Working dogs

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j9X3Fnswmo

We know them as man's best friend, and while dogs have endeared themselves to humankind,
they are not only great companions but hard workers. For thousands of years dogs have been part
of the human experience; they have adapted and been bred to assist us in everyday life. They play
diverse roles as livestock herders, rescuers, sled pullers, and even work to brighten the lives of the
elderly and disabled.

Early on in our relationship, dogs found a role within society. Their exceptional abilities to see and
run, and their protective nature made them perfect for herding livestock; fending off predators
while keeping the herd moving.

Even in the modern age dogs are used in farm work, in places like the rugged mountains of New
Zealand. On an open range like this, a handful of dogs can handle thousands of sheep. They work
tirelessly, and cover up to fifty miles a day routinely, but working the farm isn't the only way they
help their human masters in the frozen lands of the north; indigenous people relied on dogs as a
vital means of transportation. The thick fur and strong stamina of dogs like the Siberian Husky
made them well adapted to hauling food and supplies to villages in the cold weather.

During the gold rush of the late 19th century, they were routinely used to haul freight. Years later,
sled dogs carried explorers Admiral Robert Peary and Roald Amundsen to find the north and south
poles. These dogs still ply the snows of the extreme north. Their endurance is put to the test in
competitions like the dog sled race. Dogs often contribute to our lives by working alongside us, but
they also save lives when sudden disasters -like an avalanche or earthquake- happen. Rescue dogs
can find people under near-impossible conditions.

Some qualities of rescue dogs do come naturally; their sense of smell is far superior to humans. But
rescue dogs must still work hard with their trainers to hone their skills, and for the dog, it's a game.
They learn to sniff out people for the reward of food and toys; in real situations, it's the dog who
communicates to the trainer where people may be trapped, and who command signal authorities.
But dogs don't necessarily have to be the strong and sturdy types to be workers. When it comes to
helping special needs people with pet therapy, the main qualification is unconditional love. These
special dogs spend their days visiting people who could use some attention. For them, spending
time with these critters has led to improved communication, better attention with tasks, and what
can often be a much-needed lifting-of-spirits.

For all their help dogs remain some of our closest companions.

Vocabulary list:

endear - verb make attractive or lovable

humankind - noun all of the living human inhabitants of the earth
companion - noun one paid to accompany or assist or live with another; a person who is
frequently in the company of another; a traveler who accompanies you; verb be a
companion to somebody
experience - noun the accumulation of knowledge or skill that results from direct
participation in events or activities; the content of direct observation or participation in an
event; an event as apprehended; verb go through (mental or physical states or
experiences); go or live through; undergo; have firsthand knowledge of states, situations,
emotions, or sensations; undergo an emotional sensation
adapt - verb make fit for, or change to suit a new purpose; adapt or conform oneself to new
or different conditions
breed - noun a lineage or race of people; a special variety of domesticated animals within a
species; a special lineage; half-caste offspring of parents of different races (especially of
white and American Indian parents); verb have young (animals); cause to procreate
(animals); copulate with a female, used especially of horses; call forth
livestock - noun not used technically; any animals kept for use or profit
diverse - adj. distinctly dissimilar or unlike; many and different
rescue - noun recovery or preservation from loss or danger; verb take forcibly from legal
custody; free from harm or evil
elderly - adj. advanced in years; (`aged' is pronounced as two syllables); noun people who
are old collectively
disabled - adj. markedly unable to function as a consequence of injury or illness; so badly
injured as to be excused from continuing; noun people collectively who are crippled or
otherwise physically handicapped
role - noun normal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting; the
actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group; what
something is used for; an actor's portrayal of someone in a play
society - noun an extended social group having a distinctive cultural and economic
organization; the fashionable elite; a formal association of people with similar interests; the
state of being with someone
exceptional - adj. deviating widely from a norm of physical or mental ability; used
especially of children below normal in intelligence; surpassing what is common or usual or
expected; far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree
protective - adj. (usually followed by `of') solicitously caring or mindful; intended or adapted
to afford protection of some kind; showing a care
livestock - noun not used technically; any animals kept for use or profit
predator - noun any animal that lives by preying on other animals; someone who attacks in
search of booty
rugged - adj. sturdy and strong in constitution or construction; enduring; very difficult;
severely testing stamina or resolution; rocky and steep; topographically very uneven
tireless - adj. characterized by hard work and perseverance; showing sustained
enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality
routine - adj. occurring at fixed times or predictable intervals; found in the ordinary course
of events; noun an unvarying or habitual method or procedure; a set sequence of steps,
part of larger computer program; a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer
program
indigenous - adj. originating where it is found
vital - adj. manifesting or characteristic of life; performing an essential function in the living
body; full of spirit; urgently needed; absolutely necessary
stamina - noun enduring strength and energy
haul - noun the act of drawing or hauling something; the quantity that was
caught; verb transport in a vehicle; draw slowly or heavily
village - noun a community of people smaller than a town; a settlement smaller than a
town; a mainly residential district of Manhattan; `the Village' became a home for many
writers and artists in the 20th century
freight - noun transporting goods commercially at rates cheaper than express rates; the
charge for transporting something by common carrier; goods carried by a large
vehicle; verb load with goods for transportation; transport commercially as cargo
explore - verb examine (organs) for diagnostic purposes; examine minutely; travel to or
penetrate into; inquire into
ply - noun (usually in combinations) one of several layers of cloth or paper or wood as in
plywood; one of the strands twisted together to make yarn or rope or thread; often used in
combination; verb use diligently; wield vigorously; join together as by twisting, weaving, or
molding; travel a route regularly; apply oneself diligently; provide what is desired or
needed, especially support, food or sustenance
endurance - noun the power to withstand hardship or stress; a state of surviving; remaining
alive
contribute - verb contribute to some cause; be conducive to; provide; bestow a quality on
disaster - noun an act that has disastrous consequences; an event resulting in great loss
and misfortune; a state of extreme (usually irremediable) ruin and misfortune
avalanche - noun a sudden appearance of an overwhelming number of things; a slide of
large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain; verb gather into a huge mass
and roll down a mountain, of snow
earthquake - noun shaking and vibration at the surface of the earth resulting from
underground movement along a fault plane of from volcanic activity; a disturbance that is
extremely disruptive
superior - adj. (often followed by `to') above being affected or influenced by; (sometimes
followed by `to') not subject to or influenced by; of or characteristic of high rank or
importance; of high or superior quality or performance; having an orbit farther from the sun
than the Earth's orbit; having a higher rank; written or printed above and to one side of
another character; noun a town in northwest Wisconsin on Lake Superior across from
Duluth; the head of a religious community; one of greater rank or station or quality; a
character or symbol set or printed or written above and immediately to one side of another
character; the largest freshwater lake in the world; the deepest of the Great Lakes; a
combatant who is able to defeat rivals
hone - noun a whetstone made of fine gritstone; used for sharpening razors; verb sharpen
with a hone; make perfect or complete
reward - noun an act performed to strengthen approved behavior; the offer of money for
helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property; payment made in return for a service
rendered; benefit resulting from some event or action; a recompense for worthy acts or
retribution for wrongdoing; verb act or give recompense in recognition of someone's
behavior or actions; strengthen and support with rewards; bestow honor or rewards upon
trap - noun a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned; a
light two-wheeled carriage; a device to hurl clay pigeons into the air for trapshooters; drain
consisting of a U-shaped section of drainpipe that holds liquid and so prevents a return flow
of sewer gas; informal terms for the mouth; something (often something deceptively
attractive) that catches you unawares; the act of concealing yourself and lying in wait to
attack by surprise; a hazard on a golf course; verb to hold fast or prevent from
moving; catch in or as if in a trap; hold or catch as if in a trap; place in a confining or
embarrassing position
command - noun availability for use; the power or authority to command; great skillfulness
and knowledge of some subject or activity; an authoritative direction or instruction to do
something; a military unit or region under the control of a single officer; a position of highest
authority; (computer science) a line of code written as part of a computer
program; verb make someone do something; be in command of; demand as one's
due; exercise authoritative control or power over; look down on
therapy - noun (medicine) the act of caring for someone (as by medication or remedial
training etc.)
attention - noun a courteous act indicating affection; a motionless erect stance with arms at
the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review; the faculty
or power of mental concentration; the process whereby a person concentrates on some
features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others; a general interest that
leads people to want to know more; the work of providing treatment for or attending to
someone or something
critter - noun a regional term for creature (especially domestic animals)
companion - noun one paid to accompany or assist or live with another; a person who is
frequently in the company of another; a traveler who accompanies you; verb be a
companion to somebody