Which dog was the first to be trained as a service dog?

The first dog to be trained as a service dog is widely believed to be a German Shepherd named Buddy, who was trained in the 1920s to assist a visually impaired woman named Dorothy Harrison Eustis. Dorothy was an American dog trainer living in Switzerland, where she worked with German Shepherds for various purposes, including police and military work. Her experience with these highly trainable dogs led her to explore their potential for assisting individuals with disabilities.

Dorothy was inspired to train Buddy as a guide dog after observing a program in Germany where dogs were trained to assist veterans who had lost their sight during World War I. This program, initiated by Dr. Gerhard Stalling, was one of the earliest organized efforts to use dogs as service animals. Dorothy recognized the potential of this concept and decided to bring it to the United States. She wrote an article about the German program, which was published in The Saturday Evening Post in 1927. This article caught the attention of Morris Frank, a young blind man from Tennessee, who reached out to Dorothy for help.

Dorothy agreed to train a dog for Morris, and she selected Buddy, a female German Shepherd, for this purpose. Buddy underwent extensive training to guide Morris safely through various environments, including busy streets and public spaces. In 1928, Morris and Buddy returned to the United States, where they demonstrated the effectiveness of guide dogs to the public. This marked the beginning of the guide dog movement in America.

The success of Buddy and Morris led Dorothy to establish The Seeing Eye, the first guide dog school in the United States, in 1929. The Seeing Eye continues to operate today and has trained thousands of guide dogs for individuals with visual impairments. Buddy's training and the establishment of The Seeing Eye laid the foundation for the modern service dog industry, which now includes dogs trained to assist individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, hearing loss, and medical conditions like diabetes and epilepsy.

Service dogs today are trained to perform specific tasks that mitigate their handler's disability. For example, guide dogs help visually impaired individuals navigate their environment, while hearing dogs alert deaf individuals to important sounds. Mobility assistance dogs can retrieve items, open doors, and provide stability for individuals with physical disabilities. Medical alert dogs are trained to detect changes in their handler's body chemistry, such as blood sugar levels or the onset of a seizure, and alert them or others to take action.

Training a service dog is a complex and time-intensive process that typically takes 18 to 24 months. It involves socialization, obedience training, and task-specific training tailored to the needs of the individual the dog will assist. Organizations that train service dogs often use breeds known for their intelligence, temperament, and work ethic, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and German Shepherds. However, any breed or mixed breed with the right characteristics can potentially become a service dog.

It is important to note that not all dogs are suited to be service dogs. The selection process is rigorous, and only dogs that demonstrate the necessary temperament, intelligence, and physical ability are chosen for training. Additionally, service dogs must be well-behaved in public and able to remain focused on their tasks despite distractions.

For individuals considering a service dog, it is essential to work with a reputable organization that follows ethical training practices and adheres to the standards set by organizations like Assistance Dogs International (ADI). ADI accredits service dog programs worldwide and ensures that they meet high standards of training and care.

In conclusion, Buddy the German Shepherd was the first dog to be formally trained as a service dog in the United States, paving the way for the development of the service dog industry. Her work with Morris Frank demonstrated the life-changing impact that service dogs can have on individuals with disabilities. Today, service dogs continue to provide invaluable assistance to people with a wide range of needs, thanks to the pioneering efforts of Dorothy Harrison Eustis, Morris Frank, and Buddy.