Resume For a Service Dog

BY ZIVA (The Wonder Dog)

GOAL:

Simply stated, my job is to make my person’s life easier by helping with daily tasks.

EXPERIENCE:

My training is extensive and I can help my person in many ways. I’m not as specialized as some of my peers, like seeing eye dogs or hearing specialists; however, my job is just as important. My duties involve helping with daily routine tasks such as:

Mobility assistance – I walk alongside my person’s wheelchair and stay close when they are able to walk to help them balance.
Alert function – I keep a watch for times my person seems anxious or has nightmares. While I don’t understand PTSD, I recognize the symptoms and help my person get through those feelings. I’m in-tune with my person’s emotions better than many people. I sense when things are not right, before the situation can get worse.
Pick-up function – This may seem like nothing, but picking up things that fall or bringing things to my person is a big help and I do it well. I can open the refrigerator and bring a bottle of water. I can help get laundry out of the dryer and put it on the bed or where it’s convenient. I can open drawers and doors for my person. I help them get up and down out of chairs and their bed. I cover my person with their blanket at naptime or at night and then go to my bed close by.
Asking for help – I’m trained to alert others when help is needed.
As a service dog, I go wherever my person goes – it’s the law (federal, in fact). I help my person be independent. All someone can ask is whether I’m a service dog and what services I provide; my person doesn’t need to have any papers to prove it.

EDUCATION:

I’m trained to stay focused on my person and the task at hand so that I can anticipate what my person needs and respond instantly. This was not easy to learn and I appreciate when we’re out that other people seem to know that I’m at work and don’t want to be petted or distracted.
I was in training for two years so that I’m classified as a fully trained service dog.It cost about $25,000 for all that training.
I learned not to be distracted by sudden noises and to keep my composure in any situation.
I’m certified as an AKC Canine Good Citizen and have passed my Assistance Dogs International Public Access test.

CHARACTERISTICS:

As a Labrador Retriever, I’m one of the typical dog breeds suited to be a service dog. My Golden Retriever buddies are also good service dogs. Some of us are bred from birth for this line of work; however, some are rescue dogs that have the characteristics to make good service dogs. We all need to be:

Calm natured (not easily distracted)
Alert but not reactive (no running off after squirrels while on the job)
Willing to please (I excel at pleasing my person; I hear it every day.)
Need to be with my person – I stay close always – that’s my job
Socialized – I can go with the flow with the best of them and adapt to any environment
Trained easily and remember – once I learn something, it’s learned

HOBBIES:

I’m off duty when my harness and collar come off. I love to do things all dogs like:

Fetch – gotta catch that ball and bring it back. I don’t think my person realizes what good exercise this is for them and for me; let’s keep this a secret, ok?
Run – my yard is fenced so I can run, run, run all I want. I patrol the perimeter every chance I get to make sure no other animals invade my space. Believe me, they hear me coming when I decide to bark a warning.
Chill – when I relax, I relax all over – nothing like a good long stretch. Give me my blanket or a soft pillow and I’m out for the count. My doggy dreams are fantastical escapades of daring and victorious adventures.

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