Service Dogs Improve Quality of Life For Patients

With the help of friends and family many Alzheimer's and dementia patients can continue to live at home where they are most comfortable and things are familiar. And for the past few years man’s best friend has lent a hand. Or a paw.

Service dogs, originally trained to assist the blind or visually impaired, are now helping patients with epilepsy, depression, hearing impaired and many more conditions.

An article in the Coshocton Tribune in Coshocton, Ohio, highlights the story of Rick Phelps. An early onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis when he was just 59 meant anxiety, depression, and thoughts of a long downhill slide into dementia.  He began to withdraw from his friends and family, including his wife, Phyllis.

To bring himself back to a normal life he started a Facebook page, called Memory People, that now has over 2,500 members across the globe. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, their families, other caregivers and advocates post information and support to assist other sufferers.

While researching an inquiry for a Memory People member Phelps learned of DogWish, a training facility in California, that offers service dogs for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. He posted information for DogWish and the very next day he was contacted by the owner/trainer Bob Taylor.

An anonymous donor had offered the $8,000 needed to get Phelps his own service dog.

Now Phelps and Sam the service dog are together 24 hours a day. Sam alerts Phelps if he leaves the stove on, forgets to take his medication, and can even find his Jeep in a crowded parking lot simply by smell.

If Phelps were to become lost Sam can track him up to 40 miles away and bring him home or alert authorities.

But the biggest gift that Sam gives Rick is the courage and love to continue to live a life surrounded by people. He can go to Wal Mart without the anxiety he used to feel being in a crowd. He’s been to a local water park with his grandchildren, Sam at his side, and was able to enjoy himself. Sam has given Rick his life back.

His wife, Phyllis, is also comforted by the knowledge that when she goes to work each day Sam will look after her husband. It’s also a huge relief to know that Sam makes Rick happy.

DogWish trains and places certified Service Dogs for those with Autism & Asperger’s Syndrome, Seizures, Alzheimer’s Disease, Anxiety, Depression, PTSD, and other neurological disorders and/or special needs.