When you hear about a service dog or therapy dog, you may think of traditional service dog breeds. For example, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Dalmatians, and Bloodhounds may come to mind. These dogs no doubt good at what they do, but we believe the African mastiff can excel at service or therapy work. Because of their temperament, personality, and intellectual ability. These are not only excellent characteristics for service dogs, but these are the characteristics that African Boerboel breeders have selected them for making Boerboel puppies and dogs ideal for service work. Because South African Boerboels are a rare breed in the United States people are often unaware that they are just as capable as other breeds if not more so.
South African Boerboels the Ultimate Service Therapy Dog Breed.
Many people are looking for alternatives to prescription drugs with addictive properties and adverse health effects. Did you know one of the best ways to improve your health is through South African Boerboel puppy ownership? Research has found that owning a dog is exceptionally beneficial to an individual’s health. The majority of Americans, as well as people around the world, could benefit from improved health.
The science behind dogs assisting with service, therapy, and health, as well as, being an alternative to conventional medicine has long been documented. After all, the dog, of all kinds of pets, is man’s best friend and has been for centuries. South African Boerboels, being the ultimate dog and companion fit this service and therapy bill like no other canine. As Boerboel Breeders, we are admittedly biased in this regard, but we feel there is an argument that they are better than any other breed because of their innate capabilities. that they are better than any other because of their innate capabilities.
South African Boerboels have been bred for centuries, first and foremost, as a companion animal. Their
intelligence capabilities mirrors those of other service working breeds. South African Boerboel breeders
will tell you that they are a joy to own, and not only because they have boerboel puppies for sale (smile) but
because they are special. One of the most important characteristics of any Boerboel or dog is their
temperament. The best companion, service, or therapy dogs have to be smart loyal and loving. For South
African Boerboels, especially because of their size and power, it is crucial that the temperament be sound.
They must be great decision makers
The reason these breeds can excel at service or therapy work is due to the temperament, personality, abilities, and characteristics and intelligence that dog breeders have selected them for. Making puppies and dogs from these breeds ideal for service work. Because South African Boerboels are a rare breed in the United States people may not know that they are just as capable as these breeds if not more. South African Boerboels have been bred for centuries first and foremost as a companion animal. The intelligence capabilities mirror those and other service working breeds. South African boerboel breeders will tell you that they are a joy to own and not only because they have puppies for sale lol but because they are special. One of the most essential characteristics of any boerboel or dog is the temperament. The best companion service or therapy dogs have to be smart loyal and loving. South African Boerboels precisely because of their size and power it is crucial that the temperament be sound. They must be great decision makers.
Benefits You May Not be Aware of!
Treating Autistic Children with Dogs
Did you know dogs can have a therapeutic value for children with autism? According to a published study by The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Jul 2011.ahead of print http://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0436 “In the presence of the dog, the participant” an autistic child “exhibited more frequent and longer durations of positive behaviors (such as smiling and positive physical contacting) as well as less frequent and shorter durations of negative behaviors (such as aggressive manifestations).”
According to autismspeaks.org, 94% of parents surveyed in a published study by the Journal of Pediatric Nursing said “their child bonded strongly with the pet” and “children with autism found that those who had a family pet from a young age tended to have greater social skills.” “Children with autism may especially benefit from interacting with dogs, which can provide unconditional, nonjudgmental love and companionship,” https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/autism-and-pets-more-evidence-social-benefits
South African Boerboels as Therapy or Service Dogs
South African Boerboels can be trained to be therapy and service dogs. As therapy and service dogs they
play a significant role in the lives of their handlers. By providing emotional support and physical health
improvements. Service dogs and therapy dogs aid and assist in a variety of daily tasks, such as helping
you out the bed or giving you a reason to get out the bed, helping you keep up with your keys. Personally,
I could use help with keeping up with my keys!!! Also, they can help you maintain a sleeping routine,
waking up and going to bed at regular hours
A huge benefit of owning a South African Boerboel is that they can help you get more physical exercise.
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, “only one in three adults receive the
recommended amount of physical exercise each week.” One of my clients told me that owning a South
African Boerboel has made her feel ten years younger! This is based on how much more walking
she has done since getting her dog.
Among the numerous benefits of owning a service dog or therapy dog is psychological and physiological
benefits as well. Therapy dogs and service dogs both can help you distract you from adverse or
stressful life events and make you feel more confident. Dogs are an excellent source for socialization. By the
same token if you are the person who wants to avoid physical contact like handshaking having a dog that
is a large breed is an excellent deterrent from unwanted physical contact.
Service dogs and therapy dogs are alike, but there are critical differences between therapy and service dogs.
Here are a couple of the things that distinguish the two.
Therapy Dogs
- interact with various people
- trained to provide services for people other than the immediate handler
- work may include visiting schools hospitals and nursing homes
Service Dogs
- Provided to people with disabilities.
- specially trained to aide and assist one person
- usually, have a no petting policy
We hope this article has shed some light on the considerable upside to owning a service or therapy dog in general.
We have touched on many areas of benefits, but we have only touched the surface. Stay tuned as we
research and dig deeper into topics like Boerboels and their use with people with dementia.
As always feel free to leave a comment in the comments section with any questions or concerns you may
have. Do you have any experience with a Boerboel as a service or therapy dog? Please tell us about it we would love to hear your story.