5 reasons why having a service dog can make a difference

In the United States, up to 27% of adults have a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Service dogs can be extremely helpful for these people. However, there are only about 500,000 service dogs in the U.S. because professional trainers have high standards for them and it's important for the dogs to be trained properly to assist their owners.

Here are five reasons for service dogs and how they can support people with disabilities.

What is a service animal?

A service animal is any breed or size of dog trained to perform a task directly related to a person's disability, according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Emotional support or comfort dogs are not the same as service dogs because they are not trained to perform specific, necessary — often life-saving — tasks.

For example, a dog that has been trained to recognize an anxiety attack and take action to reduce the impact on its owner is considered a service dog, whereas an emotional support animal (ESA) can be any domesticated animal that helps alleviate mental health conditions.

Additionally, service dogs can go places where pets aren't usually allowed, such as restaurants, stores and hospitals.

What disabilities qualify someone for a service dog?

To qualify for a service dog, you must have an eligible physical, emotional or mental health disability. The ADA defines a disability as a "physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities." A major life activity includes:

• Breathing, eating or sleeping
• Concentrating or thinking
• Learning or working
• Lifting, standing or walking

Although the ADA does not name every qualifying impairment, some disabilities that meet the requirements for a service dog include:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Cancer
• Cerebral palsy
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Seizures

What are the benefits of having a service dog?

A service dog can greatly improve the quality of life for individuals with mental or physical disabilities. While there are a lot of factors that will determine if a service dog is right for you — including whether you have the physical and financial ability to care for it — it may be worth considering one if you need help in the following areas.

1. Mobility assistance

Service dogs can be valuable for people with limited mobility, such as wheelchair users. Dogs who are trained to provide mobility assistance can open doors, press buttons, turn light switches on and off and more. They can also retrieve dropped objects or items that are out of reach. A service dog can act as a brace for someone with balance or gait issues, such as people with MS.

2. Allergy detection

About 20 million people in the U.S. have a food allergy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. However, there are several other types of allergies, including seasonal, skin and insect allergies. Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause difficulty breathing and shock. An allergy detection dog is specially trained to detect and alert their owner to the presence of allergens, such as eggs or peanuts. Allergy detection dogs often wear a vest containing their owner's medical information and medication in the event a shot needs to be administered.

3. Vision and hearing support

Guide dogs are perhaps the most widely recognizable type of service dog. They help blind or low-vision individuals navigate the world around them. Guide dogs are trained in what is known as intelligent or selective disobedience. For example, if their owner is trying to cross the street but there are cars coming, the dog will not cross until it is safe. Guide dogs often wear a harness with a handle for their owner to hold instead of a vest.

Hearing dogs are trained to assist people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These dogs are taught to respond to audio cues, such as smoke alarms, doorbells or a crying baby. They may wear a vest that identifies them as a hearing dog, but they can often be identified by a bright orange or yellow leash.

4. Mental health support

A mental health service dog is a specific type of service animal trained to assist those with disabling mental health conditions. These can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Mental health service dogs can be trained to remind someone struggling with daily activities to wake, shower or eat; they are also able to interrupt self-injurious behavior or even guide an individual to a safe place if they are overwhelmed. Unlike with an ESA, mental health service dogs are trained to take specific actions in response to their owners' conditions.

5. Diabetic alert

Trained to recognize changes in blood sugar, diabetic alert dogs can warn their owners before the situation becomes serious. Using sweat samples, these dogs are trained to detect blood sugar highs (hyperglycemia) and lows (hypoglycemia).

How to get a service dog

If you or someone you know needs a service dog, it's key to understand the process for obtaining one. First, you must meet the ADA's disability requirements. You will have to provide written documentation from a healthcare provider that substantiates your disability and need for a service animal. You must then be placed with a service dog trained to perform tasks related to your condition, which can sometimes yield high costs and long wait times.

You can also get a dog from someone you know or an independent trainer. Alternatively, you can train a service dog yourself, but this can take several years and isn't always successful. The best way to get a trained service dog is to go through a reputable organization — some of which may offer financial assistance.

A service dog can help you maintain your independence and live life to the fullest. Talk to your doctor to see if one is right for you.

Find information about mental health resources from our larger health network, HCA Healthcare.