I am going to talk about sets of animals today
Service dogs and assistance dogs
Have you heard of these before?
Have you seen any of them before?
Or clearly drawn the line of distinction between them?
In my simple understanding, a service dog is one that is actively serving in the forces or formerly did…..army, police and or the prisons
They are part of the team
They get sent in to calm down the situation their way
They are a military officer, in their own way
With a name, service number and everything else
About the time they get retired or rested back into civilian life, I don’t know honestly
Perhaps, our army buddies can help us on this one
Most preferably, those that have served with their four-legged comrades
Come to assistance dogs,
They are much more common in the settings or environments of mental health
Many times, you will notice them being held onto by somebody or their principal by a leash
Where their principal goes is where they go basically
With or without their leash
On one occasion, you might notice their principal struggling in the moment
With their face in their hands, breaking down and this darling of an animal moves up to them rocking their head against the face of their principal or under their jaw or licking their face in a bid to soothe them of their pain
Others may jump into the lap or clasp of their principal for a hug
Others, during a sudden epileptic attack on their principal, manage to plunge under the neck of their principal and be the soft landing and cushion needed in the moment
Some others may simply be the eyes of their principal in cases of differently-abled principals as they walk around
Others are simply companions to their principals…in everyday life….just like any other person would be to you!
So, next time you meet one of these, don’t hesitate to say “hi”.