http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/9680815.Pooches_help_to_spark_happy_memories_at_Alzheimer___s_Support_in_Devizes/
an article about two rescued whippets who are doing a great job as PAT dogs at an Alzheimer Support unit
These are not highly trained assistance dogs, but there is fascinating work being done with training dogs to assist dementia sufferers and their human carers. A pilot project is being started in Scotland. The training technique was developed in Israel and there are now many training centres in the US training Dementia Assistance Dogs. I've also read of similar work in Australia (the Israeli trainer Yaviv Ben-Josef travelled to Australia to train dogs and trainers) and I expect dogs are doing this job in other countries as well.
The dogs trained in Israel were smooth collies. Other training centres seem to be mostly training labradors and German shepherds. I have, however, met a Swedish whippet who is trained as a mobility support dog for his owner. He lifts things for her and can even put her bank card in the ATM slot; I don't suppose he's been given the security code to key in! Whippets are too slight to help a fallen person get up, so this dog has just been trained to circle and bark to call for human assistance.
Some articles re dementia assistance dogs:
http://www.kingsvalleycollies.com/about/alzheimers-aid-dogs
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/guide-dogs-for-the-mind-to-fight-dementia-7668395.html
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/09/service-dog-enriches-alzheimers-patients-life/
an article about two rescued whippets who are doing a great job as PAT dogs at an Alzheimer Support unit
These are not highly trained assistance dogs, but there is fascinating work being done with training dogs to assist dementia sufferers and their human carers. A pilot project is being started in Scotland. The training technique was developed in Israel and there are now many training centres in the US training Dementia Assistance Dogs. I've also read of similar work in Australia (the Israeli trainer Yaviv Ben-Josef travelled to Australia to train dogs and trainers) and I expect dogs are doing this job in other countries as well.
The dogs trained in Israel were smooth collies. Other training centres seem to be mostly training labradors and German shepherds. I have, however, met a Swedish whippet who is trained as a mobility support dog for his owner. He lifts things for her and can even put her bank card in the ATM slot; I don't suppose he's been given the security code to key in! Whippets are too slight to help a fallen person get up, so this dog has just been trained to circle and bark to call for human assistance.
Some articles re dementia assistance dogs:
http://www.kingsvalleycollies.com/about/alzheimers-aid-dogs
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/guide-dogs-for-the-mind-to-fight-dementia-7668395.html
http://www.lifewithdogs.tv/2012/09/service-dog-enriches-alzheimers-patients-life/
