Lending a paw
The emotional impact of service dogs on their owners
Jill Ogden and her dog Quest go for a stroll outside of their around their Stockbridge home on February 28.
Waking up and getting everyone ready is an everyday routine. Leaving to walk her kids to school, Jill Ogden has her seeing eye dog Quest faithfully by her side for the whole way.
During the day while her kids are at school, Ogden does day to day things while Quest is off duty, meaning she can be a normal dog.
“She’s off duty for awhile while I clean and do the other day-to-day stuff,” Ogden said. “We go back in the afternoon to pick kids up, and most days there’s some kind of after school activity or meeting, so we’re out and about for that stuff.”
“My puppy has made me a happier person,” said Logan Gauss. “She has such a happy and bubbly personality it just rubs off on anyone she’s around. She has definitely became my best friend, and she makes me smile so much.”
Service dogs also give emotional benefits to people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The U.S. Department of Veterans gives a few examples of emotional benefits from having a dog like being able to bring out feelings of love or having a good reason to get out of the house and meet new people.
Ogden knows how to walk with a cane, but with Quest by her side she is able to walk faster with more ease.
“It is important that Quest’s attention remains on me when she is working,” Ogden said. “A good example, is when there’s construction, and we have to navigate around barriers.”
According to Service Dog Central, service dogs take between 18 and 24 months to train. Three basic areas of training include manners, obedience and proofing (public access skills). “Healing” or the ability of the dog to stay perfectly aligned with their owner is a very hard task to train and immense attention from the dogs.
Service dogs are often able to act like normal dogs when they are not on the job.
“When she is not in harness she is more than welcome to be a regular old dog.” Ogden said.“She is a great asset to our family. She allows me to be independent which helps me to better take care of my family, and when she’s off harness, she’s a much loved dog.”
Ogden got her dog through “The Seeing Eye, Inc.” in New Jersey. Their goal is improve the independence, dignity and self confidence of blind people.
“She allows me to be independent which helps me to better take care of my family,” Ogden said.
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