Cirrus@Austlit

'Next Door’s Dog Has A Job Picture book provides age appropriate information for young children, including:

• Disabilities can be diverse and invisible
• Assistance Dogs come in many shapes and sizes
• Assistance Dogs help people in a variety of ways, and
• There is an appropriate code of behavior around a working Assistance Dog. Assistance Dogs are highly trained dogs that assist their human companions in a number of ways.

'These include, but are not limited to, providing assistance to those with vision, hearing and mobility impairments, epilepsy, autism and mental health conditions including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and anxiety. The times when only Labradors and Retrievers were trained for this role have long passed, and many breeds are now used. Most of us are aware of teaching children to be “dog smart” and not approach unknown dogs in any situation. However the novelty of seeing a dog in a supermarket, restaurant or other public place where that may not be the norm can be a fascinating attraction to a young child. 

'Children should be aware of the physical or emotional difficulty that may be imposed on the dog’s handler when the dog is distracted. Discuss with the child the importance of the work these dogs perform as a team with their human companions. Emphasise that the relationship between dog and handler is a two way one, and that the dog is not just doing a job but is a highly valued, much loved and well cared for family member. This lovely illustrated book gives the reader a journey of the dog next door and his job.'  (Publication summary)