One of my favorite shows on the National Geographic Channel has always been Dogs with Jobs, a show that profiles canines with working jobs.  It's got something to do with the idea of a dog having a higher purpose than just a household pet.  Don't get me wrong, I think that all pets have a purpose, but it's those truly extraordinary pets who fascinate me.  It was this fascination that led me to the Forums in search of people who would want to share their pets' stories with me. I got a lot of really great responses to my request, but below you will find the stories of three different Etsy members and their dogs, who prove that they are more than just man's best friend.

[Photograph by fluffnflowers]

Our first extraordinary pet belongs to fluffnflowers and is trained as a Seizure/Motion Disorder dog.  The dog, an Airedale named Ellie, assists people who are prone to seizures by alerting them of upcoming episodes.  Extensive training to get her used to the public has aided in Ellie's success. Along with regular obedience and aptitude training, Ellie has also been trained to pull a card from her service vest which states: "Stand Back! Call 911 — my partner is having a seizure!" Ellie is not just a working dog though, she also enjoys spending time in the garden, chasing bumblebees and helping her Mom cultivate her gorgeous plants and flowers.


[Photograph by ShoeTheLittleFilly]

Jasper, who raced under the name Atomic Bear, is a retired racing Greyhound who resides in Australia and belongs to ShoeTheLittleFilly. Jasper is a pet therapy dog who visits nursing homes and elderly-resident hostels, to help the residents who are often having a hard time transitioning between their lives at home, and their lives in the new facilities in which they reside. Due to the gentle nature and stature of Greyhounds, Jasper has been a welcome addition to the Pet Therapy program. Training for this program required acclimating Jasper to things like motorized scooters, walking through a crowd, and people who may have unpredictable movements. When Jasper isn't working, he enjoys sleeping, being the head taste tester for his mom's baking, and encouraging his mom to buy new embroidery hoops, by eating her old ones.


[Photograph by MVKnits]

Fettucini, Biscotti, and Sabine are all Maremma, which are livestock guardian dogs, who live on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts with their mom, MVKnits. Maremma are raised to protect flocks of sheep and goats from predators like coyote and domestic dogs.  Above being good natured and playful, these dogs are fiercely loyal and will lay down their own lives to protect their flock. Maremma have guarding instincts that don't require any formal training, and while they do have basic obedience training, they will ignore any command you give them if they think it puts the flock in danger.  Without these dogs, the flock may be in danger, and MVKnits wouldn't be able to offer her gorgeous fiber for sale on Etsy. Interesting Fact: More sheep are killed by domestic dogs than coyotes or wolves each year.

Further Resources:
Paws with a Cause
Adopt a Greyhound
Maremma

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