Ms Patients Can Benefit From A Service Dog
Dogs are special animals. Not only are they man’s best friend, but they are also great assistance companions too. These service dogs are trained in special circumstances and given the job to help people who have disabilities in the able-bodied world. People who are deaf have dogs that alert them to various sounds like a crying baby or the honking of a horn. For people with MS, a service dog can provide balance to their lives – literally.
Balance service dogs help people get in and out of chairs, bed and other circumstances where balance is a major factor. They help people maintain their mobility in their everyday lives. People with MS have balance problems as their disease progresses and the nerves which control the coordination and balance slowly deteriorate. When you have a service dog, they go where you go, even in public places. It’s the law.
Why a Service Dog for MS Sufferers?
A service dog that is trained in the matters of helping a person maintain a balance can be a godsend to you. They perform a variety of functions to make your life easier such as:
1. A service dog is intuitive and trained to sense your needs, even before you know them. For instance, you may become over fatigued but you might try to hang on anyway. A service dog will gently guide you and steer you to a chair or wall so that you do not overdo or become tired.
2. A service dog trained in the art of balance can aid in your maneuverability in and out of cars, chairs, beds and more. You can lean on them when needed and they will help guide you through your own home so that you can still maintain a sense of independence.
3. A service dog can perform a variety of acts for you so that you do not tax yourself. For instance, they can turn lights off and on for you. They can retrieve items that you have dropped on the floor and cannot pick up yourself. These dogs are also trained to used special devices to open doors and have even been known to push the elevator buttons for you.
Service dogs can be a blessing for people with MS. Not only can they be your furry companions but they truly love to be helpful and serve you. They are trained to be unobtrusive in public places like restaurants and stoic when children and adults alike heap love and praise on them. In order to perform their duties, they typically must wear a special backpack to carry necessary supplies and they will likely have to wear a special harness as required by law too.
The Best Dogs for the Job
Larger breed dogs are really the only ones who are big and strong enough to be able to handle the duties of a balance dog. They must be capable of handling extra weight as well as be healthy and easily trainable. Once past the puppy stage, these balance service dogs must be capable of staying on task, serving you without giving into distractions such as the stereotypical chasing the cat. Popular breeds that have typically done very well as service dogs include golden retrievers, great Danes and Labrador retrievers.
If you enjoy dogs and your MS disability is enough that you are having trouble maintaining mobility independence on your own, you may be a good candidate for a balance service dog. Of course, you must be willing to train and work with the dog and be able to care for it or someone in your household to help care for it.
The best way to obtain a service dog is through a legitimate assistance dog organization like Assistance Dogs International. You might also want to talk with your local MS chapters to see if they have recommendations for service dog sources.
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