Animals of the Tech Expo: Assistance Dogs

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Thanks to the modern age in which we live, a quick internet search can turn up information on just about anything we can think of. And when we perform a search on our beloved assistance dogs, we learn from Morieka Johnson that they can “accomplish pretty amazing feats on a daily basis. Bethe Bennett’s miniature schnauzer nudged her back to consciousness after a fall. The trained service dog also retrieved an emergency phone list so Bennett could call neighbors for assistance. A pooch named Mr. Gibbs totes Alida Knobloch’s oxygen tank so the 2-year-old can dash around with other children. Mr. Gibbs even braves playground slides with Alida…[and] Sandra Leavitt also relies on a service dog to help battle her rare seizure disorder” (Source).

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The statistics tell us: “According to the University of Arizona, 0.9% of persons with disabilities are partnered with service dogs. In 1990, Congress found that there were 43 million Americans with disabilities, suggesting there are approximately 387,000 service dogs across the US” (Source). The times have progressed since 1990, and we certainly hope that the stats have progressed as well. Fact is, for the number of disabled persons existent in America, the amount of them who could use an assistance dog is probably vast.

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At the Tech Expo in Sonoma County, our friends from Canine Companions for Independence help us to challenge those stats by bringing their wonderful animals for everyone to get to know.

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From their website, we can learn a lot about this amazing company: “Founded in 1975, Canine Companions for Independence is a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to ensure quality partnerships. Headquartered in Santa Rosa, CA, Canine Companions is the largest non-profit provider of assistance dogs, and is recognized worldwide for the excellence of its dogs, and the quality and longevity of the matches it makes between dogs and people. The result is a life full of increased independence and loving companionship” (Source).

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Maybe you’d like to see about getting an assistance dog for yourself, or maybe you know someone who could really benefit from the skills a companion like this could provide. Or maybe you’re interested in learning more about the people who train these remarkable animals, or maybe you’re just in need of some serious dog loving.

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Whatever the case, DSLC’s Tech Expo 2015 is the place to go and learn more about assistance dogs and the dedicated people who bring them into our society.

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How can you possibly resist?

Join us for Tech Expo 2015!

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12 thoughts on “Animals of the Tech Expo: Assistance Dogs”

  5. You do a remarkable thing. I do not fit into the usual category of needing an assistance animal. I’m Bipolar with Conversion Disorder, Social Phobia, General Anxiety, and Celiac Disease that was left undiagnosed has caused balance and cognitive issues. My Chihuahua was extremely in tune with my emotions. He knew when I was going into a Depressive Episode. He would run as fast as he could to get to me and lick my tears away. He always knew. When he went into kidney failure a few weeks ago we were shocked. The vet thought it was probably due to in breeding and genetic. I miss him. Good luck and thanks for all you do.

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      • I actually found 2 brothers that are perfect at a local rescue. The problem is they want you to bring any animals living with you to the rescue to meet the dogs you are interested in. My father who I live with has a Papillon that is older with a heart murmur. They want proof you own your home, all current vet records, and $280 a piece. These poor brothers have been there for some time now. We also have a Pomeranian with Epilepsy who is 9 years old. It’s unfair to throw them into an environment with 50 other barking dogs they don’t know. My dogs are easy going but they are mostly my dad’s. They have changed since my Chihuahua passed. They were a pack. He kept the older dogs moving and playing. They also want to do a home inspection. My father had a Federal Permit to help increase the numbers of birds on the Endangered Species list. He then donated them to zoos with breeding programs. I know they have to be careful but I think this is overboard. The other rescues are all similar. Sorry for ranting. It’s been frustrating.

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