Are you thinking about getting a service dog for your child? You’re not alone. Many parents wonder if their child qualifies.
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, a service dog is “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.” But how do you know if your child qualifies for a service dog?
In “What Disabilities Qualify for a Service Dog?” we’ll explore the specific disabilities and criteria organizations look for when providing these helpful companions.
What Disabilities Qualify for a Service Dog?
According to the ADA, any dog can “qualify” as a service dog if trained to perform specific essential tasks to assist a person with a disability. In the eyes of the ADA, “qualifying” means a dog is granted public access because it performs a specific purpose.
If you’re working with a service dog organization, contact them regarding specific requirements to qualify for their service dog program.
Types of Service Dogs
There are many types of service dogs, each trained to assist with your child’s specific needs. Some types of service dogs include:
- Autism Assistance Dog
- Mobility Assistance Dog
- Epilepsy Service Dog
- Guide Dog
- Psychiatric Service Dog
- Hearing Dog
- Medical Alert Dog
Autism Assistance Dog
A trained autism assistance dog provides unwavering friendship, companionship, protection, comfort, and other benefits that improve the quality of your autistic child’s life.
With your child’s service dog by their side, its stabilizing presence in social situations gives your child the confidence to do their best in social interactions, thereby reducing stress.
Your child’s loyal friend also prevents them from wandering and blocks them from self-harm activities. It can also alert parents of sounds their child makes when they need help, such as crying or distress calls.
Mobility Service Dog
A mobility service dog supports your child by assisting with balance and strength. Mobility issues, ranging from neurological conditions to bone/muscular weakness to painful conditions, are greatly alleviated by a mobility service dog’s training. They can be trained to:
- Pick up and carry items like lunch bags, umbrellas, hats, and toys
- Open automatic doors
- Answer the door when someone knocks
- Assist your child in getting up and down stairs
Epilepsy Service Dog
The ADA describes an Epilepsy service dog as “a dog trained to detect the onset of a seizure and then help your child remain safe during the seizure.” There are two common types of Epilepsy service dogs:
- Seizure Response Dogs: Assist your child during or after a seizure.
- Seizure Alert Dogs: Detect when a seizure is about to occur and warn your child by blocking their movement to prevent falls and injuries.
You can learn more about Epilepsy service dogs in our article here.
Guide Dog
A guide dog helps people with visual impairments get to where they need to go, inside and outside the home. They are trained to be your child’s eyes and help them navigate the world safely, including:
- Navigating street corners to get to the bus stop
- Guarding your child while crossing intersections
- Guiding them around obstacles
- Going up and down stairs
- Watching your child’s steps
Psychiatric Service Dog
A psychiatric service dog provides physical and emotional support for conditions such as anxiety disorders, PTSD, severe depression, and other psychiatric disabilities. They can:
- Calm a child with PTSD during an anxiety attack.
- Enable your child to recuperate or shorten the attack.
Benefits include improved PTSD symptoms, reduced anxiety, better sleep, and less reliance on medication.
Hearing Dog
A hearing assistance dog is trained to help your child by alerting them to important sounds like smoke alarms, the microwave, the doorbell, a ringing telephone, and other sounds. A hearing dog is typically trained to perform up to 40 tasks.
Medical Alert Dog
A medical alert dog is trained to warn your child of an impending medical emergency and respond to the emergency. For example, a cardiac alert dog can detect heartbeat and blood pressure anomalies and warn your child to take medication. The medical alert dog can also alert your child if their blood sugar becomes low or help with other serious health conditions to prevent or manage them.
Do Service Dogs Have to be Certified?
The ADA does not require service dogs to be certified. However, two important assessments can demonstrate a dog’s suitability for public access and being around people:
- Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Test: The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers this test, which evaluates a dog’s basic obedience and manners in various situations.
- Public Access Test: Developed by service dog training organizations, this test evaluates a dog’s ability to function as a service dog in public places.
While not mandatory by law, passing these tests can provide valuable evidence that your child’s service dog is well-trained and prepared for public access.
How to Get a Service Dog
- Consult with your child’s doctor: Discuss whether a service dog would benefit your child’s needs and get a written recommendation. While certification of the service dog is not necessary, ensuring they have a letter from their doctor is highly recommended for legal protection.
- Research service dog organizations: Look for reputable organizations specializing in training dogs for your child’s disability. Note that eligibility requirements can vary between organizations.
- Apply and be placed on a waiting list: The wait can vary depending on the organization and your child’s needs.
- Training and placement: Once matched with a dog, your family will undergo extensive training to work effectively with your new service dog.
A service dog can be a life-enhancing addition for your child, offering loyal companionship and valuable support through specialized training.
If you have questions about service dogs and whether they might be right for your child and family, consult your child’s doctor and explore reputable service dog organizations. Assistance Dogs International can help you find reputable organizations.
Looking for more insights? Check out these related articles for helpful insights:
These articles can guide you in understanding specific types of service dogs and help you choose the best dog for your child’s needs.
