Just thought I'd add
Before the trainer moved to another state, I wanted my previous dog (a Samoyed) to have training to be a therapy/service dog. Seems there were at least two sections of training (alas she only completed one) but it seemed like "Canine Good Citizen" on steroids. The dog had to REALLY have good people obedience skills, including welcoming grooming by strangers, and be unflappable in the face of walkers, crutches, canes, wheelchairs, (probably noisy oxygenators). Peeing and Pooping on command was also something desired (nice in rainy or snowy weather.)
Although the tiny sheltie would not be a breed to help people with balance problems, it's so smart that I'm sure it would have no trouble at all with some other tasks. Alerting owner to someone knocking on the door or a phone ringing is natural for them. LOL Waking owner with "kisses" (not nibbles) sounds like another "natural" (I bet that Daylight Savings Time is a bummer for them though. Picking up dropped items and returning them to owner. Opening (and nudging closed) cabinets. Knew one woman with bad arthritis who had her little dachshund open the zippers on her purse another man whose miniature poodle served to alleviate anxiety attacks.
My husband has heart/kidney/respiratory problems, so I'm hoping that my little Blaze will brighten his day. Already Blaze has no problem at all running up and down the ramp husband uses (no stairs). Sure your little darling will be of "service" to you too.
Oh, if you get your little darling certified, he just might have a job visiting in hospitals or nursing facilities as well!
Before the trainer moved to another state, I wanted my previous dog (a Samoyed) to have training to be a therapy/service dog. Seems there were at least two sections of training (alas she only completed one) but it seemed like "Canine Good Citizen" on steroids. The dog had to REALLY have good people obedience skills, including welcoming grooming by strangers, and be unflappable in the face of walkers, crutches, canes, wheelchairs, (probably noisy oxygenators). Peeing and Pooping on command was also something desired (nice in rainy or snowy weather.)
Although the tiny sheltie would not be a breed to help people with balance problems, it's so smart that I'm sure it would have no trouble at all with some other tasks. Alerting owner to someone knocking on the door or a phone ringing is natural for them. LOL Waking owner with "kisses" (not nibbles) sounds like another "natural" (I bet that Daylight Savings Time is a bummer for them though. Picking up dropped items and returning them to owner. Opening (and nudging closed) cabinets. Knew one woman with bad arthritis who had her little dachshund open the zippers on her purse another man whose miniature poodle served to alleviate anxiety attacks.
My husband has heart/kidney/respiratory problems, so I'm hoping that my little Blaze will brighten his day. Already Blaze has no problem at all running up and down the ramp husband uses (no stairs). Sure your little darling will be of "service" to you too.
Oh, if you get your little darling certified, he just might have a job visiting in hospitals or nursing facilities as well!