For thousands of years people with disabilities have relied on the assistance of dogs. Paintings dating back to ancient Rome, portray a guide dog helping a blind man. The first guide dog school was The Parisian Hospital for the Blind in France. Its existence was discovered in a painting by Jean-Baptiste Chardin in the 1700s. Present-day guide dog training began during World War I when dogs were trained to lead soldiers blinded by mustard gas. Seventy- three years later service dogs were officially recognized when the American Disabilities Act issued legal protections for service dogs and owners.
According to the American Disabilities Act, a service dog is a working dog that assists individuals with disabilities. Training enables them to perform specific tasks related to their owner’s disability or diagnosis. Classified as medical devices, service dogs are not pets. The ADA gives service dogs permission to be in public where dogs are normally not allowed. This law requires that a service dog is trained to perform a specific task related to help mitigate their owner’s disability. An owner should have their dog under control with a leash or tether. Unless the leash interferes with the dog’s ability to perform its tasks. In public, service dogs should be well mannered with no signs of aggressive behavior. Even when a service dog is in a restaurant they should never solicit food. If preoccupied, they could miss a critical health warning sign. For more information on legal rights check out our article What Constitutes a Service Dog? – Wise Woofs.
Many service dogs receive a Canine Good Citizen certification. This is a training program designed by the American Kennel Club, it sets a standard for owners regarding behavior and service work in public. This test and title is not required for service dogs, but could be very helpful to someone considering training their own service dog. It is required for certified therapy dogs.
Despite being legally classified as medical devices, service dogs are wise woofs at heart and provide many of the same emotional benefits as a family dog. Service dogs develop extremely close bonds with their person.
Guide Dogs– are the original service dog and set the standard for excellence. They assist those who are visually impaired, help owners navigate and travel safely, locate doors and steps, and avoid obstacles. Trained to make autonomous decisions, guide dogs avoid dangerous situations.
- Conditions Guide Dogs Assist With
- Blindness
- Visual Impairments
Hearing Dogs– act as the owner’s ears, differentiate sounds and respond accordingly, alert owners to doorbells, sirens, alarms, and car sounds.
- Conditions Hearing Dogs Assist With
- Deafness
- Hearing Impairments
Medical Alert Dogs– signal the onset of a medical issue, such as alerting owners before a seizure begins. They are trained to detect chemical changes in blood sugar and alert owners when sugar levels drop. Some detect allergens in the air or food, sniffing for allergens. Then perform a trained behavior like sitting, staring or touching with a paw to indicate the presence of an allergen. They can clear entire buildings to ensure surfaces are free of allergens that seriously affect the health of their person.
- Conditions Medical Alert Dogs Help With
- Diabetes
- Life-threatening allergies
- Severe Asthma
- Epilepsy
Mobility Assistance Dogs– assist those with impaired motor functions, provide strength and movement to owners, create balance and stability, helps owners get more exercise, retrieve objects, push or pull a wheelchair, open and close doors or drawers, and operate light switches.
- Conditions Mobility Assistance Dogs Help With
- Wheelchair Use
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Physical Injury
Autism Support Dogs– help their partner navigate social settings and decrease associated anxiety or negative reactions. Prevent wandering off, improve verbal and non-verbal communication skills and help regulate emotions. Provide grounding to decrease stress, calm emotional outbursts, ease transitions, interrupt repetitive behaviors, and increase independence.
Psychiatric Service Dogs– mitigate illnesses classified as mental impairments, provide comfort during times of distress, and help owners cope with emotional overload. Trained to help with certain tasks while protecting from harm. PSDs provide comfort, a sense of protection, and assistance. These dogs are trained to be tuned in to their handler’s state of mind.
- Conditions that Psychiatric Service Dogs Can Help With
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Panic Attacks
- Social Anxiety
A service dog cannot prevent medical emergencies or conditions from occurring and does not negate the need for medications. Always consult with a doctor before making any changes to medication. Whether someone has a service dog or is in the process of getting one, please continue prescribed medication and therapy routines unless advised differently by medical professionals. Studies show that owners with service dogs have an overall improved quality of life, with significantly less anxiety, anger, and sleep disturbance compared to those with disabilities on a waitlist for service dogs. Service dogs save lives and offer hope to those who need daily assistance. These super dogs can help with almost any disability. If you are thinking about getting a service dog and ready to take the next step, view our article on Selecting a Service Dog – Wise Woofs.
