Animals have been living on this planet long enough to be more than just pretty creatures roaming the earth.
While some contribute by maintaining the balance in the ecosystem, others are even employed to contribute directly to human society.
These remarkable animals perform a range of tasks, from enhancing security to assisting during medical needs.
One distinctive factor that separates them from other animals is their ability to be perceptive and quickly learn actions expected of them by humans.
Let us take a look at some of these animals that have been used efficiently by humans to make the world a better, safer, and healthier place.
1. Dolphins
They have enlisted in the U.S. Navy to perform certain tasks for the military, including mine detection, protecting ships, locating objects, and surveillance. Dolphins have advanced sonar-like systems that can dive into deep waters and help the military detect hidden mines. The U.S. military, which trains these sea creatures under the Navy’s Marine Mammal Program, claims that dolphins simply maintain vigilance.
2. Rats
Rats have proven that they are not just a nuisance but have demonstrated their worth when it comes to detecting landmines, explosives, and humans trapped after disasters. Since rats are much lighter, they don’t trigger landmines while simultaneously detecting their locations. These rats take about nine months to train and are paid well with bananas.
3. Dogs
Dogs are known worldwide for their light sleep, extreme senses, and loyalty to their owners. Dogs not only sniff out explosives and find humans but, if trained well, can also alert their owners of incoming epileptic seizures.
4. Canaries
These pretty little birds are more than just for human pleasure. Mining in the early days was unpredictable, and the presence of carbon monoxide often led to miners’ deaths. To counter this, people started taking canaries with them into the mines, as these birds could detect the presence of this deadly gas earlier than human senses, thereby alerting the miners.
5. Horses
Horses have been historically known to carry warriors into battle. Their stealth, speed, and power are recognized worldwide. In addition, small horses have been employed as guides. They are calm and not easily distracted, making them good companions for those who have allergies to dogs.
6. Monkeys
While they are not the calmest animals in the wild, some species like the capuchin monkeys can be trained to help disabled people with their small needs. They can perform a number of mundane tasks like scratching an itch, picking up dropped items, dialing, and turning on and off any appliance. The training period for these monkeys can last up to five years.
7. Cats
Cats are often believed to be the most selfish creatures, but people employ these animals because the job is a fair deal for both parties. The payment itself is the job. Warehouses, barns, and rodent-infested homes employ cats to deal with the issue of mice, which are pesky little creatures that can cause havoc.