All dogs are loyal and friendly. If they know the people they’re dealing with, dogs will go the extra mile to ensure that those in their company are safe and happy. Majority of our pets are trained to take walks outside in the backyard or stroll around the park while his/her owner sits on the bench. We understand that even if they go a little too far, they know to return.
But, service dogs are a little bit different. They’re trained to never leave their owner’s side, mainly because their human suffers from an illness that leads them to require assistance at any time. Service dogs are trained to help those in need from the time that they are puppies, and their instincts are a lot stronger than your average pet dog.
20-year-old Tessa Connaughton was out shopping at the grocery store one day when she fell face-first on the floor. Her service dog, Raider, knew what to do almost immediately.
Tessa got Raider three years ago to help her with her seizures and bouts of autism. One of the ways the pup helps Tessa is by laying on top of her when she needs that extra pressure for her condition. Not only does Raider know how to help his owner feel better, but he was recently trained to also get the attention of others around him, for the times that Tessa needs emergency personnel.
Tessa was picking up coffee creamer and sweetener when she fell to the floor that day. Raider instantly sought out the closest human possible, another shopper who was also doing her groceries. Raider was nudging the woman and trying to get her attention, but she just kept swatting him away.
It was after this incident that Tessa wrote a response to what had happened that day at the grocery store. She advised the community that it’s not safe to ignore a service dog, who is walking around without his/her owner because that typically means the owner is down somewhere and needs help.
This story serves as a great reminder to always watch for your surroundings. The next time you see a service dog all alone, take the time to follow him/her. This tactic can help save someone’s life.
The video below shows just how intelligent service dogs can be. The owner recorded how her dog protects her head while she’s having a seizure. It’s worth a watch!
