other neurological disorder, and as a consequence experiences mobility issues, please check out the Mobility Assistance Dogs section for additional information. Many of the service dogs we have placed have a range of functions, serving clients with multiple diagnoses.
Service Dogs for other neurological conditions
We also serve clients with neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, sensory processing disorders, and/or PTSD. Comparative to TBI patients, self-isolation, difficulty transitioning, a lack of connection to peers or community, and depression can accompany neurological disorders affecting a client's ability to communicate and/or experience the world similar to others. to appropriately mitigate neurological conditions such as autism spectrum disorders, service dogs can interrupt self-harming behaviors, alert to night awakenings, and prevent elopment behaviors. The bond plays an important social role in these types of service dogs- allowing their human partners to safely enjoy the world while increasing quality of life.