Susquehanna Service Dogs

The Dogs: Balance Dogs

Care is taken to select dogs who will require a minimum of "maintenance" by their human partner. Our Labrador Retrievers tend to have a history of few health problems, require only limited grooming and physical care, and are known for calm temperament and willingness to tolerate long periods of patiently waiting for their human partner.

Key Benefits

The person with a disability is able to function more independently, reducing or eliminating the need to rely on assistance appliances such as a cane or walker.

The person is able to look ahead while walking, instead of focusing only on their feet and the ground in front of them. This can free the person to experience people and things in their surroundings, and can promote social interaction.

The person is able to improve their ability to move about in public places. This might include shopping and other activities where their ability to manipulate doors, other objects and products may otherwise hinder their movement or require human intervention.

The person is able to more freely interact with their environment and other people.

Capabilities

Certified dogs must exhibit excellent manners, follow basic obedience commands and go potty on command. They must exhibit good social behavior (no aggression, no begging, no undesirable playful activity).

They must master basic obedience skills [sit, stay, come, down, stand, heel (on the left side), place (on the right side), back, etc]. They must obey these commands on and off lead. A balance dog can be taught to respond to voice commands, hand signals and whistles. They must perform their tasks when given only one command.

Some of the possible tasks they may be asked to perform would include:

Wear a special balance handle and harness which provides stability for their partner when standing and moving.
Directed or automatic retrieves.
Open and close regular or counterbalanced doors. This is accomplished by pushing the door, pulling on tether or removable door hook, or rotating a door knob by means of pressing down on a removable doorknob turner.
Walk in a controlled manner next to the partner.
Carry a filled backpack containing a small water dish, food, clean-up supplies, tethers, dog treats, door hook, doorknob turner and possibly literature or other objects.
Turn regular light switches on and off.
Push buttons, such as those used to operate automatic doors.
Find and retrieve a cordless phone.
Assist their partner with shopping by interfacing with sales personnel.
Go under tables or counters and be "invisible" in restaurants, refraining from picking up or eating food items dropped on the floor.
Provide constant loyal companionship.

All dogs are expected to perform these tasks without stopping for distractions while on lead, off lead and with the lead dragging.

Keystone Human Services