Helping Others?

How have Golden Retrievers helped others? What have they done to help others?

Response from Golden-Retriever-Magic:

What an excellent question!

Golden Retrievers have done quite a bit to help us humans. Many of you may know that they are one of a very select breed who work as seeing eye dogs. This is such an important task as it gives tremendous functionality to a blind person.

Also, Goldens are therapy dogs who often visit and cheer up patients in nursing homes, children's facilities, hospice care, AIDS wards and the like. This type of therapy work is possibly the most rewarding of all community activities for the patient, the Golden owner and of course, the Golden herself.

Goldens also have helped in disaster aid. They have done significant search-and-rescue work through the ARDA (American Rescue Dog Association).

Further, Goldens help to physically aid those that have mobility limitations. In addition to being guides (such as seeing eye dogs), they can pull wheelchairs, open doors, be the ears for the hearing impaired, and the list goes on and on...

People are also trying to train Goldens as dogs that can warn when someone is about to have a seizure.

Finally, though there are many specialized ways Goldens help humans (some are noted above), perhaps the simplest way they help is by providing their undying devotion and companionship. Studies have shown that dog-owners tend to have lower rates of depression and less high blood pressure issues.

We would love to hear what others have to say on this topic as well. Please feel free to jump in!