We have a client who is a veteran and brings his dog in for his medical care under the jurisdiction of the Veteran’s Affairs.  The client is blind and he relies on this dog to enable him to get around and have a higher quality of life than he would have without him.  It is heartwarming to know that our government is aware of this need and can financially help this veteran who was blinded serving this country by supporting the care for his Seeing Eye dog.  More and more we read about all of the wonderful uses that dogs are being trained for.  September 11th put the Rescue dogs in the spotlight and we recently highlighted them again on our Facebook page (become a fan of Case Veterinary HospitalJ) as they proved their value in Haiti. 

As parents, we see the added use of dogs in our child’s schools and libraries where they are used to encourage children to read.  Allowances are being made to enable service dogs to go into the schools with children who are autistic, deaf, blind, diabetic or epileptic.  These specially trained canines have the ability to warn the teacher when the child might be on the verge of an epileptic fit or they may simply be a calming presence in the classroom to the child with special needs.  When your child has diabetes, you can never stop thinking about them, but with a properly trained medical alert dog you can relax a little more each day as it grows to know your child's signs and smells. Most parents worry that their child will be unable to lead an independent life, but with the exception of having a dog with them, these children can start to feel self-reliant, free to be more active and fully enjoy living life.

As a veterinarian, I see time and time again the special bond between some of my older clients whose pets help stave off loneliness.  For many, having the responsibility of a pet to take care of gives them a reason to get up in the morning.    One study determined that petting a dog can lower blood pressure and another found that pets can reduce stress related illnesses.  A study at City Hospital in New York noted that heart patients who owned pets lived longer than those without pets.  Owning a pet was found to be more significant to long term survival than the presence of even a spouse or friends.

Pets make us feel good.  They comfort us, allow us to be ourselves and give those of us that need it, a reason for living.  To all those who train Guide dogs, Assistance dogs, Therapy dogs, Police dogs, Search & Rescue dogs, Tracking dogs, Avalanche dogs, Sniffer dogs, and Bomb dogs to name a few , you have my upmost respect.   I have seen these dogs at work and it never ceases to amaze me how much they add value to our lives. 

For a wonderful and informative web site your children can go to see:  http://www.jcsda.com/kids/photos-work.htm