The American cocker spaniel is an incredibly versatile dog breed. They are so friendly and social that they can get along with everyone from babies to the elderly. It’s true that the AKC cocker spaniel and the American cocker spaniel make wonderful family dogs, but that’s not the only role they’re suited for.

Cocker spaniels also make fantastic comfort dogs for the elderly. As people get older, certain health conditions, such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s, are likely to appear. Living with these diseases can be scary, frustrating, and isolating- that’s why comfort dogs are so important. As it turns out, cocker spaniels are best suited for the job!

Here’s a bit more information on why comfort, or service, dogs are so important and how cocker spaniels can help:

The importance of service dogs for the elderly

  • Companionship: Elderly people with Dementia and Alzheimer’s oftentimes feel lonely and isolated. Service dogs can help them feel loved.
  • Calming: Those suffering from the above-mentioned diseases become overwhelmed and frustrated often. The presence of a trained dog can help them calm down.
  • Keep safe: A crucial role of a service dog for someone with Dementia or Alzheimer’s is to be able to keep their owner safe. These dogs are trained to get their owners home safely, which can be helpful if their owner gets lost or forgets how to get home.
  • Help with daily tasks: Service dogs can help their elderly owners wake up, get dressed, and even remember to take their medication.
  • Increase confidence: Owning a service dog can help elderly people with Dementia or Alzheimer’s feel independent and self-sufficient because they have a pet rather than a human caretaker.

Why a cocker spaniel is an ideal service dog

  • Loving: Cocker spaniels are notoriously loving dogs. They enjoy cuddling up to their owners, keeping them warm, and giving kisses. Being loving is an important quality for a service dog to have because they need to be able to provide emotional support.
  • Social: The American cocker spaniel is incredibly social and loves attention. It’s important that a service dog is social because they may be needed to help keep their owners social, too. If the dog can get along well with others, the owner may be encouraged to go out more often, which can help keep them independent for longer.
  • Easy to train: Service dogs need to be able to learn and remember a wide range of commands- especially when they live and work with the elderly. Luckily, both the AKC cocker spaniel and the American cocker spaniel are easy to train.

At the end of the day, comfort dogs are so important and there’s no better breed than a cocker spaniel! Service dogs can completely transform the lives of those with Dementia and Alzheimer’s by making them feel safer and happier. The changes that come along with age can be terrifying, but having a loving and loyal companion can help. The unique temperaments of the American cocker spaniel and the AKC cocker spaniel make them the best dogs for the job.