Activities For Dogs With a Disability
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Introduction
Owning a dog with a disability is a privilege and one that you as an owner should be immensely proud of. Unfortunately, there are some dog “lovers” who choose dogs specifically for their looks or breeds. These are the same people who neglect dogs who may have some disabilities or impairments. Dogs get their disability either at birth or after experiencing a certain tragedy. In truth, disabled dogs are no different from normal ones. Some of these dogs are even friendlier and more loving by nature, even with their condition. If you have a disabled dog, do not fret. There are lots of activities that you can do enjoy with your dog despite their conditions.
Animal-assisted Activities
Animal-assisted activities refer to formal treatment programs involving the use of pets, including dogs, to aid those with special needs. After all, who better to help those with disabilities than a disabled dog as well? Animal-assisted activities are a great opportunity to get your dog involved in a cause that matters and help others feel better in their own way. Additionally, your dog gets a chance to interact and meet new people and to socialize. Usually, these animal-assisted activities require some sort of training, which comes at a moderate fee. There are many opportunities for you and your dog to join a cause that is close to your heart.
Biking
Biking is a fun human activity that can be made more enjoyable with the company of a dog. For disabled dogs, this is a great chance to explore the outdoors without having to exert too much effort, especially given their condition. There are variations to this activity, depending on how big your dog is. If you have a small dog, a small harness attached to your body is a good way to carry your dog around. Some dog owners also opt for bicycle trailers attached to their bike. This enables the dog to sit freely while being pulled around for a ride by their owners. You can even use this as an activity as an excuse to bring your dog along when going to various places.
Nature Hiking
Nature hiking is a great activity that nearly all types of dogs can enjoy, even ones with disabilities. This is because the primary sense used by dogs is their sense of smell. Regardless of age and disability, their smelling senses are always stimulated, especially scents found in nature. By going on a hike outdoors, you give your disabled the chance to smell things that are new to their scent. This will excite them and will do a lot of good to their emotional health as well as overall mood. In addition, hiking is a great way to exercise and keep those joints healthy, not just for your dog but also for you.
More Fun Ideas...
Drive-in movie
A drive-in movie is the perfect place to enjoy a flick with your dog. Since drive-in movies are outdoors, there are no restrictions when it comes to bringing pets. Moreover, your disabled dog can simply sit back, relax and enjoy the show with you. Just make sure you have food and water for you and your dog and that you clean up after yourselves once the movie is over.
Dog park
Dog parks are a doggy’s heaven. Disabled or not, dogs usually enjoy visits to the park. In here, they not only get to be off leash, they also encounter other dogs of all breeds. Furthermore, when in a dog park, your disabled dog is treated equally with the rest of the dogs.
Conclusion
All dogs deserve love and care from a human; having a disability should not be a basis for enjoying new things. Disabled dogs are just like any regular dog, maybe even better, and they should be given the chance to enjoy activities even under the circumstances. Hopefully, these activity ideas will help you show your dog that there are no limits to what they can do.