Could a service dog help my child?

Service dogs are dogs that have been specifically trained to help a person with a disability complete essential tasks and/or respond to medical emergencies, increasing that individual’s independence and quality of life. Depending on how these dogs are trained, they can guide people who are blind or have low vision, alert Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to sounds, turn on light switches and open doors, pull a wheelchair, provide balance support, retrieve medicine, and much more.

Aside from guide dogs and hearing dogs, service dogs can help people with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, diabetes, fetal alcohol/drug exposure, epilepsy, autism, Down syndrome, psychiatric disorders, and many other conditions affecting a person’s mobility, health, or strength.

Note that dogs for protection, companionship, or emotional support are not considered service dogs and can’t accompany the user in public places like restaurants, stores, hotels, and schools the way service dogs can (this is called public access).

For more information, see our full article The Amazing, Incredible Service Dog.