May2015

Mobility dogs can walk beside disabled people, guide
them, and make a difference in their lives.
that do not have to wear a vest. In addition,
the airline, train, and bus companies
will usually waive the transportation fee
for the animal. These devoted companions
do not bark in public and will sit
comfortably beneath your legs or at your
side. However, you must bring a carrier
for them on long trips.
In addition to having a personal service
animal, there are several agencies and
individuals that provide loving visits to
nursing homes, hospitals, and assisted
living facilities. Caring animal handlers
bring all kinds of feline and canine
companions to share their loving touch
to those who are immobile or infirmed.
They are poodles, terriers, shepherds,
and rescued greyhounds. There are big
ones, little ones, furry ones, and chunky
ones. The dogs are quiet, and cats purr.
But they all mingle with the crowd. They
are never permitted to run loose or wild.
Petting is encouraged, and the animals
are ever so gentle. Sometimes they
climb into bed if they are encouraged.
The residents and patients love the
warmth of their touch. They exude
peace; love surrounds them.
Beautiful days are sometimes lost on
young disabled children. They also
need the comfort of a small, gentle
touch for the sole purpose of providing
stability and comfort for the sightless,
hearing impaired, or medically,
physically, and emotionally needy.
The colorful sight of a brightly colored
parrot or bird can bring incentive to
a child whose vision is impaired by
glaucoma. The chirp of a bird in a
cage near a child’s bed can bring
mellow thoughts to one who is hearing
impaired.
For the young children wanting to run
with the others but restrained by a
wheelchair, walker, or leg brace, a small
horse can walk beside them, guide
them, nudge them and love them, and
make a difference in their lives. P
To learn more about service animals
and how they might enhance your life
or that of a loved one, contact your city
hall for details and ask how you may
find possible agencies and trainers.
Rescued greyhounds have a calm, quiet nature and are
said to bond deeply and quickly to an owner.
Research shows that stroking or cuddling a cat can
relieve stress and lower blood pressure.
A therapy bird’s chirp can bring mellow thoughts to a
child who is hearing impaired.
A diabetic trained
service dog smells
the fruity ketones a
person’s body produces
when blood sugar is
too high, or the unique
scent a person gives
off when blood sugar is
too low.
A guide horse is an experimental mobility option
for blind people who do not wish to or cannot use
a guide dog. They are provided by The Guide Horse
Foundation, founded in 1999 to provide miniature
horses as assistance animals to blind users living in
rural environments.
the PARKLANDER 111