National Service Dog Month: Trainer explains how important these animals are

MARYLAND- September is National Service Dog Month.

These animals play a huge role in many lives, performing tasks for people with disabilities.

“I believe that service dogs are really important in people’s lives because it helps the individuals with disabilities it also helps the family members become at ease knowing that they have a dog there to assist them,” Tally Jackson IV, a local dog trainer, said.

They are trained to do a number of different tasks, including assisting with balance and giving seizure or diabetic alerts.

“Some people are needing service dogs to help them with mobility things, have challenges with picking up things on their own,” Jackson said.

For Jackson he said he’s seen first hand the difference service dogs make.

He’s trained a diabetic alert dog who alerts the owner if her glucose levels change, which is a lifesaver.

“So, the diabetic alert dog if the ladies glucose dropped too low she would go into a diabetic coma,” Jackson said.

Also, service dogs play a big role in helping veterans who are coping with Post-Traumatic Stress.

“They are able to accompany those veterans wherever they go in any public building or any private residence, so that really does provide a lot of support for veterans,” Wendy Myers, the Executive Director of the Cricket Center, said.

We’re told especially right now service dogs will benefit the veterans leaving Afghanistan after the United States ended the 20 year war there.

“I definitely believe with the Afghanistan troops coming back and returning home, the VA will be really busy writing scripts for their vets to get service dogs and that will help them out,” Jackson said.

And with that said, while these animals truly have a meaning in life their owners are able to gain a sense of freedom.

“Anytime we can use an animal to provide support for assistance to a person it gives the dog purpose and it certainly gives the individual their independence,” Myers said.