Dogs at Work

Dogs at Work

Introduction You probably know that some dogs aren't just pets-they hold jobs! Some dogs can work on farms, guarding or herding animals. Other dogs can pull sleds or help people hunt. Dogs have worked with people for thousands of years. What makes dogs such great workers? They learn fast, and they can also hear and smell better than we can. This means that dogs can do jobs that people can't. Some of their jobs may surprise you.

Service and Therapy Dogs Many dogs work with people to help them feel better. These dogs are called therapy dogs. Therapy dogs comfort people and keep them calm. These dogs sometimes visit sick people in hospitals to cheer them up. Therapy dogs need to have a friendly personality. They are trained to react calmly to new places, smells, and people.

Other dogs help people with disabilities. These dogs are called service dogs. Service dogs can do many different jobs. For example, guide dogs help people who cannot see well. These dogs are trained to keep people from stepping into traffic. Guide dogs are also trained to lead their owner around objects. That way, their owner won't trip or fall.

Some service dogs help people who can't hear well. These dogs listen for noises (like a doorbell), touch their owner, and move toward the noise. Some service dogs also help their owner move around. They pull wheelchairs, pick up dropped objects, press buttons, and open doors.

Some service dogs use their nose to help their owner. For example, dogs can help people with low blood sugar. These dogs can smell changes in blood and alert their owner to eat food or take medicine. Other service dogs can smell when a person is about to have a seizure. These sudden attacks cause body spasms and other problems. Service dogs can warn the person before it happens. Other dogs work with children who have food allergies. Some children can't eat peanuts. Service dogs can help them by smelling hidden peanuts in food.