Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Resources
Episode 76 Resources: United Disabilities Services (UDS) Service Dogs Training Program
Recording & Transcripts
Soundcloud
Transcripts
- Interactive Transcript for ADA Live! Episode 76
Web: bit.ly/adalive76-captioning - Episode 76 Transcript (PDF file)
Speakers:
Kristina Smith and Lori Breece, United Disabilities Services (UDS) Service Dogs Training Program
Description
Service animals seems to be in the news a lot lately and there is a great deal of information available about the rights of individuals with disabilities to have service animals in public. Service animals can make a significant difference in the quality of life of people with disabilities. They can help make the world more accessible by assisting with mobility and orientation, balance, retrieving, sensing medical conditions, and much more.
On this episode of ADA Live! we take a closer look at how these important animals are trained. Stephen Kuusisto, Syracuse University Professor and Director of Interdisciplinary Programs and Outreach with the Burton Blatt Institute and author of the book Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey; Lori Breece, Program Manager, & Kristina Smith, Program Coordinator, with United Disabilities Services (UDS) Service Dog Training Program will discuss the important work of training service dogs. We will learn about the fascinating and extensive work that is needed to train a dog to be a service animal, the types of breeds typically used, how dogs and potential clients are matched, and much more.
Featured Organization
United Disabilities Services (UDS) Service Dogs Training Program
United Disability Services, also known as UDS, is a nonprofit organization based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They’re committed to helping people with disabilities lead more independent and fulfilling lives. In over 50 years, UDS has developed a wide variety of services and programs that improve the quality of life and expand boundaries. One of the services provided by UDS is a service dog training program. UDS service dogs are trained from pups for over two years by a team of dedicated volunteers and professionals. The dogs are trained to obey and assist. These loving dogs help with daily tasks such as opening and closing doors, turning lights on and off, picking something up off the floor, balance, retrieving, and delivering, even getting something out of the refrigerator. Clients participate in one on one trainings as well as group training sessions. For more information about the United Disability Service dogs and the Service Dogs Training Program, please visit udservices.org.