Physical and Emotional Benefits of Service Dogs

(With Insight from Guest Contributor: Ed Carter (www.ablefutures.org)

Over 70 million U.S. owners consider dogs as companions. But an even greater number, nearly 80 million Americans, rely on the service they receive from the dogs they consider their working partners. Dogs that are properly trained for service can significantly affect the health and welfare of people with physical disabilities: they can be the eyes and ears, retrievers, door openers, stability, and warning indicators that allow a disabled person to live an independent life.

Aside from these physical aids, service dogs can offer benefits that enhance emotional welfare thanks to their unique bond with their owners. Generally, there are three categories of service dogs recognized by the Americans With Disablities Act (ADA):

1. Assistance For People With Limited Mobility

Service dogs are ideal for people with limited mobility, such as those who use wheelchairs. They can provide physical support or be trained to help with daily tasks like opening doors and fetching objects.

For this type of support, it's important for the handler to start bonding with his or her dog right away in order for the dog to learn what the person's needs are. 

2. Help With Everyday Life Tasks (Through Eyes, Ears, and Fetching)

Dogs can be trained to help individuals with everyday tasks like fetching medications and carrying items if the owner is not strong enough. Guiding Eye Dogs fall into this category, protecting their low-vision handlers from injuring themselves due to unknown obstructions.

Generally, larger, sturdier breeds are trained for this category such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Standard Poodles, and Greyhounds.  However, smaller breeds can be ideal for individuals with autism and PTSD.

3. Therapy Animals

Therapy Animals are not trained to assist in major life tasks, so they are not recognized by the ADA as Service Dogs. They are trained to bring comfort to individuals following natural disasters, or to people who are hospitalized or isolated in a nursing home. A group of therapy dogs was and continues to be of great support to students and families of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland following the horrific shooting there. 

These are typically very calm dogs who have an ability to provide love and compassion.

4. Emotional Support

Similar to Therapy Dogs, ESA, or Emotional Support Animals, are not recognized by the ADA as Sevice Animals because they aren't trained to carry out life tasks; instead, they provide emotional support through they're loyalty.  This emotional support can reduce loneliness and provide an enhanced feeling of security, and any domesticated pet can be considered an ESA, provided the handler has been diagnosed by a mental health professional.

4. Therapy Animals

Similar to ESA, Therapy Animals are not trained to assist in major life tasks. They are trained to bring comfort to individuals following natural disasters, or to people who are hospitalized or isolated in a nursing home. A group of therapy dogs was and continues to be of great support to students and families of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland following the horrific shooting there. 

These are typically very calm dogs who have an ability to provide love and compassion.

Should I Get a Service Dog?

If you have any disability a service dog can assist with, you should explore ithe possibities. If you’re not certain whether your disability is extreme enough to get a service dog, consider whether your daily chores would be easier and safer if you had one. The process isn't quick, but the reward is life-changing.  Be aware that there are lots of resources online, but not all are trust-worthy. 

We're proud to have a number of customers who are certified as Service Dog Trainers or who work with legitimate, honorable organizations. Check out some of their stories here, and reach out to them if you are or someone you love could use assistance.