HSE101_ Week 4-2_ Discussion_ Post 17

Back in World War I, many soldiers were wounded from exposure to gas, explosions, or

experienced shell shock. When these men came home, day-to-day life was difficult for them.

Some of these men ended up blind or experienced severe PTSD. Life was not normal for these

soldiers any longer. In 1914, The German Red Cross Ambulance Dogs Association built a

training center in Oldenburg. The first guide dog was given to a blind veteran, Paul Feyen in

1916 (History of guide dogs, 2021). After society saw the benefits of guide dogs the

organization saw improvements. Within one year 539 dogs had been partnered with a person

in need. The International Guide Dog Federation now funds 14 guide dog facilities and more

than 10,000 training teams across the U.S (History of guide dogs, 2021). Since then, guide

dogs have become a part of our community.

In 1982, Southeastern Guide Dogs began changing lives. This organization started out in a

shed with one trainer, a pickup truck, and three dogs. Southeastern Guide Dogs is the worlds'

leading guide dog training facility in the world. Guide dog services allow for people with

vision loss, who need emotional support, veterans with disabilities, and children who face

challenges to have a partner to assist them in their everyday lives (Southeastern Guide Dogs,

2022). This agency has combined all styles of training, veterinary, and breeding practices, to

create the best service animals for people with disabilities. Researchers develop new ways to

safely breed the healthiest animals, trainers work with the animals and families to create a

bond, and volunteers work directly with the families to find the best fit and answer all

questions. Similar to most human service agencies, guide dog organizations also need to have

fluent collaboration between all positions.

Guide dog agencies wanted their animals to be treated the same as the person they are helping.

The animal should be allowed wherever the owner is, in order to assist them properly. In 1990,

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a law was implemented to allow service

animals to accompany an individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where

customers are normally allowed to go (ADA National Network, 2022). This also means a

person with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers. The guide animal

will be allowed on almost all premises without any fee or deposit at a place of residence.

Businesses that advertised no pets allowed had to change their rules and adhere to the new

policy. These businesses could face legal repercussions if they did not follow the new

regulations. Emotional support animals that are prescribed also cannot face restrictions in

housing situations and are allowed to live in their partners’ homes at no cost. Overall, the

mission of the service dog organization is to provide a free service to help people who struggle

with daily tasks, at no cost. Through various sponsors, charities, and volunteers, the

Southeastern Guide Dogs Facility, and other similar agencies can stay supported.

Human service industries often must work to provide services at no cost. Most of the

organizations are also supported by government agencies, however, service animals are not.

Within the human service industry, there are always rules and laws changing. It is difficult to

keep up with the alterations and ensure that regulations are being implemented. Each branch

of the human service industry has to experience these changes and act accordingly. Society

and the community may not always be supportive but human service agencies focus on

benefiting people.