Life can be very difficult for those with a disability. Getting around, whether it is the grocery store, a restaurant, or just to and from work, can be a daily challenge for those who are blind, deaf, or have a debilitating medical condition. For some diseases, there is a very limited amount of help that doctors can provide; patients have to deal with their disease as best they can.

Fortunately, help is available for many disabled people in the form of service dogs. These specially trained dogs are available for those who need help on a daily basis. There are different types of assistance dogs, all trained to help people with specific medical problems. Perhaps the most well-known are seeing eye dogs, those that help the blind. Many people have probably seen such a dog at some point, a Labrador retriever and her person waiting to cross a street, the dog patiently watching the cars, waiting for the light to turn. These dogs are an invaluable companion for blind people, giving them a level of independence and confidence they would not otherwise have.

True, the blind can rely on human friends or paid companions to assist them, but service dogs allow them to be independent, to commute to work with less worry about accidents. Much as seeing eye dogs sees for their owners, hearing dogs hear for theirs, alerting them to noises that could spell danger. While not being able to hear might not be quite as hazardous as not being able to see, it is helpful nonetheless for a deaf person to have an assistance dog.

Service dogs are most commonly Labrador retrievers, for several reasons. Labs are prized for their calm personalities, an eagerness to please their owner, their intelligence, and desire to work. Originally breed as working dogs and still used by many to hunt, these are one breed that are happier when they have a job to do. They are smarter than many other types of dog and can be trained in many ways with the proper attention. And while they are as energetic as any puppy, labs grow into calm, even-tempered dogs. All these factors make them ideal for training as assistance dogs.

Other breeds are being more widely used, such as German Shepherds, and of course any trainable dog with a suitable temperament can be used. One minor drawback of these animals is that they are animals, and as such require some care. Dogs have to be fed daily and should be groomed on a regular basis. For many types of dogs, this is as simple as brushing them once a week. And of course there are expenses like food and vet bills. Still, for those who want to retain a degree of independence, a service dog is a good option.