Service dogs are trained to help their owner with their
particular disability, but they also do much more. They provide
the person with more independence and can help initiate social
interaction between the disabled person and others. Guide dogs
help blind and visually impaired people increase their mobility
and independence. They help lead people around obstacles, help
them cross the street, help them to go through doors, and to use
elevators and escalators. Their training starts when they are
young puppies. One excellent organization is the Guide Dog
Foundation, founded in 1946. This nationwide organization trains
and places Golden Retrievers and Labs when the puppies are about
seven weeks of age. The puppy is placed with a family and lives
with them for about a year. The family fosters the puppy, which
includes housetraining, socializing to different environments,
teaching the puppy good house manners, and giving him or her all
the attention and affection a healthy puppy needs. The puppy is
then given back