Service Dogs for Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can be debilitating, leaving a person unable to live the type of normal life others without the condition may take for granted, from running simple errands to performing basic chores around the house to holding down a job or dating and visiting with friends. Chronic pain can result from an array of sources, be it a traumatic injury or a chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis or fibromyalgia. Whatever the source of chronic pain, most treatments for it only reduce symptoms but don’t eliminate them entirely. For this reason, assistance with general aspects of daily living and personal health and safety is crucial for anyone living with chronic pain. And this is precisely what service dogs can offer. How a Service Dog Can Help With Chronic Pain Dogs haven’t earned the title, “man’s best friend,” for no reason. For time immemorial, dogs have assisted human beings in all facets of survival, as well as provided undying loyalty and affection. Service dogs provide these same gifts to people who sorely need them, along with special training to assist the disabled, such as those suffering from chronic pain, with various everyday health, safety and lifestyle needs. A service dog can provide a person with chronic pain vital medication reminders and even retrieve the medicine as needed. For that matter, a service dog can retrieve any number of essential items for daily living, such as a ringing cell phone or a TV remote, when the pain is or would be too much to bear to do it oneself. Other ways a service dog can help a person with mobility issues from chronic pain include: Turning off an alarm clock Answering the doorbell Alerting neighbors in case of an accident or emergency Pushing a crosswalk button and helping to cross the street Assisting with balance Service dogs can also remain alert for sudden behavioral changes in the patient and respond appropriately, such as by retrieving medication or seeking aid. This can be invaluable if, for instance, the chronic pain sufferer accidentally overdoses on pain medication or falls down and knocks him or herself unconscious. It’s even possible that, with a service dog’s aid, a person with chronic pain may be able to reduce their intake of pharmaceutical medications to treat their pain. Research on Service Dogs for Chronic Pain In the effort to scientifically verify what so many chronic pain sufferers with service dogs already know, researchers are actively studying the potential benefits of service dogs for various types of chronic pain. In one study of animal-assisted therapy for outpatients with fibromyalgia, researchers found that, after just 12 minutes with a service dog, patients experienced less pain, emotional distress and fatigue, as well as improved mood and reduced measures of stress. Qualifying for a Service Dog With Chronic Pain Fortunately, under federal law, chronic pain is one of the qualifying conditions for a service dog. Unlike for an emotional support dog, you do not need to receive a doctor’s letter authorizing you […]