Paralysis Resource Guide - (Page 242) TOOLS SERVICE ANIMALS You may not think of an animal as an assistive device or tool, but it’s easy to see that dogs, and even less conventional animals such as monkeys, can make a real difference in peoples’ lives. Service animals increase their owner’s independence and enhance their quality of life. A dog can help to turn on a light switch, pull a wheelchair, pick up dropped keys or open a cupboard door. Dogs are great companions in general, and from what people who own service animals report, they are great icebreakers when meeting the public. Most service dogs are mild-mannered golden retrievers or Labrador retrievers, although some dogs without pedigree are rescued from shelters and trained to be service dogs. There are numerous organizations across the United States and abroad that train service dogs or provide training for people to use their own dogs. Here are several sources of information: Assistance Dogs International maintains a list of assistance dog centers across the U.S. and abroad. On the Internet visit www.adionline.org Canine Companions for Independence is a nationwide program that provides assistance dogs at no cost to the person with a disability. All the expenses of breeding, raising and training are funded through private donations. Canine Companions for Independence, P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA 95402; tollfree 1-800-572-BARK; www.caninecompanions.org 4646 South Division, Wayland, MI 49348; toll-free 1-800-253-PAWS; or visit the Internet site www.pawswithacause.org PAWS with a Cause, National Education for Assistance Dogs Services provides service dogs for people who are deaf or who use wheelchairs. P.O. Box 213, West Boylston, MA 01583; telephone 978-422-9064; or visit www.neads.org 242 http://www.adionline.org http://www.caninecompanions.org http://www.pawswithacause.org http://www.neads.org
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