Contrary to popular belief, service dogs and therapy dogs are not the same thing. Service dogs undergo years of training from a young age to help handlers with a specific task. This can include retrieving medication, calling 911, or sensing oncoming seizures.
Therapy dogs, on the other hand, offer comfort to people in hospitals, schools, and other settings. They don’t have the specialized training that service dogs do, and they don’t enjoy the same rights, such as the ability to fly on commercial aircraft.
Service Dogs Assist with Tasks
A service dog has been specifically trained to assist a person with a disability or health condition, helping the person enjoy a better quality of life.
Service animals perform an essential function for their owners, and under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are allowed to go nearly everywhere their owners go, including public places like restaurants, stores, and libraries.
While there are several kinds of service dogs, the most common kinds are:
- Hearing or visually impaired guide dogs
- Mobility assistance dogs
- Medical alert dogs
- Psychiatric service dogs
Guide Dogs Are a Type of Service Animal
Guide dogs are trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles, and hearing dogs are trained to alert deaf or hard-of-hearing people to sounds, such as doorbells and alarms. Guide dog training is incredibly extensive and starts when a puppy is just weeks old.
During training, they learn basic obedience commands, as well as how to navigate busy streets and public transportation systems. Guide dog trainers work hard to ensure that each dog is ready to provide invaluable assistance to its new handler. While the training process is demanding, it ultimately results in a loyal and dedicated partner that can offer independence and freedom.
Mobility Assistance Dogs Help Owners Navigate the World
Mobility assistance dogs provide invaluable support to people with disabilities. These dogs are specifically trained to perform tasks such as retrieving items, opening doors, flipping light switches, and providing balance support.
In addition, mobility assistance dogs are typically bred for their temperament, meaning that they are calm and patient by nature. Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Border Collies are just some dogs that commonly fulfill this role.
Alert Dogs Sense and Respond to Medical Conditions
A medical alert dog is a specially trained service dog that helps people who have medical conditions. These dogs are usually trained to perform specific tasks, such as detecting low blood sugar levels or alerting their owners to impending seizures.
Medical alert dogs can provide life-saving assistance to their owners, and they are also a great source of companionship. For many people with disabilities, a medical alert dog can mean the difference between living independently and needing constant care.
Psychiatric Service Dogs
Psychiatric service dogs (not to be confused with emotional support animals) provide crucial support for people living with mental illness. These specially trained dogs can perform a variety of tasks, such as providing comfort during anxiety attacks, alerting their handlers to oncoming migraines, and providing physical stability during times of intense stress.
Therapy Dogs Offer Comfort, Not Services
A therapy dog is a dog that is trained to provide comfort and support to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. Therapy dogs are usually calm and gentle breeds, such as Poodles and even smaller breeds, like Beagles. Even Great Danes can be therapy dogs! The dog’s owner will take the dog to comfort and companionship to others.
Therapy dogs are not service dogs; they are not trained to perform specific tasks for their owners or for the people they visit. However, therapy dogs can provide an invaluable service to those who are dealing with challenges in their lives. The simple act of petting a dog can help to lower blood pressure and reduce stress levels. For many people, spending time with a therapy dog is a welcome break from the difficulties of their day-to-day lives.
Dogs Aren’t the Only Service and Therapy Animals
Dogs aren’t the only domestic animals that can offer services and support for their owners! Other animals suited for these tasks include:
- Shetland ponies. It may seem like an odd sight, a horse in a hospital, but these little guys make great therapy animals because of their gentle nature and size.
- Rabbits. Rabbits are smarter than you think! What’s more, these animals offer tons of emotional support to people facing hardships in their lives.
- Cats. Cats get a bad reputation for their independent nature. Yet, some cats can be trained to assist their owners. For example, in 2006, a cat named Tommy dialed 911 to help his owner get medical attention after falling out of his wheelchair.
Under the ADA, currently, only service dogs have clearance to enter public spaces and fly on planes. Yet, that could change the more we learn about animals’ abilities to better people’s lives.
Service Dogs Have Different Rights Than Therapy Dogs
When it comes to legislation, service dogs are required by law to be allowed entry into all places that their handlers or owners go. For instance, if you have a service dog, you can take them to Disney World if you need their help. Therapy dogs have no such rights because while they provide comfort, they don’t help a person with disabilities navigate the world.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the assistance of a service or therapy dog, there are several ways to get started. First, consult with a mental health professional to see if this type of support would be appropriate. Then, research different organizations that aid dogs and reach out to see if they have any available. Finally, be prepared to commit to taking care of an animal – this includes exercise, feeding, and training.
