Dogs With Disabilities

You may have seen them rolling down the sidewalk on two wheels and two paws - a dog with a disability. If you looked close enough as dog and owner passed, you probably noticed one amazing thing: they're both as happy-go-lucky as any regular human-dog pair.

If you are like most people, this scenario seems extraordinary - that the dog would be doing so well with a physical challenge to contend with - and that the owner is patient enough to address the daily needs of his companion. And it is extraordinary. Not for the dog involved (most animals adapt to their disability easily), but for the human. In order to address the needs and challenges posed by a dog without sight, hearing, mobility or any other type of disability, the human needs to have the heart, dedication and ingenuity to help these special animals thrive. Accepting this role is not for everyone, given that some of the duties may include walking the animal from room to room and in extreme cases, emptying their bladder and bowels. But to the people who share their family with these special canines, it is just part of the daily routine. In most cases, the extra assistance they provide for their disabled animal actually increases the bond between them, not the other way around.

Here are some common misconceptions about dogs with disabilities (you will need to get over these, if you feel called to care for one):

• Dogs with disabilities don't have fulfilling lives
• They should be pitied

This is simply not the case. With a little assisted technology, such as harnesses, wheelchairs, advances in medicine, diet and medical procedures, many dogs with disabilities live just as fulfilling lives as those without. As far as pitying our dog with a disability, it just isn't necessary; does it look like Sniper, chasing after the mailman in his wheelchair, is feeling one bit sorry for himself? No! And you shouldn't either.

The truth is that these dogs don't pay attention to their disability (why should they, when it is just part of who they are); they readily accept the opportunities and fun that life has to offer; make the most of what they can do, instead of focusing on what they can't (humans do that for them enough); and, lastly, have more patience with themselves than we would in the same situation. They keep going and that's what people love about them. In actuality, we humans can learn a lot from these dogs.

Should you decide to adopt a dog with a disability, here are some tips:

For dogs with mobility impairments:

• Install ramps where ever there are stairs or where the dog may have trouble getting in and out
• Have food and water off the floor, so the dog doesn't have to bend

o Building an elevated stand for their food and water can easily rectify this
• Keep the floor free of obstacles
• Place baby gates in front of stairs or areas you don't want your dog to go

For dogs with hearing/visual impairments:

• Never leave the dog outside unattended, as they can wander off and hurt themselves
• Don't rearrange the furniture, as your blind dog uses this to help him navigate
• When waking a deaf dog, don't touch him. Instead, stamp your foot to create a vibration. This will wake him without surprising him
• Learn sign language and facial expressions as a way of communicating. Dogs have proven themselves to be remarkable at learning sign language. Indeed they cannot respond in return, but they have shown they comprehend the same commands dog owners verbally use with their hearing dogs.

There are other tips, for addressing other disabilities, but in general, as you can see, life may not be typical with one of these dogs, but it is more than doable, and that is the important part. It may be a little different at first, but you get used to it in time and forget that it isn't "normal". It is normal for Sniper and you as you roll out of the house for a good game of Frisbee.