This presentation aims to showcase the diverse and life-changing roles of service animals. A panel of service animal handlers and users will highlight various types of service animals, including dogs who guide individuals who are blind or have low vision, dogs for the individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, service animals for individuals in wheelchairs, those with PTSD, and individuals with autism.
Panelists will include individuals with disabilities, as well as parents. Many will be accompanied by their service animal.
Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the panel, the audience will have a deeper understanding of how service animals improve the lives of people with disabilities.
- By the end of this session, attendees will have a deeper understanding about the level of training and commitment required to make these animals effective helpers.
Speaker(s)
Brett Turek with Zip (Black Lab), Justin Simonini with Faye (Golden retriever and Labrador retriever cross), Karen Hughes with Nala (Yellow Lab), Kara Swierz with either Eros (Golden/Lab Mix) or Amos (Golden/Lab Mix), in training), Michelle Gray, Rhys Gray with Jyla (Yellow Lab), Tzipporah Anderson with Miguel (Lab-Golden cross)