Dogs have always been known as “man’s best friend” because of their affection and loyalty. Just imagine you have a trustworthy companion who not only gives you unconditional love but also helps with everyday tasks. Service dogs offer this vital support for people with disabilities.
These animals are trained to help with many things. For example, they guide their owners, remind them to take medication, and help with many other day-to-day tasks. Are you wondering “how to get a service dog?” If yes, you’re at the right place.
If you or someone you know could use the help of a service dog, this guide will help you understand how to get one and other things.
But, before getting a service dog, you need to know what makes a dog a service animal.
What is a Service Dog?
Even though people love their service dogs and see them as family, these dogs have special rights that go beyond those of regular pets.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a service dog is specially trained to help with a person’s disability. This can include helping with movement, like waking, giving something, or barking to get help if the owner is in need of it.
Apart from offering companionship and love, a service dog can also provide various forms of therapy. Service dogs help with everyday tasks and can make things like grocery shopping easier. They can reduce stress, boost your self-esteem, assist you with work, and keep you socially engaged. So, having one of these smart animals in your life could be highly beneficial, especially if you require assistance with physical or mental issues.
Types of Service Dogs
Service dogs are trained to help with specific tasks based on their owner’s needs. There are several service dogs out there, let’s see them one-by-one:
1. Hearing Dogs
People who are deaf or hard of hearing benefit from hearing dogs. They alert their owners to important sounds like doorbells, alarms, or crying babies by making physical contact and leading them to the source of the sounds. These dogs also help their owners stay aware of their surroundings.
2. Mobility Assistance Dogs
These dogs assist people with mobility issues. They can push buttons, flip switches, retrieve items, open doors, and even call 911 for emergencies. In short, they make everyday tasks easier for their owners.
3. Seeing Eye Dogs
Seeing-eye dogs, or guide dogs, help blind or visually impaired people overcome obstacles. They use a special communication method to communicate with their owners and guide them safely.
4. Diabetic Alert Dogs
These dogs can detect changes in their owner’s blood sugar levels through their sense of smell. They’re trained to alert their owners if their blood sugar is too high or too low. This helps them manage their diabetes and avoid any future mishappening.
5. Psychiatric Service Dogs
These dogs help people with mental illnesses like PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. They can perform tasks like turning on lights, providing comfort during anxiety attacks, reminding their owners to take medication, and more.
It is important to choose the right service dog for your needs. Consider what kind of help you need to find the best service dogs.
What’s the Eligibility to Have a Service Dog?
If you want to qualify for a service dog, you need to meet certain requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). First, you must have a written letterhead or note from a licensed healthcare provider that confirms your disability and the need for having a service dog to help with it. The note should explain that your disability requires a service dog to help with specific tasks. It includes checking blood sugar levels for diabetics or helping mobility for those with physical disabilities.
Each service dog organization might have its own additional requirements. These can include proof of your disability, your ability to care for the dog (like providing food and medical care), and sometimes participating in the dog’s training. Because there is a high demand for service dogs, meeting these criteria is necessary to increase your chances of getting one. For the latest requirements, check the ADA website and contact the service dog organizations directly.
How to Make Your Dog a Service Dog
1. Assess Your Dog’s Temperament and Health
Before training your dog as a service dog, evaluate their temperament and health. They should be calm, obedient, and able to focus in various environments.
2. Basic Obedience Training
Start with basic obedience training. Your dog should master commands like sit, stay, come, and heel before moving on to specialized tasks.
3. Task-Specific Training
Train your dog to perform specific tasks that mitigate your disability, such as retrieving items, alerting to sounds, or providing physical support.
4. Obtain Certification and Documentation
While not legally required, obtaining certification from a reputable organization can help validate your dog’s training and ensure they meet service dog standards.
5. Ongoing Training and Socialization
Regularly reinforce training and expose your dog to various environments to maintain their skills and adaptability.
How to Get a Service Dog: Step-By-Step
A common question among those who are disabled is how to get a service dog. Service dogs can make life much easier for those with physical or mental health issues.
But before getting one, make sure you’re ready enough for the responsibilities of having a service dog. Pets are great because they offer love and comfort. However, owning a service dog is a big commitment. They need time, energy, proper feeding, and care. Even well-trained service dogs have their needs. So, ask yourself if you’re physically, mentally, and financially prepared. If your answer is “yes,” then you can get a service dog.
Below is a General Process of Getting a Service Dog:
1. Get Documentation: Get a letter or document from your healthcare provider explaining your disability and why you need a service dog. This shows you’re a good candidate.
2. Submit an Application: Because of high demand, there’s usually an application process. Service dogs need extensive training, and not every dog qualifies. The organization will also assess whether you’re a suitable candidate or not.
3. Meet the Provider: You’ll meet with the service dog provider if approved. Use this time to ask whatever questions you have. With this approach, you will be assured they’re the right organization.
4. Choose or Be Assigned a Dog: Depending on the organization, you may select from a few options or be assigned an adult dog. This step lets you get to know your future service dog.
5. Start Training: Some providers may require a deposit for training. Training is expensive, so it’s good to save up early. Alternatively, training a dog yourself can be much cheaper.
6. Learn About Life with a Service Dog: While the dog is in training, educate yourself about living with a service dog. As an owner, you have to learn about their needs and what to expect.
7. Complete Training: When training is done, you’ll be notified. This is the time to welcome your service dog home officially. Now, you can celebrate with friends and family.
8. Follow-Up Lessons: Many organizations offer follow-up lessons to help you and your service dog bond and learn to work together effectively.
Following these steps can help you smoothly transition to having a service dog.
What Disabilities Qualify for a Service Dog
Service dogs are trained to assist individuals with a wide range of disabilities. These can include physical disabilities such as mobility impairments, blindness, or deafness, where the dog helps with tasks like retrieving items, guiding, or alerting to sounds. Service dogs also assist individuals with non-visible disabilities, including psychiatric conditions like PTSD, anxiety, or autism, by providing comfort, interrupting harmful behaviors, or reminding the person to take medication. Additionally, service dogs can assist individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes by detecting blood sugar levels or alerting them to seizures. Each service dog is specifically trained to meet the unique needs of their handler.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should you do if you see a service dog working?
If you see a service dog working, do not pet or distract them. They are focused on their tasks, and interacting with them could interfere with their duties.
2. What disabilities qualify for a service dog?
Service dogs can assist with a range of disabilities, including mobility impairments, blindness, deafness, PTSD, anxiety, autism, epilepsy, and diabetes.
3. Are service dogs allowed in all public places?
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dogs are allowed in most public places, including restaurants, stores, and transportation.
4. Can any dog be a service dog?
Not every dog is suitable to be a service dog. They must be specifically trained to perform tasks that assist with a disability and have the appropriate temperament and behavior.
5. How are service dogs trained?
Service dogs undergo extensive training to perform specific tasks, learn obedience, and ensure they behave appropriately in public settings.
6. Is it legal to ask for proof of a service dog?
Under the ADA, staff may only ask if the dog is a service animal required due to a disability and what tasks it is trained to perform. They cannot ask for documentation or proof.
7. Can service dogs be pets as well?
While service dogs provide essential assistance, they can also be loving companions and pets when they are not working.
8. How long does it take to train a service dog?
Training a service dog typically takes 1-2 years, depending on the tasks they need to learn and the individual needs of the handler.
9. Are emotional support animals the same as service dogs?
No, emotional support animals provide comfort through their presence but are not trained to perform specific tasks and do not have the same public access rights as service dogs.
Conclusion
Getting a service dog is a big decision requiring careful planning, commitment, and preparation. Although the process requires time, patience, and money, the benefits are really worth it. Service dogs provide invaluable help and companionship. They greatly improve their handlers’ lives.
You can make the process smoother by researching well, getting professional advice, and being ready for long-term responsibilities. Whether you choose a reputable service dog provider or train your own, having a dedicated companion by your side is incredibly rewarding.
