Service & Therapy Puppies
Australian Labradoodle
Service and Therapy
As a breeder specializing in Australian Labradoodles for service and therapy work, we take pride in our diligent approach to breeding dogs that are not only physically fit and genetically sound but also display the empathetic and intelligent traits essential for service roles.
Our Australian Labradoodles are bred with a specific focus on temperament, trainability, and health to ensure they meet the demanding requirements of service and therapy work. Each puppy is nurtured in a loving, enriching environment designed to lay the foundation for their future training as service dogs.
We collaborate closely with a highly regarded canine behaviorist to tailor our breeding program, continuously striving to produce Australian Labradoodles that can effortlessly integrate into the lives of those who need their assistance the most, making a significant and positive impact on their human partners’ lives.
Service Dog vs Therapy Dog
Service dogs and therapy dogs each serve crucial but distinct roles in supporting individuals. Service dogs are trained to aid those with disabilities, enjoying broad access to public places. In contrast, therapy dogs are meant to provide emotional comfort in a variety of settings, often on a volunteer basis.
Service Dogs
- Purpose: Service dogs are trained to perform specific tasks to assist an individual with a disability.
- Training: They undergo extensive, specialized training that relates directly to their handler’s disability, such as pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, or performing other special tasks.
- Rights: Under the Accessible Canada Act, service dogs are allowed to accompany their handlers in most public places, including restaurants and airplanes.
- Selection: They are carefully selected for traits suited to long-term, demanding work.
- Relationship: Service dogs are usually matched with one person to whom they provide assistance.
Therapy Dogs
- Purpose: Therapy dogs provide comfort and affection to various people, either in an in-home setting or in a volunteer capacity in locations like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes.
- Training: They receive training to be calm and comforting around a variety of people, but they do not have specialized training to perform tasks that assist with disabilities.
- Rights: Therapy dogs do not have the same legal rights as service dogs to access all public areas but can be invited to specific facilities for therapeutic work.
- Selection: These dogs are chosen for their calm and friendly demeanor.
- Relationship: Therapy dogs do not usually have one specific handler they assist; instead, they provide support and comfort to many people.
Service dogs
What Qualities Make a Good Dog?
A good service dog possesses a unique set of qualities that enable them to perform their duties effectively. These qualities include:
- Calm Temperament: A good service dog remains calm in various situations, providing a stable presence for their handler.
- Intelligence: They must be smart and capable of learning complex tasks and commands.
- Trainability: The ability to be trained quickly and respond well to obedience commands is crucial.
- Alertness: They must be observant and aware of their surroundings without being easily distracted.
- Good Health: A strong constitution and robust health are essential since service dogs have important jobs that can be physically demanding.
- Loyalty: They need to be devoted to their handler, creating a strong, trusting bond.
- Patience: Service dogs often need to wait calmly for extended periods.
- Work Drive: A natural inclination to work and a desire to please their handler are key traits.
- Sociability: While they should be friendly, a good service dog should not solicit attention from others when on duty.
- Non-aggressiveness: A service dog must not show any signs of aggression.
These qualities ensure that a service dog can provide effective assistance and companionship, enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.
Do Australian Labradoodles Make Good Service Dogs?
Australian Labradoodles are highly regarded as service dogs due to their intelligence, trainable nature, and calm temperament. Their typically hypoallergenic coats are ideal for handlers with allergies. These dogs are of a suitable size for various tasks, generally healthy, and have a sociable disposition, essential for working closely with humans. While individual suitability varies, their overall qualities make them excellent candidates for service roles.
Therapy Dogs
What Qualities Make a Good
Good therapy dogs possess traits that enable them to interact well with various people and provide comfort and support in therapeutic settings. Here are some of the key qualities:
- Sociable and Friendly: A good therapy dog loves meeting new people and is friendly to everyone they encounter.
- Calm and Patient: They remain calm even in busy or noisy environments and can be patient with unfamiliar people who may interact with them awkwardly.
- Gentle: They are gentle in their movements and interactions, making them safe around individuals of all ages, including children and the elderly.
- Obedient: They respond well to their handler’s commands, which is important for maintaining control in various settings.
- Adaptable: They can cope with a range of environments and situations without becoming stressed or agitated.
- Comfortable Being Handled: Therapy dogs are comfortable being petted, hugged, and touched, sometimes in a more demanding way by people unfamiliar with how to interact with dogs.
- Well-Trained: They must be well-trained in basic obedience and often pass a therapy dog certification test.
- Non-reactive: They do not react negatively to medical equipment, loud noises, sudden movements, or other stimuli that could be encountered in facilities like hospitals or nursing homes.
- Intuitive: They often have an innate ability to provide affection and comfort to those in need without being told.
These qualities enable therapy dogs to provide emotional support and benefits to people facing a wide variety of health challenges, stresses, or educational environments.
Are Australian Labradoodles Good Therapy Dogs?
Australian Labradoodles are considered excellent therapy dogs thanks to their affectionate nature, ease of training, and gentle temperament. Their sociability and intuitive understanding of human emotions make them natural comforters. Their hypoallergenic coats also minimize allergy concerns in therapy settings. With the right training, their friendly disposition and resilience make them ideal for providing emotional support to a variety of individuals in need.
Join Our Family
Join the Big Rock Labradoodles
If you’re in search of a devoted service or therapy dog, Big Rock Labradoodles is ready to help you find your ideal canine partner. Contact us today to get matched with a puppy that will bring joy, assistance, and companionship into your life. Let’s find your new family member together!
About Us
When your pup comes from Big Rock Labradoodles, you're choosing a breeder who values ethics, health, and the well-being of every furry bundle we bring into the world. Get to know us and see why a pup from us means you're choosing a lifetime of love and quality care.
Our Code of Ethics
We aim to maintain the highest standards, blending science, top-tier veterinary care, and a whole lot of love to raise healthy, well-socialized pups. Learn more.
Health Testing
We consider our dogs as family members. That's why we put in time and effort to make sure your new furry family member stays healthy in the long term. Learn more.
Our Holistic Approach to Neutering
Our neutering policy prioritizes puppy health and is based on extensive research — balancing the benefits of mature neutering. Learn more.
