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 […]

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Is a letter from a doctor required when traveling with a service dog internationally?

Is a letter from a doctor required when traveling with a service dog internationally?

A doctor’s letter is indeed required for you to travel internationally with a service dog. There are other requirements as well. That is why you must prepare well ahead of any intended international travel on which you intend to bring along your service dog.

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Top 8 Online Dog Training Classes

Top 8 Online Dog Training Classes

Whether your dog is domesticated, an emotional support dog or a service or psychiatric service dog, basic training is essential to travel on planes with your dog, not to mention for the general health and welfare of both you and your dog.

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What is ESA Letter

As per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), to be authorized to exercise the rights granted to people with an emotional support animal, you need one piece of documentation and one piece only: an emotional support animal letter (ESA letter.)

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Housing Rights for people with Emotional Support Animal

Thanks to current federal housing law, people with a proper ESA letter for housing are allowed by law to have their ESA live with them in rental or purchased property even if that property normally prohibits animals. Moreover, a landlord or property seller cannot charge extra fees, deposits or “pet rent” or impose additional requirements or restrictions on tenants with ESAs beyond those imposed on tenants without them.

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Documentation a Landlord Can Ask for Providing a Service Dog

Documentation a Landlord Can Ask for Providing a Service Dog

What can and can’t a landlord ask you for to verify your right to have a service dog live with you? The following article will answer those questions and more to help you make sure you and your service dog have no problems taking residence together in the home of your choice.

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Adopting An Emotional Support Animal Or Service Dog

Wanting An Emotional Support Animal Or Service Dog? Here’s Why You Should Adopt

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter has numerous advantages. First, you play a valuable role in helping save a life. According to the Humane Society, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats get euthanized every year. Euthanization happens because shelters become overcrowded, and there is not enough space to accommodate all the animals.

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Walking Your Dog During Coronavirus Pandemic

Walking Your Dog During Coronavirus Pandemic: Rules and Tips

Learn how to stay safe during quarantine. Find answers to all your coronavirus concerns, learn rules and tips for walking your pet during the pandemic.

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Psychiatric Service Dog For Anxiety And Depression

Psychiatric Service Dog For Anxiety And Depression: Exploring The Benefits

When you have a psychiatric service dog for anxiety or depression, you have both a companion, resource, and source of support rolled into one, furry friend. While they don’t “cure” mental illness, they can make symptoms far more manageable.

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Service Dog Types

All 12 Service Dogs Types and What They Do

This article describes different types of service dogs in detail, including what distinguishes each one from other types of service dog, the types of tasks each one performs and what unique rights or restrictions, if any, each one has.

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