SERVICE DOG FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
A service dog is a specially trained dog capable of performing actions, tasks, and functions that assist a person with a disability in managing everyday challenges, including physical, sensory, psychiatric, or other types of support. The work or tasks performed by a service dog must be directly related to the person’s disability and are intended to partially compensate for its limitations, increasing the individual’s independence and self-sufficiency. These dogs provide active physical assistance, can monitor their handler’s health and alert them to medical episodes, and offer emotional and psychological support. A service dog accompanies its handler everywhere and is always ready to help.
SERVICE DOG FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
There are three main categories of service dogs:
- GUIDE DOGS: dogs that assist people who are blind or visually impaired;
- HEARING DOGS: dogs that assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
- SERVICE DOGS: dogs that assist people with physical disabilities other than vision or hearing impairments.
Each person’s disability and physical abilities are unique, so the functions of service dogs are individualized in every case. For example, some people may need assistance with everyday tasks such as opening and closing doors or drawers, retrieving and delivering objects, picking up items from the floor, turning lights on and off, helping with dressing or undressing, calling for help, and many other actions.
Others may need a companion and assistant for long walks—these dogs can serve as physical support while walking, pull a wheelchair over long distances while avoiding obstacles, help with uphill climbs, and slow down on descents.
There are also service dogs trained specifically to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Another major category of service dog training is Medical Alert Service Dogs. These dogs are able to detect physiological changes in their handler’s body and alert them to an impending medical issue—such as fainting, diabetic coma, or epileptic seizures.
Additionally, there are Psychiatric Service Dogs, which assist people with autism, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychiatric or neurological conditions.
Research has even shown that specially trained Medical Detection Dogs can detect illnesses such as cancer by scent.
1. MEDICAL ALERT SERVICE DOGS
These are specially trained dogs that can detect physiological changes in their handler’s body and alert them to the onset of a medical emergency (such as fainting, diabetic coma, or epileptic seizures).
1.1. DIABETES ALERT DOGS
Service dogs for people with diabetes
These dogs are trained to detect high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia) blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and to alert their handlers to dangerous fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
1.2. SEIZURE ALERT DOGS
Service dogs for people with epilepsy that can sense and alert their handler to an impending seizure. This advance warning gives the person time to take precautionary measures—such as moving to a safe position to prevent injury.
1.3. ASTHMA ALERT DOGS
Service dogs for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They can alert their handler before an asthma attack occurs, allowing time to take preventative action. They are trained to retrieve an inhaler and can wake a person experiencing breathing difficulties or alert others for emergency help.
1.4. CARDIAC ALERT DOGS
These dogs assist individuals with heart conditions. They are trained to warn their handler about impending drops in blood pressure, which can lead to fainting. Early warning allows the person to take medication or lie down to prevent injury.
1.5. SEVERE ALLERGY ALERT DOGS
These dogs can detect life-threatening allergens by scent and alert their handler to the presence of allergens that could trigger a severe allergic reaction.
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2. GUIDE DOGS
Guide dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired
Guide dogs assist individuals who are blind or have low vision in navigating outdoor environments and avoiding obstacles. They help their handlers safely move around, alert them to barriers along the way, and are also trained to perform basic tasks such as retrieving and delivering objects.
3. HEARING SERVICE DOGS
These are service dogs for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They alert their handlers to important sounds such as doorbells, fire alarms, phone calls, or alarm clocks. Hearing dogs can also work outside the home by notifying their handler about vehicle signals or alerting them if someone calls their name.
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