Service dogs (or animals) help people with mental and physical disabilities to lead more independent lives. These animals are individually trained to assist the person with their specific disability.
Professional service animal training organizations, and individuals who train service animals, are located throughout North America. A trained service animal can exceed $25,000 but in many cases is much lower.
Some of the most common breeds of service dogs are German Shepard, Labrador, and Golden Retriever, and assist over 80 million people in the US alone.
But not all service animals are dogs. Many people prefer to choose all types of animals, though it is less popular than the dog option.
Studies have shown that service animals provide health benefits and can increase fitness, lower stress, and improve happiness. We are still learning new benefits every day by having service animals in our lives. In the 1920’s, a service animal was a seeing eye dog. Today, we see them helping people with anxiety, self-worth, trust issues, confidence, a sense of purpose and the love and companionship of a loyal friend.
Service animals are widely accepted today, and many laws have been passed to introduce these loyal servants into our lives. You cannot be discriminated against for having a service animal (even if the grocery store you go to does not allow pets) and are not required to produce paperwork stating that you are certified to have a service animal.
Service animals can do a wide range of duties. Here are only a few, of the many tasks, they can achieve:
- Turn on lights in a dark room.
- Remind you to take medication.
- Interrupt repetitive behaviors.
- Help to minimize the effects of OCD, schizophrenia, and PTSD.
- Supports people with many types of addiction.
- Acts as a companion.
- Supports persons with emotional dysregulation.
- Help you get dressed.
Service animals are trained! If the animal isn’t specifically trained, but still assists a person’s needs, and helps their condition, these animals are known as emotional support animals (ESAs). They provide comfort just by being with a person. But because they are not trained, they do not qualify as a service animal by the ADA (Americans with disabilities act).
By speaking with someone from the many animal organizations (American kennel club, SPCA, veterinary clinics etc.) can help you find more info to best suit your needs.
For More Information:
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