Specially Trained Dogs Help Disabled Farmers

A group of Labrador Retrievers and Border Collies has been specially trained to corral cattle, carry buckets or other tools and open gates, in order to help farmers with disabilities keep their farms running. Since 2009, PHARM Dog USA has matched 10 dogs with farmers, free of charge, and two more are currently being trained. Participating dogs are donated or rescued from shelters and the cost of their training is covered by agriculture rehabilitation groups. “People think of farmers as rugged and tough,” PHARM Dog USA founder Jackie Allenbrand told the Associated Press. “When you see a big, burly farmer crying after they get a dog because they know they can keep farming, you see what a difference it’s making. That’s what drives us.” — Read it at People