Service dogs
Service dogs can play a pivotal role in maintaining the independence of someone with a sensory impairment. They can offer important assistance and companionship to boost their overall quality of life of the person they support. If you are caring for someone with a sensory impairment, you might be wondering how an assistance animal could also support them. Here we explore the different types of support an assistance animal is able to provide and how you might be able to help someone to apply for a service animal for themselves.
In the UK, service animals are usually highly skilled dogs that undergo at least two years of training. Types of service dogs might include guide dogs for visually impaired people, dogs for those with a hearing impairment, medical detection dogs, dogs trained to support someone with a physical disability, dogs who can support someone with autism and psychiatric assistance dogs.
It is important to note that emotional support animals serve a different purpose and are not considered ‘service animals’. They provide important comfort and companionship to people with certain mental health conditions like anxiety, depression or PTSD, but they do not have the same level of training as service animals and are not recognised in the same way within UK law.
Service animals can provide assistance in many different ways. For example, guide dogs can help someone with a visual impairment to get out and about safely by helping them to avoid obstacles, find doorways or street crossings and alert them to possible dangers when walking near traffic.
For people with hearing loss or deafness, a service dog can provide sound support both inside and outside of the home. They can alert the person they support by touch if the doorbell or telephone rings, a child cries or if the fire alarm sounds. They can also notify the person they support by notifying them of other sounds like approaching vehicles or other hazards when out and about.
Assistance dogs can even be trained to respond to sign language for those who are non-verbal.
The training of a service animal usually takes around 2 years and begins with basic obedience and learning in real life scenarios, preparing the dog for when they are matched up and working with someone. Their skills become more and more advanced as they progress.
If a service animal is provided by an organisation, they will be matched with a potential partner and their training will continue, tailored to the needs of the individual person so they can assist them with specific tasks. Training is then also given to the person with the sensory impairment to ensure that the dog and they can work well as a team and form a strong, positive bond.
Sometimes a person can train their own dog to support them too, though they must reach the same high standard to receive accreditation and the same rights in the law as dogs trained by approved organisations.
Life with a service animal
If the person you care for is considering applying for a service animal, it is a decision that will affect life for everyone in the home and even your wider circle of family and friends, and so is not one to be taken lightly. Life with a service animal can be hugely beneficial, whilst still being a very real commitment in terms of energy, time and money.
Like any animal, a service dog requires lots of care and attention, and there will be food costs and vet bills to consider. If the service animal is provided by an approved organisation, they will always legally own the dog and there will be ongoing training and practice required for both the dog and the person paired with it.
Also, something to consider is whether the person you care for will be able to look after the dog as both the service dog user and handler, or if they will require a service dog handler to support them. If you are caring for a child with sensory impairment who needs support through a service dog for example, you could apply for a service dog with yourself listed as the handler and your child as the user. Depending on the extent of the needs of the person you care for, this is something to discuss with the relevant organisations as you begin to explore options.
The Equality Act of 2010 provides legal considerations and protections for those with a sensory impairment who are partnered by a service dog. This means that service dog owners should have access to the same places, businesses and services as someone without additional needs, and are not required to have to explain or justify why they have an assistance animal with them. However, in practice, people with sensory impairment may still come across ignorance and discrimination that can cause obstacles at times. Informing taxis, restaurants and other organisations in advance that the person you care for will be accompanied by a service dog can go some way to ensure an easier experience all round.
Benefits of having a service animal
The benefits of having a service dog can be life-changing for some people with a sensory impairment. A service dog can mean increased independence, help someone to stay safe inside and outside the home, and also provide important emotional and social support.
A service animal is not the right choice for everyone. It is always worth doing your own research and speaking to professionals for their advice. There are also forums online where people talk about their experiences of having a service animal and where you and the person you care for would be able to ask the specific questions that are important to you.
First steps to apply for a service animal
If you and the person you care for feel that applying for a service animal is something you are interested in exploring, your first step will be to talk with your care team to get their advice about the suitability of the plan.
It can also be helpful to spend some time researching different organisations and their criteria for eligibility. In addition to any suggestions from your care team, a good place to start looking is the Assistance Dog UK website that lists many approved and accredited organisations, each with their own different criteria.
Once you have found the most suitable organisation for you and completed their application process, there will be assessments and evaluations to determine whether matching the person you care for with a service dog is the right option for everyone involved.
In many cases, demand for service animals is very high, so there can be a long waiting list or a lengthy wait period. With this in mind, it is important to have strategies and support in place for the person you care for whilst waiting for a service animal.
If they are matched with a service dog, the person you care for will also have to undertake training themselves so that they can learn how to work most effectively with their service dog. Follow up support is always available, and the person you care for should expect regular check-ins and reviews to ensure everything is working out as positively as possible for everyone involved.