Why Dogs Truly Are Man's Best Friend

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Dogs have been great companions to humans for almost as long as there have been humans. This relationship has grown over time as we moved on from using them to help us hunt in prehistoric times all the way up to the present day, where dogs are used in so many different fields that it will surprise you just how much they continue to serve us faithfully every day. While perhaps the best aspect of dogs is the joy they provide to hundreds of millions of people each day simply through their companionship, there are some things dogs do that deserve wider recognition.

Bomb Detection 

While perhaps overshadowed by their more famous brothers in the drug detection department, bomb detection dogs are vital to the safety of lots of people. Used to inspect everything from parcels to planes, bomb detection dogs are specifically used to prevent terrorist attacks. These dogs can cost tens of thousands of dollars in training and equipment fees, but once trained, these dogs ensure that millions of people can go about their daily lives safely. Once they have finished their service at about nine years, these dogs are often put up for adoption, so if you want to help house these dogs, there is an opportunity for you to give back to them or consider donating to one of the organisations that help rehouse these dogs. 

Cancer Detection 

While less widespread than other detection dogs, some well-trained dogs have shown an ability to detect cancer in humans from their breath or urine. There has not been a huge demand for this area of dog detection because there are more efficient and quicker ways of knowing for certain if you have cancer, but it goes to show just how impressive dogs can be when motivated and working with humans. 

Assistance Dogs

For many people living with a disability, dogs can be their best chance of getting into a normal routine and enjoying their lives. It is well known that seeing-eye dogs have helped people with impaired vision for decades, but what may be less known are dogs that help people with other conditions. For people with autism, PTSD or other, non-physical disabilities, assistance dogs can help calm their minds and allow them to gain more control of their daily routine. From waking their owners up from a nightmare to recognising the signs of depression and simply trying to cheer their owner up, assistance dogs have drastically improved the quality of life for thousands of people. 


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