There is currently a picture making the rounds on social media that is unsettling some users! It's this current picture with the following inscription: "If an assistance dog (visible on the collar or blanket with writing) comes towards you without a master, he wants you to follow him because his owner needs him."

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Is this claim true?

It is indeed possible that an assistance dog has been trained to get help in an emergency. However, this does not apply to all assistance dogs and can vary depending on their training and task. In general, if you encounter an assistance dog without its owner, you should try to assess the situation and get help if necessary. However, context should always be taken into account. It is also possible that the dog got lost or was separated from its owner for other reasons. Therefore, you should always try to assess the dog and the situation and act accordingly. If in doubt, it may be helpful to inform local authorities or an animal welfare organization to ensure the dog is returned safely to its owner.

In detail

Assistance and therapy dogs: More than just four-legged friends

As we all know, dogs are man's best friend. They provide company, joy and often comfort. But did you know that there are dogs that are specially trained to assist us in ways that go far beyond what a pet can normally do? Assistance and therapy dogs are indispensable companions for people with special needs and challenges. But what differentiates these two types of assistance dogs and what specific tasks do they perform?

Assistance dogs: heroes at our side

Assistance dogs are specially trained companions for people with physical or mental disabilities. These four-legged friends are true all-rounders and do much more than just keep you company.

The special features of assistance dogs

Unlike therapy dogs, which typically help multiple people, assistance dogs are trained specifically for a specific person. He learns certain tasks to support his human partner in everyday challenges. These include, for example, opening doors, pressing buttons at traffic lights, picking up fallen objects or administering medication.

A notable trait of assistance dogs is their ability to focus and distract in public. They are trained to ignore other people and dogs in order to concentrate entirely on the needs of their humans.

Different roles of assistance dogs

Assistance dogs can take on different roles depending on the specific needs and challenges of their human partner:

  1. Guide dogs for the blind : These dogs are trained to safely guide blind or visually impaired people. They can recognize obstacles, guide their owners to entrances and exits and even understand traffic lights.
  2. Mobility Assistance Dogs : These dogs help people with limited mobility by being able to open doors, retrieve items, and even pull wheelchairs.
  3. PTSD Service Dogs : These dogs support people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They can interrupt nightmares or flashbacks and provide security for their owner by checking rooms for strangers.
  4. Signal dogs : These dogs are trained to alert people who are hard of hearing or deaf. They lead their owners to the sounds they cannot hear.
  5. Mental Illness Therapy Dogs : These dogs provide support to people with mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and borderline personality disorder. They can give signals to alert the patient to their surroundings or move them to a quieter place.

Therapy Dogs: Bringers of Comfort and Joy

Unlike assistance dogs, therapy dogs do not have specific tasks that they must perform. Instead, their primary role is to bring comfort, joy and emotional support.

The special features of therapy dogs

Therapy dogs typically accompany medical professionals and can benefit multiple people. They are often used in hospitals, retirement homes, schools and other facilities to make everyday life easier for people there.

Conclusion: It is indeed possible for an assistance dog to have been trained to get help in an emergency. However, this does not apply to all assistance dogs and can vary depending on their training and task. In general, if you encounter an assistance dog without its owner, you should try to assess the situation and get help if necessary. Both assistance dogs and therapy dogs play an irreplaceable role in the lives of the people they help. They are much more than just pets - they are real helpers, supporters and often the invaluable companions of their human partners.

Source: assistance dog or therapy dog

Also read: Oxana Malaya: A life between humanity and wildlife


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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )