Service animals, also known as companion animals provide their owners with a specific service, and are very popular with people who suffer from disabilities or illnesses. Disabilities and illnesses that hinder or prevent people from seeing, hearing, walking and many other health or mobility issues, can be greatly improved by the use of a specially-trained service animal.
What type of illness or disabilities is a service animal trained to benefit?
Trained service animals can help with many different tasks. Some are trained to help guide the blind or alert the deaf, while others are trained to alert their owner to an impending seizure or migraine. Specially trained service animals can pull wheelchairs, retrieve items that are out-of-reach and even help a person with limited mobility to balance better, and thus avoid dangerous falls. There are many other, less-well-known tasks that service animals are taught to perform, for instance, some working animals can open dresser drawers, doors and even the refrigerator in order to retrieve needed items.
What types of animals are suitable to be trained as service animals?
Companion animals come in a variety of shapes, sizes and species. Dogs are probably the most well known service animal, but miniature horses, monkeys, birds and pigs are also used. Other animal species that are often used for different types of therapy and emotional support are rabbits, snakes, cats, hamsters and ferrets.
While many different animal species can be trained as service or companion animals, dogs and miniature horses are the least likely to be discriminated against when entering a public restaurant or other business. Many businesses, like grocery stores, have complained about the use of the more unusual or exotic type service animals.
Due to the many complaints related to service animals, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has changed the rules which govern service animals. As noted on their website, ADA.gov has stated that the recently updated rules will be in effect as of 15 March 2011. These changes state that the definition of ‘service animal’ only applies to dogs and in specific cases, miniature horses. Emotional support animals will no longer be recognized as service animals under the new guidelines.
What type of training does a service animal receive and how can I get a companion animal?
Trainers establish their own training criteria for each animal they train. It is important to find a reputable trainer in order to get a well-trained companion animal that will have a desirable disposition and be compatible with your lifestyle and needs.
To find a reliable and trustworthy trainer you can contact your local Humane Society, animal shelter or even an Elks or Lions Club chapter. If your still having trouble locating a service animal trainer you can check the Assistance Dogs International, Inc website. This website represents organizations and individuals who train and place companion animals.
Many trainers are very selective when choosing placement for their specially-trained service animals. Some will even require you to provide information pertaining to your illness or disability in order to choose the best animal for your needs.
In many cases, people who meet the health needs requirement can check to see if their current Medicare, Medicaid or VA benefits will help to cover any part of the costs of acquiring a service animal. Local organizations, like the Elks and Lions Clubs will sometimes give financial help to people who cannot afford a needed companion animal.
Companion animals make living with an illness or a disability easier
For someone who is disabled or suffers from a physical or mental illness, owning a service animal can make all the difference in how they are able to function in life. Before making the decision to acquire a companion animal be sure that you have the needed resources to care for the animal, can find a reputable trainer and can cover the purchasing costs. It is also necessary to find a service animal that will fit in easily into your home and lifestyle.
Sources:
- “A Brief Information Resource on Assistance Animals for the Disabled”, Compiled by Kristina Adams, MS and Stacy Rice, USDA.gov, August 2003, Accessed 26 April 2011
- “National Service Dog Resource Center”, DeltaSociety.org, 2009, Accessed 26 April 2011
- “Service Animals Allowed”, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, SCDHEC.org, Accessed 26 April 2011
Kelly Dupree - My love of animals, especially cats, and my interest in science has led to a serious passion to write well researched articles.
