Heally is excited to introduce service animals as one of its newest services! With that said, we would like to introduce to you some of the benefits of service animals. A service animal is usually a dog that is individually trained, like a personal caregiver, to perform tasks or work for a person with a disability. These tasks can include assisting with mobility, alerting to sounds, providing emotional support, and other functions. Service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are allowed in public places where pets are not.
Disabilities where service animals could be beneficial:
- Fibromyalgia
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Myasthenia Gravis
- Narcolepsy/Cataplexy
- Paralysis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Spina Bifida
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Stroke
- Vertigo
- ALS
- Arthritis
- Cardiac-related disabilities
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic back/neck problems
- Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy/seizure disorders
- Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy/seizure disorders
Service dogs can provide a variety of benefits to individuals with disabilities, including, but not limited to:
- Assistance with mobility: Service dogs can help with tasks such as pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped items, and supporting their handler when standing or walking.
- Improved independence: Service dogs can help individuals with disabilities perform daily tasks, such as opening doors or turning on lights, which can increase their independence and self-sufficiency.
- Emotional support: Service dogs can provide companionship and emotional support, which can be especially beneficial for individuals with mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or depression.
- Alerts: Service dogs can be trained to alert their handlers to specific sounds, such as a doorbell or telephone, or to provide seizure or diabetic alert.
- Increased social interaction: Having a service dog can provide opportunities for social interaction and help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.
- Better physical health: Service dogs can encourage their handlers to be more active and engaged in their daily lives, which can lead to improvements in physical health and overall well-being.
It’s important to note that there is no national certification or registration for service animals in the United States. Service animals are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are allowed in public places where pets are not. It’s also important to note that some websites may charge a fee to register a service animal but this is not necessary as it doesn’t provide legal protection or any additional rights to the owner. To get in touch with a credible provider, click here to get connected with a professional from Heally.