At Your Service
	
Most dogs are companion animals, but some are more than just pets. Service dogs help people of all ages in many ways all over the world. They assist the blind, the deaf and the disabled. They work with police, security and the military. Service dogs respond to emergencies, search for the missing and rescue the injured. Therapy dogs aid people in hospitals and nursing homes. 

Dogs come from the wolf family, nature's best hunters. Dogs first came to live with humans about 15,000 years ago. The first working dogs helped people hunt food. As people trained dogs to do other jobs, they protected homes from enemies and livestock from predators. Dogs carried heavy loads. Later, people bred dogs to meet their needs. Dogs were bred for their size, strength, alertness and ability to obey commands.

A dog's sense of smell is thousands of times stronger than a human's. Detection dogs use their sense of smell to locate hidden items. Their ultra-sensitive noses can protect people from danger. Detection dogs work with airport security, customs, military, and law enforcement officials to keep people safe. 

Calm, gentle dogs are trained as therapy dogs. They receive certification to work in hospitals, schools, and nursing homes. They visit children, the sick, and the elderly. Therapy dogs help people forget their troubles. They make them feel better, which helps them get well. Therapy dogs serve as companions to those who are afraid, upset, sad, and lonely or just need a hug from a furry friend.









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