Service dogs can be trained to assist with a wide variety of health-related tasks, depending on the needs of the individual. Here are some of the most common types of assistance they provide:
Physical Disabilities
1. Mobility Assistance:
• Helping with balance and stability.
• Retrieving dropped items.
• Pulling wheelchairs.
• Opening and closing doors.
2. Visual Impairments:
• Guiding people who are blind or have low vision.
• Navigating obstacles in various environments.
3. Hearing Impairments:
• Alerting deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals to sounds like doorbells, alarms, or sirens.
Chronic Illness Management
4. Seizure Disorders (Seizure Response Dogs):
• Detecting an oncoming seizure (some canines sense them before they happen).
• Keeping the person safe during a seizure.
• Fetching help or medication.
5. Diabetes (Diabetic Alert Dogs):
• Detecting blood sugar changes through scent and alerting the person.
6. Allergies (Allergen Detection Dogs):
• Detecting specific allergens (e.g., peanuts, gluten) in food or the environment.
Mental Health Support
7. Psychiatric Service Dogs:
• Interrupting self-harm or compulsive behaviors.
• Providing grounding during anxiety or panic attacks.
• Fetching medication or water during mental health crises.
8. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):
• Providing a buffer in crowds.
• Waking someone from nightmares.
• Alerting to escalating anxiety or flashbacks.
Other Health Conditions
9. Autism Spectrum Disorder:
• Preventing elopement (wandering).
• Providing deep pressure therapy to calm sensory overload.
10. Narcolepsy:
• Alerting to an impending sleep attack.
11. Cardiac Conditions:
• Detecting changes in heart rate or blood pressure.
12. Migraine Alert:
• Sensing migraines before they occur and alerting the person.
Service dogs undergo rigorous training to ensure they can reliably perform these tasks. Their role is tailored to their handler’s specific medical condition(s) to improve independence and quality of life.