[nagdu] Guide Dogs for the Mind

Tue Feb 21 14:12:35 UTC 2012

Possibly, the dog food would be in an automatic dispensing device on a 
timer.  The water boll could also have a reservoir it refills from.

To go out to releave it could have a doggy door.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs for the Mind

> Okay, I'm all for any sort of service dog that can help with any sort of 
> disabling condition. I think we've barely scratched the surface of what 
> dogs can be taught to do.
>
> But...there is one serious concern I have with this project.  If the 
> individuals cannot remember to take their medications, how are they going 
> to remember to give their dog, food, water, let the dog out to relieve or 
> give the dog his medication if the need should arise?
>
> Julie
>
>
>
>
> On 2/21/2012 7:37 AM, Steven Johnson wrote:
>> Guide dogs for the mind: The retrievers being trained to give dementia 
>> sufferers a new life
>>
>> By George Arbuthnott
>>
>>
>>
>> First there were guide dogs for the blind, then hearing dogs for the 
>> deaf. Now man’s best friend could help to care for people suffering from 
>> dementia.
>>
>> Golden retrievers and labradors are being taught to remind people to take 
>> their tablets, raise the alarm in an emergency, assist with undressing 
>> and help out around the home.
>>
>> Under the ‘Dementia Dog’ project the animals are trained to respond to an 
>> alarm that goes off whenever a person who is struggling with memory loss 
>> needs to take medication.
>>
>>   The dogs will be taught to help people undress by gently pulling on 
>> gloves, socks and sleeves
>>
>> The dog then clenches its mouth around the medicine, stored in a 
>> bite-proof bag, and carries it to the sufferer.
>>
>> Animals can also be taught to recognise a specific movement that their 
>> owner would make when in distress.
>>
>> The dog would then either press an emergency button on a telephone or 
>> bark loudly to raise the alarm.
>>
>> And dogs can learn to open cupboards, drawers, fridges and washing 
>> machines, flick light switches, and even help people suffering from 
>> dementia to undress.
>>
>> Experts say the animals can be trained to carry out any task that 
>> requires a pulling motion. So if a short rope is attached to a cupboard 
>> door, the dog can open it.
>>
>> When it comes to helping with undressing, the dogs are trained to pull at 
>> the sleeve of a coat or tug off socks.
>>
>> So far the project has been given £52,000 of Government funding, but 
>> needs to raise a further £130,000 to launch a pilot scheme later this 
>> year.
>>
>> Eventually, it is hoped the initiative will allow many more of the 
>> 750,000 Britons who suffer from dementia to retain their independence for 
>> longer.
>>
>> The dogs will undergo a six-month training programme using ‘positive 
>> reinforcement’, which means that whenever they complete a task correctly, 
>> they get a treat.
>>
>> If the scheme, developed by voluntary organisation Alzheimer Scotland, 
>> gains funding, it will be the first time that dogs have been used to 
>> assist those with dementia.
>>
>>   A piece of string can be attached to handles so that doors and 
>> cupboards can be opened
>>
>> The organisation’s deputy director, Joyce Gray, said: ‘We are really 
>> hopeful the dogs will not only be a huge practical help but also provide 
>> great emotional support.
>>
>> ‘People with the condition can easily become isolated and the dog will be 
>> a constant companion, which will help them to keep social.’
>>
>> Sufferers of early-stage dementia are now being urged to suggest other 
>> ways the dogs could improve their lives.
>>
>> The feedback will be incorporated into the pilot scheme once the funding 
>> is raised.
>>
>> Four students at Glasgow School of Art came up with the idea after 
>> Alzheimer Scotland challenged the college to suggest an innovative way to 
>> improve the lives of dementia sufferers.
>>
>> The concept was pitched to the Design Council, which in partnership with 
>> the Department of  Health was offering funding for projects that helped 
>> those with early-stage dementia.
>>
>> The Dementia Dogs scheme has now gained the backing of charities Dogs For 
>> The Disabled and Guide Dogs, which already provide dogs with similar 
>> skills to help those with physical disabilities.
>>
>> The number of people with dementia is set to hit one million by 2021 and 
>> 1.7 million by 2050. It is believed that six out of ten of those with the 
>> condition are undiagnosed.
>>
>> Sufferers of dementia and their relatives are urged to suggest ways that 
>> dogs could help them via the website dementiadog.org.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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