Why do we say that a dog is a human’s best friend? There is no one answer. But here are some of the possible reasons:
- Dogs are loyal and do not judge us when we make mistakes.
- Dogs tend to come when we call and and are there when we need them.
- Dogs play with us when we are bored and keep us entertained.
- Dogs provide quiet companionship as we go through our day.
- Dogs give us a reason to get out of the house and focus on something other than ourselves.
We love our dogs. It is love at first sight. They immediately become a part of the family. It is hard to imagine having a canine companion that was not also a best friend. They are so good at the roll that it is hard to imagine them as anything else.
That is where imagination breaks down. Dogs can be so much more than best friends. They have other jobs they can perform, many other jobs. With the right training, here is what your next best friend can become:
Hunting and Herding
City dwellers have a hard time relating to lifestyles that include hunting and herding. But not everyone sources their next meal from the supermarket. They herd it, grow it, hunt it, and process it themselves. While this may be a good and honest approach to food, it is also a lot of hard work.
Dogs are not just companions in these settings. They are an important part of the staff. They even get specialized equipment such as the Garmin Pro 550+ dog training & tracking system. While features vary from company to company, Many similar systems can be found because the work these dogs do is indispensable.
These noble creatures are trained from birth for the work nature formed them to do. Scent hounds and retrievers are happiest when they are using their natural gifts. Because they range far from home base, be sure to provide some sort of tracking system so you can always know where they are.
Yes and Ears
Dogs outdo us in the eyes and ears department almost every time. In some cases, dogs have to substitute for our eyes and ears when they fail us. A guide dog provides a safer, more independent mobility experience to the blind and visually impaired. While hearing dogs alert handlers to important sounds such as smoke alarms, and doorbells.
Dogs with an accessibility focus are rare and expensive. Not every dog is suitable for being a guide dog. Animals are bred, groomed, and selected for special training. It takes a long time and a lot of work to get them ready. Once the dog is ready, the handler has to be trained.
The relationship between trainer, dog, and handler is a delicate one. Best friend is a secondary description for these dogs. They have an important job to do that is often a matter of life and death. There is little room for sentimentality in this relationship. Dogs that wash out of the program become companion dogs. But only the best of the best get to wear the uniform.
Emotional Support
There is little wonder that an animal known as a human’s best friend could be useful in the capacity of an emotional support companion. A dog is your best friend through difficult times. Sometimes, those difficult times are of the clinical variety.
Depression is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It tracks across every demographic. It claims victims from the religious to the wealthy, the well-educated to the well-connected, to the people with the unwavering support of family and friends. For all these people and more, emotional support dogs make a difference.
A dog does not have to go through any special training to be classified as an emotional support animal (ESA). However, the handler does have to be classified as disabled.
It is highly unlikely that your human best friend is also a staffer on your hunting and hearing team, your eyes and ears when yours fails, and your emotional support. But if your best friend happens to be your dog, they could be any of these things, and so much more.
