View our privacy policy
By Dr. Becker
Duffy, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever, is testing a new piece of equipment designed for service dogs that assist people with disabilities. The special equipment is actually a washing machine, created by U.K. commercial laundry company JTM Service in partnership with appliance manufacturer Miele. It’s called the “Woof to Wash.”
Duffy, a two-year-old Labrador Retriever, is testing a new piece of equipment designed for service dogs that assist people with disabilities.
The special equipment is actually a washing machine, created by U.K. commercial laundry company JTM Service in partnership with appliance manufacturer Miele. It’s called the “Woof to Wash.”
Duffy was trained by Support Dogs, a national U.K. charity working to increase the independence and quality of life of people with various medical conditions. His job as the official Woof to Wash test pilot is to open the washing machine door, load the machine with clothes from a laundry basket, close the door, and bark to activate a voice sensor that starts the machine. When the wash cycle finishes, Duffy is also trained to unload the machine. While assistance dogs like Duffy are often trained to strip beds, fill laundry baskets, and load and empty washing machines to help their disabled owners, until now they haven’t been able to turn on a machine.
Duffy was trained by Support Dogs, a national U.K. charity working to increase the independence and quality of life of people with various medical conditions. His job as the official Woof to Wash test pilot is to open the washing machine door, load the machine with clothes from a laundry basket, close the door, and bark to activate a voice sensor that starts the machine. When the wash cycle finishes, Duffy is also trained to unload the machine.
While assistance dogs like Duffy are often trained to strip beds, fill laundry baskets, and load and empty washing machines to help their disabled owners, until now they haven’t been able to turn on a machine.
John Middleton of JTM, creator of the Woof to Wash, says it was developed as an alternative to mainstream washing machines that feature complex digital controls many disabled people find hard to operate. Middleton hopes to place the machine in thousands of homes to make life a little less challenging for people with disabilities ranging from poor eyesight to autism. The Woof to Wash is designed to work on a single cycle and dispense the correct amount of detergent, further simplifying its operation. The door handle is designed to fit in a dog’s mouth. According to CNET, Woof to Wash is a great example of how a simple technical innovation can have a tremendous impact on a person’s daily life.
John Middleton of JTM, creator of the Woof to Wash, says it was developed as an alternative to mainstream washing machines that feature complex digital controls many disabled people find hard to operate. Middleton hopes to place the machine in thousands of homes to make life a little less challenging for people with disabilities ranging from poor eyesight to autism.
The Woof to Wash is designed to work on a single cycle and dispense the correct amount of detergent, further simplifying its operation. The door handle is designed to fit in a dog’s mouth.
According to CNET, Woof to Wash is a great example of how a simple technical innovation can have a tremendous impact on a person’s daily life.
Reply to this thread (2000 Characters only)
Characters remaining:
* Please enter your comment!
Edit Your Comment (2000 Characters only)
Characters Remaining:
x
By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
I agree
HEALTHY PETS DISCLAIMER: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. Dr. Karen Becker cannot answer specific questions about your pet's medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Your pet's medical protocol should be given by your holistic veterinarian.
If you want to use an article on your site please click here. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Mercola.com is required.
Terms & Conditions | Updated Privacy Policy
© 1997-2019 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.
Please Sign In or Register to continue.