Page 78 - Lubbock Senior Link Magazine Fall 2019- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

Man’s Best

Friend - Literally

by Julie Wilson

ccording to the American Independence®, who provide trained such as groceries or laundry, via a wagon
Disabilities Act (ADA), a service service dogs free of charge. Since 1975, or basket into or within a house.
Adog is any dog that is “individually Canine Companions® has placed more
trained to do work or perform tasks than 6,100 expertly trained assistance This assistance with daily tasks
for the benefit of an individual with a dogs to serve veterans, adults, and enables individuals to function more
disability.” Physical, sensory, intellectual, children. independently, giving them confidence
and mental disabilities are included that leads to a renewed sense of self-
in the ADA definition. By federal law, Canine Companions for Independence worth and fulfillment. In brief, these
no business can discriminate against (CCI) was founded by Bonnie Bergin, dogs provide both practical help and
or inhibit an individual with a trained a former special education teacher, companionship that significantly
service dog from occupying their who was passionate about increasing improves one’s quality of life.
facilities. the independence of individuals with
disabilities. While traveling with her In addition to their ongoing service
Most people associate service dogs with husband in Asia, Bergin witnessed to veterans, Canine Companions was
guide dogs that assist those who are people with disabilities using donkeys selected in 2015 to participate in a
visually impaired or medical alert dogs to assist them. Bergin determined that a multi-year study with the Department of
trained to indicate low insulin levels or dog could provide similar assistance with Veterans Affairs (VA) to train and place
an impending epileptic seizure. However, less public intrusion. When she returned service dogs with veterans suffering
this is just the tip of the iceberg when home, she adopted a puppy from a from post-traumatic stress disorder
it comes to ways that highly trained local shelter, and shortly thereafter, the (PTSD). Based on the success of the VA
dogs can assist individuals with a myriad “service dog” was born. study, Canine Companions launched
of conditions that might affect their its own pilot program in 2018, and in
independence and confidence. Since its inception, Canine Companions 2019, expanded the program to include
has been committed to serving veterans two more of its six regional centers. The
Although estimates vary widely, the through their expertly trained assistance Baylor Scott and White Health - Kinkeade
average cost of a trained service dog dogs. Until recently, most veteran Campus in Irving, Texas, located in the
ranges from $10,000 to $50,000. Many handlers have been those with mobility South Central Region, is one of the
individuals, including veterans, who impairments, including service-related centers selected for this expansion.
might benefit from the assistance of injuries and/or prosthetic limbs. Canine
a trained service dog are naturally Companions service dogs are trained to So, what does a service dog do for a
deterred by this expense. assist these individuals with daily tasks veteran with PTSD? These dogs are
such as pulling a wheelchair, retrieving trained in many of the same commands
Thankfully, there are organizations, like dropped items, turning on/off lights, as regular service dogs but with the
the non-profit Canine Companions for opening doors, and transporting items, addition of commands specifically

78 Lubbock Senior Link