Welfare Issues with Assistance Dogs Flashcards
State a negative welfare issue with the equipment used to allow assistance dogs to perform their tasks
Any weight bearing harnesses (such as mobility/guide harnesses) may cause skeletal/nerve damage to the dogs’ back & limbs - due to prolonged weight baring
How could the nervous & skeletal damage be prevented or limited when using a mobility dog?
Minimise full weight baring on the dog & provide calcium & joint supplements to strengthen bones
State a positive welfare issue with the equipment used to allow assistance dogs to perform their tasks
Marked vests/guide harnesses allow dogs to exhibit their natural behaviour patterns (such as scenting) without any disruption from the public
Why does a minimisation of public interference improve the welfare of assistance dogs?
The dog is able to complete its specific jobs; which it enjoys doing - and will be enriched from the interactions with its handler & its utilisation of its instincts/genetics
State a negative welfare issue with the pairing of assistance dogs with their handlers
Dogs may be given to inexperienced or unsuitable handlers
Why is the pairing of assistance dogs with inexperienced or unsuitable handlers significant?
Dogs may be neglected (whether intentionally or not) and harmed (whether intentionally or not) as a result of their inexperience and their lack of knowledge on how to properly care for their dog
State a positive welfare issue with the pairing of assistance dogs & their handlers
Dogs can provide independence and drastically improve their handler’s quality of life; due to their taught tasks allowing their handler to live a normal life
Why is it important that assistance dogs provide independence and improve the quality of life of their handlers?
It shows that these dogs can make significant changes and improve the handler’s mental health & physical health
