[nagdu] Guide Dogs for the Mind

Tue Feb 21 14:47:20 UTC 2012

Cindy,

Does something like that exist? It could possibly be a fun design project 
for one of my engineering classes.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide Dogs for the Mind

> YHou really can't technologize everything though. Sounds interesting 
> enough. Reminds me of the story, "There Will Come Soft Rains."
>
> Cindy
>
> On Feb 21, 2012, at 8:12 AM, Mark J. Cadigan wrote:
>
>> 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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>>
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>
>
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