Colt, a highly trained service dog, is a true lifesaver for his owner, who suffers from a traumatic brain injury. He’s specifically trained to protect her head during seizures, ensuring she stays safe from further injury.
Being a service dog is an incredibly rewarding job. It takes extensive training, but the ability to improve the lives of humans and offer comfort is worth every moment of hard work. You’ve probably seen some of us working alongside our humans, and let me tell you—we love what we do!
One essential quality of a service dog is patience. Sure, we love our treats, but we also understand the importance of being calm and patient as people get to know us.
Hospitals don’t have to be intimidating places. In fact, some of us even get our own hospital IDs, allowing us to visit patients and spread smiles wherever we go.
I don’t want to boast, but I’ve been told my fur is softer than a baby lamb’s, and my presence is more comforting than finding the last Jello cup in the fridge.
There’s something special about holding hands—especially when that “hand” has paw pads and leaves the cutest little footprints behind.
Like our non-service dog friends, we absolutely adore getting petted. While we’d like to say we do it solely for the humans, we have to admit—it feels pretty amazing for us too.
Here’s a tip: If you spot me in a hospital, always ask my human before you reach out to pet me. When I’m on the job, it’s crucial that I stay focused on my tasks.
It can’t be said enough—hugs are powerful medicine, and we’re always ready to provide a dose of comfort.
Our irresistible charm can make it tough for people to resist petting us, but remember, it’s important to ask first, especially if we’re wearing our cool vest. That vest is our uniform, and it means we’re on duty.
Becoming a service dog takes a lot of training, starting from a young age. We learn from the best, with older, experienced dogs showing us the ropes.
We’re trained to walk with humans who need assistance, so please give us space to do our job effectively. And remember, a true gentleman always offers his hand—especially to a lady as graceful as this one.
While I can’t read, I’ve been told my vest says, “Therapy Dog.” What I do know is that I love my work, and I have to say, red really is my color!
Sometimes, a group of us service dogs will showcase our skills together. Just keep in mind that if we’re wearing our vests, we’re working, so no treats or belly rubs without our human’s permission!
We take care of humans of all ages and sizes, and when we’re on duty, they’re our number one priority. So, please don’t distract us or ignore our human partners.
Even though we’re usually glued to our humans, if I leave my owner’s side and come to you, it might be because they need assistance. Always check with my human if that happens.
When I visit sick children, my only goal is to make them smile. And with my charm, I can *always* get a smile.
