ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans

Okay kiddo, so some people have trouble hearing or moving around because of a disability. But dogs can help them with that!

If someone can't hear well, they might need a hearing dog. These special dogs are trained to notice different sounds like the doorbell, fire alarms, or even someone calling a name. When the dog hears one of these sounds, they nudge the person with their nose, paw, or even bark to get their attention. This helps the person to know what is going on around them and stay safe.

If someone has trouble moving around, they might need a service dog. Service dogs are trained to do different tasks that the person can't do on their own. For example, they might help someone with opening doors, picking things up, or even turning on lights. The dog is trained to listen to the person's commands and do what they are told. They can even guide someone who is blind or visually impaired.

These dogs are very important to the people they help. They give the person a sense of independence and confidence to do things that may have been difficult before. The dogs are also great companions and provide a lot of love and support to their owners.