HELPFUL ANIMALS

Animal Helpers

1 Animals can be trained to assist humans with everyday needs and be valuable companions. Even animals you might not expect can be trained to assist humans.

2 One example is the miniature horse. Miniature horses usually live to be thirty years old, much longer than an assistance dog. This is important because owners often bond with their helper animals. Over time, the helper animal becomes a close companion. These horses are strong enough to allow their human companions to lean on them for physical support. Miniature horses are also easy to train and are very gentle. As an added bonus, they also have excellent eyesight.

3 Ferrets can also help people with disabilities. They are especially helpful to people who have seizures. Seizures happen when the brain stops working correctly. People lose the ability to think or even use their muscles when they have seizures. This can be dangerous because the person can get hurt while his or her body is out of control. Some seizures can even cause damage to the brain. For reasons scientists don’t understand, some ferrets can sense when a person is going to have a seizure. These ferrets give their owners warning by trying to get their attention. Some seizure patients have said their ferrets look unhappy when trying to give this warning. The owner can then take medicine so the seizure doesn’t happen. If taking medicine is not an option, the owner can get to a safe place before the seizure happens.

4 Some people have problems with movement. Some can’t use their hands properly. Others can’t walk from place to place. These people can also get help from animals. Monkeys are sometimes used for this purpose. There are many different monkey species, but the capuchin is the most common helper animal. The capuchin monkey can do many things for its owner. For example, it can open doors and cabinets. A capuchin monkey may carry things or bring items to its owner.

5 Dogs are the most common type of service animal. They can be trained to perform certain tasks to help people with disabilities. Dogs can learn to pick up dropped items and to open and close doors. They can turn on and off lights and carry and retrieve objects. They can be used as guide dogs for people with sight problems. They can even be trained to listen for a door bell or a fire alarm and warn their owners who have difficulty with their hearing.

6 Service animals can help people live a better life, and humans are grateful for their help. However, these animals are just serving the purpose they were meant to serve and nothing more.

Military and Police Force Animals

1 Animals have been part of the military for hundreds of years. Dogs and horses have served as animal soldiers in times of war. They have also been trained to play an important role on a police force. Four-Legged Fighters

2 Military working dogs have also completed missions under terrible conditions. One of these brave dogs was Buster. Buster served as a Messenger War Dog during World War II. Buster carried messages through heavy machine gun fire during a battle on Morotai Island. Buster carried messages telling troops to hold their position. The soldiers got the extra help they needed, and Buster’s actions saved seventeen men. His bravery also helped the U.S. defeat the Japanese in that battle.

3 Military working dogs are still used today. A military working dog was a fundamental part of raiding Osama Bin Laden’s hideout in 2011. In 2012, the U.S. Congress passed two bills to help the treatment of these dogs once their work overseas is completed. In the past, the military classified military working dogs as equipment, and they were left behind once a mission was complete. These new bills reclassify the dogs as “canine members of the Armed Forces,” which means the dogs will be brought home and adopted by new families as part of their “retirement” from the military.

4 Horses have also been used by the military during wars. Reckless was a horse so heroic during the Korean War in the 1950s that she was promoted to Sergeant by the U.S. Marines. She was trained to step over communication lines and to get down when there was incoming fire. She also learned to ignore the sounds of battle. After just a couple of trips, she learned the routes to deliver supplies to the troops on her own. In one day, Reckless made 51 trips to carry supplies and ammunition to soldiers on the front lines. She became the marines’ mascot and was allowed to roam freely through the camp. She even was allowed to come inside the soldiers’ tents to sleep on cold nights. After the war ended, Reckless was awarded two Purple Hearts and a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Team Players

5 Dogs and horses also have been trained to work with law enforcement. Police dogs are often called K-9s, and the most common breed used is the German Shepherd. These dogs have a keen sense of smell. They can be trained to sniff out drugs and explosive materials. They are also used to search and find missing people or objects. They protect police officers and often help with crowd control. They also make good guard dogs. Police who patrol on horseback are called the mounted police. These horses are trained to keep order during major events. They learn to move through crowds and in heavy traffic and learn not to react to loud noises. Some are used for park patrol through wooded areas. Since horses can travel where vehicles cannot, they are used for search missions through rugged areas.

6 Over the years, working dogs and horses have played an important role in the military and on police forces. They have even helped save many human lives. These animals were able to get the job done during difficult times. They have been honored as important members of our military and police forces.