Hidden Ways Service Dogs Help The Disabled

The support that we can see offered by services dogs in Florida to their humans is amazing. Did you know that there are hidden ways service dogs help the disabled? Have you ever seen a service dog working with its companion? It’s such a beautiful thing! At Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. we believe that our assistance dogs provide additional hidden supports that go above and beyond executing their specific trained duties. Here’s a list of the top ones mentioned by our clients:

Emotional Support – An assistance dog provides psychological support to its disabled partner. Those paired with a service animal often feel better suited to navigate the world outside their home. They also feel that their self-esteem has increased greatly since receiving their companion.

Socialization – People love to strike up conversations with a person who is accompanied by a service dog. Our clients are happy to answer questions about their faithful friends. This interaction leads to greater socialization. Many disabled individuals struggle with feelings of isolation and non-acceptance. Service dogs help to bridge the gap between the disabled and non-disabled.

Relaxation – Studies have shown that petting a dog reduces blood pressure which relaxes the body. Click here to read more about that from the National Institutes of Health. As we stroke the fur endorphin’s are released which results in an improvement in mood and a reduction of stress. Service dogs are with their companions 24/7 and this type of “down time” is vitally important to both partners. This effect is sometimes called the “healing effect.”

Safety – People with disabilities fear not being able to manage outside their homes. “What if I start to fall? What if I have a seizure? What if I don’t hear the fire alarm?” Service dogs provide a sense of safety as they are specifically trained to deal with situations as they apply to their partner. Plus, they are great sounding boards who don’t talk back. These special animals help to reduce the fear of being alone when out and about.

Distraction – Depending on the individuals’ disability, there can be a lot of pain experienced on a daily basis. Having the responsibility of caring for an assistance dog helps them to forget about their struggles and reduces pain levels. Engaging in play with their companion encourages exercise and promotes general well-being.

Read some of our Genesis Assistance Dogs, Inc. Success Stories to learn more about how our service dogs in Florida provide additional benefits to our clients.