As we get older, our health begins to deteriorate. Don’t panic—this isn’t going to be a miserable post about the woes of your later years.
That said, we all need to keep on top of our health! Preparing for what may come next allows us to enjoy the here and now, which needs to be a priority at all times.
Service dogs help with a wide range of health conditions, many of which arise in our later years. You may have never considered the possibility of a service dog, and then, all of a sudden, you can’t live without one.
How much do you know about service dogs? If the answer is not very much, we don’t blame you. That’s why we’re here to walk you through some of the most pressing questions you may have and the answers you need to know about service dogs!
Do Service Dogs Require Registration?
In short, no, it isn’t an obligation, but it can be a significant benefit. The SDRA offers thorough advice on registering your service animal. Legally, service dogs have protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA).
However, by registering, you receive an official certificate that can make any uncomfortable confrontations so much easier. Unfortunately, not all establishments that should know about the ADA actually do. Having documentation on hand can smooth things over much faster.
Are Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals the Same?
No. People often confuse the two because they are both animals that fulfill a valuable role for their owners, but they are not the same. Service dogs undergo training for a highly specialized purpose. Emotional support animals take a more general approach that primarily has to do with relieving symptoms of anxiety or depression.
While service dogs can and do help with mental illness, they do so in more specific ways. They may go through training to soothe panic attacks associated with PTSD or anxiety disorders. Emotional support animals don’t possess the same skill sets, though they may soothe their owners in more general ways.
Are Service Dogs a New Thing?
Though they might seem like a recent invention, service dogs have been around for over a century. Granted, the earliest forms didn’t cover the same ground that they do today. Understandings of mental illness were still very much in their infancy, especially on a public scale. However, Seeing Eye Dogs became established as early as the 1920s.
The sophistication of these canines has increased tenfold over the years, and their training is far more complicated than it originally was. Now they make the perfect companions for their owners, helping them live much fuller lives than they would otherwise.
Service Dogs Are a Gift
If dogs are man’s best friend, then service dogs are man’s superheroes. They help thousands every year lead fuller, more practical lives with their undying loyalty. Of course, we all hope never to require one, but if we should, then it’s a huge relief to know these talented canines have us covered.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
