Changing Lives One Dog At A Time
Recognising Rights, Breaking Barriers As we celebrate International Assistance Dog Week, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the life-changing impact of assistance dogs—and the importance of ensuring they are granted the access they are legally and ethically entitled to. At Service…
At Smart Service Dog, our mission goes beyond basic obedience—we’re committed to training dogs that can change lives. That mission starts early. One of the most important steps in a service dog’s journey happens in their first year: safe, intentional…
Is your student or client ready for the guide dog lifestyle? This handy checklist can help determine if a person is a good candidate for working with a guide dog. Motivational Readiness Psychological, Cognitive, and Emotional Readiness Physical Readiness Environmental…
Partners for Independent Travel At Smart Service Dog – Dog Guides we are proud to partner with professionals in the field of blindness, including: Your services are an essential part of preparing individuals who are blind or visually impaired to be…
Our dogs are extremely important parts of our daily lives. They follow our commands, work with us in various capacities, and act as faithful companions. Studies have shown that dogs provide health benefits. Service dogs have these abilities, combined with training to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. During the last decade,…
Guide dogs assist many people who are blind and vision impaired: Am I eligible for a guide dog? Eligibility requirements vary between each Guide Dog organisation. For a guide dog to be of benefit to you, you may be: Not…
The Smart Service Dogs – Guide Dogs-Difference Smart Service Dogs – Guide Dogs – knows that every person who is blind is different from the next. So are we. We create a special partnership between each student and their dog…
You’ve probably heard the term “fake” service dog, and it’s a topic that sparks a lot of debate. Many people, including businesses and individuals, have expressed frustration over these so-called “fake” dogs, particularly when they cause disruptions in stores and…
A topic that is often misunderstood is the definition and role of a service dog, particularly when terms like Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) and psychiatric service dogs are introduced. The terminology can become quite confusing, especially when trying to navigate…
In the service dog community, the term “public access” refers to a dog’s ability to enter places that typically do not allow pets. A dog without public access rights may accompany their handler to locations like a pet store or…