Mobility impairments create various challenges in attending to daily activities. Assistive technology devices, such as wheelchairs, can address these challenges. However, risks and difficulties are still present despite the advantages of these devices. Another form of narrowing these gaps is through a service dog.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service dog is a trained dog that performs tasks and aids individuals with disabilities. A service dog assists those with disabilities by opening doors, pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped things, or facilitating mobility.
Service dogs provide not only physical benefits but also psychosocial benefits. The psychosocial benefits of service dogs create positive changes in the emotional, school/occupational, or social aspects of individuals with disabilities, improving quality of life. Aside from the companionship that service dogs provide, people with physical disabilities also share improved social interactions. With the presence of service dogs, individuals with disabilities are most likely to be smiled at or approached by strangers, promoting self-confidence, independence, community integration, and others. Along with the other benefits, there are also drawbacks to acquiring service dogs.
Benefits of service dogs
Physical benefits
- Signals or notifies the individual of an incoming seizure or in the event of illness, fall or danger
- Gets help during a medical emergency
- Assists in mobility, balance, or tasks
- Retrieves objects that are difficult to reach
Psychosocial benefits
- Acts as a companion or friend
- Provides emotional comfort and support
- Connects or being in tune with the individual’s feelings
- Assist with anxiety management
- Instills a sense of confidence and motivation
- Decrease loneliness and increases feelings of joy and happiness
- Provides a feeling of security or safety
- Facilitates freedom and independence
- Decrease family members’ stress and worry
Social benefits
- Fosters community integration
- Improves communication with family, friends, or strangers
- Provides positive attention from the public
- Allows individuals to feel normal and approachable in public
- Allows people to see past the disability
Drawbacks of service dog ownership
- Additional responsibility or burden for the owners in providing the general or specific needs of the service dogs
- Unwanted attention from others or often gets stopped by many people, especially when in rush
- Emotional distress, particularly in cases of deaths or separations
- Environmental restrictions such as lack of access to public places or people are allergic to dogs
- Lack of general knowledge or education about service dogs
- Unwanted service dog behaviour such as hyperactivity
- Complex and difficult process in acquiring service dogs
Service dog ownership is not an easy decision because it requires a lot of considerations. Rehabilitation professionals may also be apprehensive in recommending service dogs because they cannot test the dogs with the users, unlike assistive devices such as crutches or wheelchairs.
Several drawbacks can hinder individuals from acquiring service dogs, but the positive benefits still outweigh the negative impacts. The psychosocial benefits of service dogs, such as companionship and emotional comfort, play a big part in alleviating the effects of a disability. Society or other people may have turned their backs on individuals with disabilities, but service dogs are there for them during their tough times. This benefit holds more significance in the lives of individuals with disabilities. The process of service dog ownership can be complex and challenging, but it is still an option that can be explored and considered in improving the quality of life.
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